We can’t believe that it is already July! We hope all of our patients had a safe and fun holiday weekend.
Summer and Food Allergies
With the summer weather heating up, many families are spending time at barbeques, the pool, the beach, and at sleepaway and day camps. With COVID rates at an all-time low and vaccination rates high, many families are choosing to travel this summer. However, if you or a family member has food allergy, it might be difficult to stick to your routine, remember your medicines, and have your go-to snacks on the ready. Always be vigilant at buffets, parties, relatives’ homes, hotels and restaurants that you are not familiar with.
It is helpful to carry a card with information about your food allergy. Waiters and chefs will be appreciative of the written information clearly spelling out the allergy and the danger posed.
Always carry your medication! We cannot stress this enough. We here at Schreiber Allergy recommend always having a “medication pack” on hand, containing information as well as your emergency medications. For most patients, this includes a list of food allergies, your allergy action plan, liquid Benadryl and/or liquid Zyrtec, an epinephrine autoinjector, and for some, an albuterol inhaler.
Never let your guard down, always read labels and don’t be embarrassed to ask questions.
Summer and Pollen Allergies
For some, pesky allergy symptoms don’t disappear with May’s showers. While bothersome grass pollens are usually gone by late June/early July, other common triggers arise. Strong winds stir up molds and pollens. Outdoor molds contribute to most summer symptoms, until weeds begin to pollinate in early August.
If you are experiencing summer allergy symptoms, such as sinus congestion, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, and itchy, watery eyes, keep the following tips in mind:
· Track pollen counts
· Keep doors/ windows closed to reduce the amount of pollen and mold coming indoors
· Switch out air filters seasonally
· Wash bedding and vacuum carpets and rugs
· Shower and change clothes when you come in from working or enjoying time outside
· Keep an eye on humidity levels in your house
Summer and Stings
Certain people are more susceptible to biting and stinging pests than others, and sweet-smelling perfumes and bright clothing are known to attract stinging insects.
Most patients, after getting stung by something like a wasp, bee or hornet, can experience redness and swelling at the site of the sting. The area might be itchy or painful. For these types of reactions, supportive care with application of ice and 1% hydrocortisone cream, in addition to taking oral ibuprofen and an oral antihistamine, is recommended. This reaction is not considered an allergy.
However, 2 million Americans are truly allergic to stinging insects and many of these patients are at risk of suffering life-threatening reactions to insect venom. If you experience facial swelling, difficulty breathing or another unusual reaction after insect stings, call 911 and receive immediate emergency care. These individuals will need to carry epinephrine and possibly receive allergy shots.
Summer and Sunscreen
We have so many patients with sensitive skin, also with eczema, and allergies to all sorts of added ingredients. The best sunscreens that provide minimal irritation, sun protection, safety AND stop UV rays from causing free-radical damage in the skin are the mineral based sunscreens with zinc oxide and/or titanium oxide as the main ingredients.
Here are some of our favorite brands of sunscreens.
Vanicream
Cerave
Cetaphil
Attitude
Biossance
Raw Elements
Earth Mama
Badger
Blue Lizard
ThinkSport and ThinkBaby
Babo Botanicals
California Baby
Honest
Coola
Beauty Counter
Goddess Garden
KINeSYS
Alba Botanical
Babyganics
Bare Republic