Top Atlanta Allergist Dr Glen Nadel Discusses Hives [VIDEO]

Hives are a very common problem that we see.

About 20 percent of the population has hives at some point in their lifetime.

Hives are the presence of "welts" that are raised from the skin and are very itchy in character.

There are multiple triggers for hives. Food allergy can cause it if you are allergic to a specific food such as peanuts, nuts, shellfish, milk, or egg.

We also look for the presence of medications that may cause hives. The most common medications that cause hives are antibiotics and non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin, advil or aleve.

Contact with certain inhalants, such as animal dander, can cause hives, specifically if an animal licks you and you develop hives than that may be the cause for your problem.

In addition, rarely, adults can have contact allergy to chemicals such as those present in makeups, sunscreens, shampoos or other chemicals that may cause hives.

Hives can very rarely be due to illness, such as thyroid problems.

Finally, hives can be what we call "idiopathic" in character. Idiopathic hives means that we do not know the cause for them, but we've looked at it and evaluated it and decided that all of the other causes are not present. This is a good diagnosis, as you generally do not want to have any of the other causes.

Treatment of hives includes the use of medications and avoidance of any triggering factors -- such as the food or chemical that may trigger them.

Generally, treatment of hives is very successful.

Allergy & Asthma Consultants PC
5555 Peachtree-Dunwoody Rd #325
Atlanta, GA 30342
404.255.9286
33.9057448, -84.3520321

5-star Review: Dr Paul S Rabinowitz, Top Atlanta Allergist

Traveling with Allergies

Traveling can be a great way to spend vacations and see the world. Spending time away from home, while rejuvenating, can also be concerning when you have allergies. Below are some tips for handling food and environmental allergies while away from home.

Food Allergies

When traveling internationally, food allergies can be of particular concern.

• Carry an allergy ID: It is recommended to always have an allergy ID card on you. Information on this card should include your allergens, doctor's office contact information and a list of any medications. This should include if you carry an epinephrine autoinjector on you. As discussed in our previous dining out with allergies blog, this card can be presented to the chef when dining out while traveling. 
• Translate your allergies: Language barriers can be especially difficult when you have an allergy. Take the time before your trip to translate your allergens into the primary languages of the countries you are visiting. It helps to have the allergens written down in that language and to practice how to say them. There are several online translators that can help you with the translation such as Google Translate. 
• Carry your medications: Always carry your epinephrine autoinjector on you wherever you travel. Make sure it is included in your carry on if you are traveling by plane. Pack back-ups with you as well. When abroad, know what the local pharmacies are called and where the closest one is located to where you are staying. In addition to the closest pharmacy, knowing the closest hospital or doctors office can be helpful in an emergency. 
• Pack your own snacks: There might be a point during your trip where you just do not feel comfortable eating due to allergy concerns. In those situations, it can be convenient to have your own snacks. Some hotels allow you to ship items to them prior to your arrival. Check with where you are staying and you could possibly ship a box of snacks for your visit.

Environmental Allergies

• Understand your environmental allergen: You cannot always control the environment of where you are going. But you can use online pollen forecasts to help you plan your trip. Knowing when "high pollen" season is can help you pick the best time of year to visit your destination. You can also use these forecasts to determine if vacation day-to-day activities should be indoors or outdoors. 
• Control the pollen: If pollen levels are going to be particularly heavy during your trip, wear a wide-brimmed hat to keep pollen out of your face. Shower at night to wash pollen off your body and hair, before bed. Use a nasal saline spray to flush pollen out of your nose. 
• Carry your medications (again): Just with food allergies, bring all necessary medications with you on your trip. This includes decongestants and antihistamines. Really anything that you take when at home to control your environmental allergies, you should bring with you. 

Bottom line - do not let food or environmental allergies keep you from getting out and exploring this big, beautiful world!

Call our Atlanta Allergy Clinic to get more great advice and medical treatment for your allergies:
Allergy & Asthma Consultants PC
5555 Peachtree-Dunwoody Rd #325
Atlanta, GA 30342
404.255.9286

Allergy Season Forecast 2016: Will El Niño Make Things Worse?

Spring allergy season is here.

Time to stock up on extra nasal spray, tissues and start taking your allergy medication. The mild, wet winter and the presence of El Niño could spell trouble for allergy sufferers in Atlanta, as forecasters are expecting a brutal allergy season in 2016.

What is El Niño?

