Category Archives: Allergist NYC

Can You Cure Any Allergies?

While there’s no cure for allergies, you can alleviate symptoms. Prevention is easier when you know which allergens you are allergic to. You should try various methods and techniques to avoid any contact with allergens. For instance, if you are allergic to insect stings, cover all the windows and doors and avoid walking barefoot in your backyard or front lawn.

You can also take medications for allergies. However, if you take too much medication, you may develop an allergic reaction to them. Immunologists will help you in finding the best medication, depending on your allergy and condition. You can also follow disease-modifying treatments. Talk to an immunologist about immunotherapy, and they will help you understand the procedure. These therapies cannot cure your condition but will provide relief and reduce the sensitivity against allergens you are allergic to.

Can You Cure Any Allergies?
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Why We Get Allergies

Your body’s immune system creates antibodies to protect you from harmful substances. To eliminate threats and foreign particles, the body generates IgE or Immunoglobulin E. This chemical messenger signals to cells that they need defenses against the threat. If you are allergic to environmental allergens such as dander or pollen, you might have more IgE levels. Even food allergies can cause a high level of IgE.

After some time of exposure, your immune system develops a memory of the allergen. This can be helpful in many conditions, such as responding quickly. Your medication works due to this response. However, when you are allergic to an allergen, the response increases, and your immune system overreacts. This will cause allergic symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, and a runny nose. For every allergen, there’s a specific type of IgE. That is why we are prone to more than one allergen.

Why Are Allergies so Hard to Cure?

When your immune system overreacts to allergens such as pet dander or peanut butter, it makes specific IgE, such as peanut IgE or dander IgE. Then, your immune system memorizes that allergen for future attacks—the IgEs link to mast cells. Then, the mast cells release histamine whenever an allergen enters your body, which causes your body to overreact. Hence, responses to allergens become a part of your immune system. The more you react with the allergen, the stronger the response gets. That is why it is impossible to change this process of the immune system.

General Treatment of Allergies

Below, you will find some treatments for allergies:

1.    Immunotherapy

An immunologist will recommend this technique if they are not aware of allergens you are allergic to or your condition is severe. They will inject shots of adrenalin of other allergen extraction methods. Furthermore, they might also recommend pills that you need to place under your tongue.

2.    Medications

Immunologists plan your medication to reduce the symptoms of your allergy. This will help you prevent your immune system from overreacting. An immunologist might provide eye drops, nasal sprays, liquid suspensions, or pills. Usually, pollen allergies require these types of treatments.

3.    Allergen Avoidance

This is the best preventative method for allergic reactions. In this method, immunologists will determine the substance you are allergic to. Then, they will develop strategies to avoid the reaction. This method can drastically reduce the occurrence of symptoms.

4.    Emergency Epinephrine

When your condition is serious, you need to keep injections of adrenaline along with you. So whenever a triggering substance triggers your allergy, you can inject the shots to instantly alleviate symptoms.

Can You Cure Any Allergies?
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Changes in Lifestyle

Many allergy symptoms improve through various adjustments you can follow at home.

·       Humidity

When the reason for your allergy is humidity, you can install ventilation fans in your washroom to keep the damp locations dry. Furthermore, you can fix leakages in your house to keep humidity levels low.

·       Dust Mites

You need to keep your home clean from pet dander and dust mites. Wash the toys and beds with hot water, and vacuum your home regularly, especially when you have carpet. Remember, carpets can store large amounts of mites and dander.

·       Sinuses

You need to rinse your sinuses with water and salt solution. This will improve your nasal irrigation. People use net bottles when they experience allergies from infection.

Conclusion: Consult an Experienced Allergist

You cannot completely treat your allergies, but an immunologist can help identify the allergen and design ways to avoid it. This will not only protect you from overreacting but also increase the chances of recovering from your allergy. However, recovery is very rare.

Are you looking for an immunologist? Dr. Boyan Hadjiev is one of the best immunologists in New York City. He is capable of diagnosing and managing your allergies with expertise. To make an appointment, call us at 212-319-5282 to schedule an appointment at our offices. You can also consult with our experts through telemedicine from anywhere on the globe.


Sources
https://www.webmd.com/allergies/can-allergies-be-cured
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/allergies/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351503
https://www.carolinaasthma.com/blog/what-causes-a-person-to-develop-allergies/

Best Allergist NYC

Are you looking for the best allergist in NYC? Allergies are a disaster and can sometimes get really out of hand by affecting your body’s internal systems. Hence, it is always best to visit a professional allergist who can help you out with your allergies by providing you with a thorough medical procedure or prescribing proper medication.

