Monthly Archives: October 2017

How to Select the Right Allergist

How to Select the Right AllergistAn allergist is a professional trained to identify the source of your allergy’s symptoms, treat it and help you feel better again. If you need to see an allergist, you possibly have already seen your primary healthcare doctor and may have already undergone some kind of medical testing. However, finding the right allergist can seem daunting at first, but your health and quality of life depend on it. So how do you find the best allergist who is right for you? Here are some important factors to look out for.

1. Board Certification

First, the allergist of your choice should be someone who has a board certificate. This can be complicated since anyone can claim to be a “board certified allergist”. For example, someone who is actually board-certified in the field of internal medicine can present himself as an “allergist” even in absence of the certification provided by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology (ABAI). Another example is of otolaryngologists, who also call themselves “board-certified allergists”, however, they are not ABAI certified. It is therefore important that you specifically inquire about ABAI certification, or check it for yourself at www.certificationmatters.org.

2. Referrals

Begin your search for the right allergist with the list of referrals from your specialist or primary care doctor. Friends, family, and other healthcare experts are also reliable sources for recommendations. Remember to not rush things and instead take it slow; do your research and thoroughly go through the doctor’s experience and credentials.

3. Experience

When you are faced with an allergy or immune system disorder, experience highly matters. The more experienced an allergist is in dealing with a specific procedure or condition, the better results you are likely to get. Inquire about the number of patients who have the same condition as yours, ask the number of procedures the doctor has carried out and see if there are any complication rates present – problems both encountered by the doctor as well as your risk of complications.

4. Gender

If you are to receive the best treatment, it is extremely important for you to be comfortable with your allergist’s gender since you will explicitly need to discuss personal information. Make sure to inquire the allergist about his/her recent experience and training particularly related to your symptoms and gender. Since gender matters a lot in some kinds of care, allergists are specializing more and more in caring for men and women differently.

5. Your Insurance Plan

Your insurance coverage is a serious matter. For you to receive the most insurance advantages and pay the least out-of-pocket expense for your treatment, you might need to go to an allergist who participates in your plan.

If you are experiencing severe allergies and need to see a doctor real quick, make sure to contact us today for we will help you schedule an appointment with the best allergist in New York!

Call our offices at 212-319-5282 to schedule an appointment with the best allergist in New York City.

The Common Causes of Food Allergies

An allergy occurs when the immune system becomes suddenly reactive to a particular substance that is not detrimental to most individuals. In the case of food allergies, the body adversely reacts to a certain food protein. For some people, an allergic reaction to a particular food may be uncomfortable but not serious. For other people, however, food allergy can be scary and even fatal. Symptoms of food allergy start to take place after a couple of minutes to a couple of hours after consuming the offending food.

Common Symptoms of Food Allergy

  • Itching or tingling in the mouth
  • Eczema, hives or itching
  • Swelling of the tongue, lips, throat, and face or other body parts
  • Diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting or nausea
  • Fainting, lightheadedness, or dizziness
  • Itchy, red, watery eyes
  • Sneezing, stuffy nose, or a dry cough
  • Funny taste in mouth

    Causes of Food Allergy

When you are allergic to a certain food, your immune system sees a specific substance in food as something dangerous. As a preventative response, the immune system stimulates cells to release an antibody called immunoglobulin to normalize the allergy-causing substance (the allergen).

The next time you consume even the tiniest amount of that food, the immunoglobulin antibodies will sense and send a signal to your immune system to release a chemical known as histamine, along with other chemicals, in your bloodstream. These chemicals and histamine are the ones responsible for causing allergy symptoms.

In adults, most of the food allergies are stimulated by certain proteins found in:

  • Peanuts
  • Gelatin
  • Corn
  • Seeds, usually poppy, sunflower, and sesame
  • Meet- chicken, pork, mutton, and beef
  • Shellfish, like crab, lobster, and shrimp
  • Fish
  • Tree nuts, like pecans and walnuts

In children, most of the food allergies are stimulated by certain proteins found in:

  • Eggs
  • Tree nuts
  • Peanuts
  • Soy
  • Wheat
  • Cow’s milk
  • Pollen-food Allergy Syndrome

Pollen-food allergy syndrome, which is also known as oral allergy syndrome, mostly affects people with hay fever. In this condition, certain fresh veggies or fruits or spices or nuts can spark an allergic reaction that results in a tingling or itching mouth. In severe cases, the reaction can result in throat swelling or even anaphylaxis.

The presence of proteins in certain vegetables, fruits, spices and nuts cause the reaction since they are similar to allergens found in certain types of pollens.

Exercise-induced food allergy

Consuming certain types of food may cause in some individuals to feel lightheaded and itchy right after they start exercising. Severe instances may involve hives or even anaphylaxis. Not having anything for a few hours before exercising and staying away from certain foods may help avoid this problem.

Seeing an allergist

Contact an allergist or a doctor if you experience any of the above allergy symptoms soon after consuming food. Get in touch with us today, and we will help you schedule an appointment with the best Allergist in all of New York!

Call our offices at 212-319-5282 to schedule an appointment.

Serving all of New York City and the Tri State Area including Zip Codes: Top Allergist NYC Midtown, Chelsea and Clinton: 10001, 10011, 10018, 10019, 10020, 10036 | Gramercy Park and Murray Hill: 10010, 10016, 10017, 10022 | Greenwich Village and Soho: 10012, 10013, 10014 | Lower Manhattan: 10004, 10005, 10006, 10007, 10038, 10280 | Lower East Side: 10002, 10003, 10009 | Upper East Side: 10021, 10028, 10044, 10128 | Upper West Side: 10023, 10024, 10025

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