From the NOAA website:

The term El Niño refers to the large-scale ocean-atmosphere climate interaction linked to a periodic warming in sea surface temperatures across the central and east-central Equatorial Pacific. Typical El Niño effects are likely to develop over North America during the upcoming winter season. Those include warmer-than-average temperatures over western and central Canada, and over the western and northern United States. Wetter-than-average conditions are likely over portions of the U.S. Gulf Coast and Florida, while drier-than-average conditions can be expected in the Ohio Valley and the Pacific Northwest. The presence of El Niño can significantly influence weather patterns, ocean conditions, and marine fisheries across large portions of the globe for an extended period of time.

How El Niño Affects Atlanta Allergies

Any year that the El Niño weather phenomenon is active contributes to lots of rainfall. Weather is an important factor in how much pollen is produced by local plants, how it's distributed and the volume of pollen in the air at a given time. The wet weather helps trees and plants develop very healthy root systems. When the warmer weather arrives and the allergy season starts, their root systems are ready to release massive amounts of pollen. Another issue is the mild winters and early arrival of spring, a phenomenon that's been increasing the past several years. Some scientists believe that more carbon dioxide in the environment may also cause plants to release more pollen this time of year. As many forecasters predicted, our allergy season arrived a few weeks early in mid-February. Start prepping now to get a jump on the season:

• Resume any allergy medications, especially allergy shots
• Monitor the pollen numbers and avoid being outdoors as much as possible
• Add a HEPA filter to your Air Conditioning system
• Use a HEPA filtered vacuum and keep your home as dust and pollen free as possible
• Keep your sheets & pillows covered during the day to avoid pollen landing on the surface and making your nights miserable
• Consider showering before bed to prevent getting pollen on your pillowcase (and making your allergies flare up overnight)

Hopefully, the predictions will be wrong. If they're not and your allergies are getting the best of you, schedule an appointment to see one of our award-winning, board certified allergy doctors. We'll help you feel better quickly.

Learn more and schedule an appointment with one of our award-winning Atlanta Allergy Doctors:
Allergy & Asthma Consultants PC
5555 Peachtree-Dunwoody Rd #325
Atlanta, GA 30342
404.255.9286

Asthma Triggers that You May Not Expect

Change of season, dust, and pollen are all fairly common triggers to asthma. However there may be times when your asthma is flaring up and the trigger might not be as clear. Below we discuss some of the more uncommon asthma triggers.

Thunderstorms

Spring time brings an increase in nice weather and with it, an increased chance of thunderstorms. Electrical storms have been known to rupture pollen grains which then get spread around more due to gusty storm winds. You might find yourself with an irritated airway immediately after a thunderstorm ends.

Emotions

Have you ever found yourself laughing or crying uncontrollably and then reaching for an inhaler? This is because strong emotions can cause a change in breathing patterns. This is a very similar response to what you would see during heavy exercise.

Stress

Stress can wreak havoc on you physically. Feeling overwhelmed or run down? This can cause your chest to tighten and for you to feel asthma-like symptoms. Panic attacks caused from stress can cause hyperventilation and a sudden tightening of airways.

Food Additives

Read food labels carefully. Certain food additives could cause asthma. Common additives to keep an eye on are sulfites, nitrites, monosodium glutamate (MSG) and food coloring.

Alcohol

Certain alcoholic drinks can cause asthma attacks. Particularly wine that contains sulfites, as discussed in the food additive bullet, can be a culprit.

Rush Hour Traffic

Fumes and pollution from cars can cause an asthma attack, so have your inhaler ready if stuck in traffic. Avoid pulling air from outside and instead try recirculating the air inside your vehicle. This can slightly reduce the fumes that are being pulled into your vehicle.

Air Fresheners

Air fresheners and other scented items, such as candles, can irritate sensitive airways. This can bring on the sudden onset of an asthma attack. Similarly, avoid paint that contains volatile organic compounds (VOC) as these can have a similar reaction as other scented items. Be aware of your surroundings as VOCs can also be found in many household and building materials.
While it is not likely that you would be able to avoid all items on this list, we hope that it will help you during your next attack and identifying what could be triggering it.

Atlanta's Top Allergy & Asthma Doctors

If you can’t seem to manage your asthma symptoms, call us to schedule an appointment with one of our award-winning Atlanta-based Board Certified Allergists, and we’ll have you feeling better quickly!