Best Allergist in NYC New York

New York City is constantly busy and bustling. Here, you will find some of the top highly-qualified allergist specialists. But it is not easy choosing the right one, especially when you have so many allergists around you. Mentioned below is a guide that will help you navigate through the process of choosing the best allergist. This will ensure that whoever you choose will cater to all your allergies in a very professional and efficient manner.

Characteristics of a NYC Best Allergist

Mentioned below are a few characteristics you should look for in every allergist.

§  Experience

Any type of doctor you go to should always have the experience, no matter a dentist, pediatrician or an allergist. The more experienced the doctor is, the more effective the treatment will be. Your allergist should know when and how to carry out a test and should be an expert at reading results. It is very important for an allergist to have technical experience, because without it, they may misdiagnose your allergy .

§  Sympathy

Your allergist should be sympathetic towards you so that he doesn’t only treat you like a patient but he looks beyond and tries their level best to give you the right treatment and also goes out of their way. It is very important for your doctor to have sympathy, as this trait can lead to a very effective treatment.

§  High Interests

An allergist should be completely invested in knowing every detail about your allergy. He should first listen to what you have to say and then diagnose and should be very considerate when it comes to talking about some personal issues that could be due to the allergy. Their office should call you for different visits. This shows that they are eager to track your recovery and check up for anything that may not be going the right way.

Factors to Keep in Mind While Choosing an Allergist

1.    Carry Out Research

The first thing you should do when you find a potential allergist is to look them up online. Go to their website and find out the qualification of the allergist. You can also go through online reviews that will tell you how good or bad the allergist is when it comes to giving the right treatment to patients. Doing your homework can also help you check how expensive or cheap the allergist is. Remember not to go for an allergist who charges too low a fee as they might not use the right high-quality instruments during treatment.

2.    References

Ask your close family, friends,  patients, and other health care professionals to refer highly experienced allergists or ask them about the ones you have already shortlisted. Referrals give you a clearer insight into the allergist’s experience.

3.    Research Quality of Hospital

It is important to know about the staff and the inside workings of the clinic before you book an appointment. Also, pay attention to the location; see if it’s located in a commercial or safe area as going to the outskirts of town won’t be a very reasonable thing.

Best Top Allergist in New York NY

4.    Insurance Covers

Some allergists are very expensive. Hence, you should choose an allergist who takes your insurance plan into consideration; it might get extremely expensive for you to pay from your pocket.

Who is the Best Allergist in NYC?

Dr. Sneeze is a well-known allergy center that holds New York’s top allergist Dr. Boyan Hadjiev. Dr. Hadjiev is a very knowledgeable and well-trained allergy specialist who has been a practicing physician for over 10 years. To date, he and his clinic have been providing high-end medical services to thousands of patients. Dr. Hadjiev is known to cater to his patients needs individually and has an extremely pleasant bedside manner.

If you want to diagnose or treat your allergies, schedule an in-person or online appointment with Dr. Hadjiev today.

Boyan Hadjiev, MD
30 East 40th Street
Suite 1200
New York, NY 10016
212-319-5282

Dr.Sneeze.com

Your Allergist May Be Trained But Is He Board Certified?

Allergies are common to the residents of America; these are the 6th main cause of chronic illness in the country. If you are suffering from any allergy, know that you are not the only one as 50 million Americans are affected by allergies every year.

Sometimes allergies can be simple to handle but can become severe in some cases. In such cases, don’t waste time and see an allergist immediately. For diagnosis and treatment of an allergy, you have to make the best choice as it’s about your health.

Here is all you need to know to choose the right allergist.

Basic Academic Qualification

Allergies can be life-threatening and you deserve the best physician to help you with your allergies. We cannot afford to go to any random doctor, be sure if he has all the credentials on his portfolio.

A four-year premedical degree is a basic requirement for any medical field. After graduation, an immunologist needs to enroll in a medical school for another four years. These years of hardship and dedication earns him a degree of Doctor of Medicine (MD) or doctor of Osteopathy (DO).

Becoming an allergist is not a piece of cake. The journey does not end here.

Board Certified Allergist: Training and Certification

When you are scheduling an appointment with an allergist, be sure he has undergone special training.  After earning a post-graduate degree from medical school, a doctor needs to complete a three years intensive training program in internal medicine or pediatrics. If he passes the exam –either from the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) or the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) –only then he qualifies for the next training.

A pediatrician who wants to have expertise in the field of allergy/immunology then enrolls himself in a two-year allergy training program called a fellowship.

The last thing you need to check is the certification. Your immunologist must have cleared the board-certification exam by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology (ABAI).

If your allergist meets all these requirements, he is a board-certified allergist now, and you are good to go.

Interpersonal skills

Academics do matter when it comes to search for the best doctor. But, some personal qualities are equally significant. A good doctor reduces half the pressure a patient goes through.

Looking at the credentials helps little to know if your doctor is compassionate or not. However, you will find this on the first visit only. We expect our doctors to be a cooperative and good listener as we confidante in them. We trust them with all our medical problems and difficulties. An immunologist must be friendly in manners as he needs to have an insight into your allergenic record.

Sometimes we may mistake the symptoms of a regular disease to an allergy. Your allergist must have a detailed history of your allergies –symptoms, family history, home environment –everything. An allergist must have the ability to think critically. He must know to comprehend the results of our allergy tests to suggest the best medication.

Conclusion

Now you know that your allergist must not only be trained and board-certified, but that he/she must also possess good communication skills. It can be a huge mistake on your part to pick an allergist without knowing their credentials.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment with the fellowship-trained and board-certified Allergist in Internal Medicine and Allergy and Immunology at Dr. Sneeze in NYC.

What Does An Allergist Do?

Since the weather is changing, you might have a runny nose or are sneezing all day. Your eyes might be itching, making it difficult to keep them wide open and do your work. If that is the case, you probably contracted hay fever. The last thing you should do is to worry, as hay fever is quite common. You are not the only one sneezing away. This condition affects 30% of adults and up to 40% children. This is just the one type of allergy you may have to deal with in this weather.

However, you are likely to find relief from the allergy by consulting an allergist, rather than your primary physician.

What Is An Allergist?

An allergist, also referred as an immunologist, is a physician skilled in diagnosing, managing, preventing and treating allergies. Besides allergies, immunologists have the expertise and training to deal with all types of immunological disorders, including asthma and any immunodeficiency diseases passed down from your ancestors.

How Do Allergies Happen?

It is difficult to pinpoint why allergies affect exactly some of us and some do not. Your body may react to a substance differently than perhaps your loved ones. You might develop an allergy because of one small peanut while your friend could win a peanut eating competition without any adverse effects on at all.

You may be allergic to some particular food or medication or may simply be at risk of a particular allergy due to genetics. In addition, if you suffer from asthma, you are vulnerable to allergies. Allergies are likely to hit you during your childhood or early adulthood. However, you can develop allergies during any phase of life.

How Do Allergies Affect You?

Allergies attack people of all ages; they do not discriminate. For instance, if you are constantly wiping your teary eyes due to hay fever at the workplace, you might end up infecting your co-workers. Allergies not only affect your daily routine but also weaken your immunity system.

An invasion of allergies on your immune system may compel you to stay in bed for the whole day, doing nothing. Allergies are common and in rare cases may affect your organs, including sinuses and nasal passages, skin, and digestive system, to the extent that your life might be at risk.

You may counter mild seasonal allergies on your own, but for severe allergies, a visit to a qualified allergist is must.

Types of Allergies Allergists Treat

There are many different types of allergies. Allergists have the experience and expertise to diagnose the root case of your allergy. They find out what triggered your body to behave abnormally or which dangerous invader attacked your immunity. Weather is not the only factor causing an allergy, as you may be allergic to some medication, food or animals.

  • Allergic rhinitis, commonly known as hay fever, may leave you with a runny nose and cause sneezing, itching and red-swollen eyes.
  • Asthma patients are most likely to develop allergies. Difficulties with breathing can cause tightness of the chest. If you have asthma, your airways are narrower than normal, leading to wheezing.
  • Sinusitis can be acute or chronic, depending on how long the condition affects you, causing inflammation of the sinuses.
  • Anaphylaxis is a severe form of allergy developed as a reaction to a medication, some food or an insect sting. A person suffering from anaphylaxis may run out of breath, feel nausea, experience a drop in blood pressure, or even lose consciousness. The condition is potentially life threatening.

Bottom Line

Allergies are common but consulting an allergist can help you overcome them. Let us help you determine the triggers causing allergies and treat them effectively. Contact us today and schedule an appointment with the best allergist in NYC.

Natural Ways To Decrease Allergic Reactions

The sniffling season has arrived in the US. Like your fellow Americans, you are probably coughing with tears rolling down your cheeks. In Spring, the higher count of pollen ragweed in the air may have caused blockage in your airways, a sore throat, or a stuffy nose –or all of these.

If you have any of the symptoms mentioned above, then you are among millions of other Americans who have contracted Rhinitis or Hay fever.

Nature Has Help To Offer

When the pollen count is higher, it is natural for your body to react; not to miss pollen is a major irritant substance. Your body may behave abnormally to an innocent foreign body seeing it as a threat. Your body then releases chemical like Histamine causing allergenic symptoms.

Along with medication, you can take help from various natural sources to prevent your allergies, strengthen your immune system, and nipping the triggers.

Use Your Natural Anti-Histamines

When your body actively releases Histamines, it exhibits allergic symptoms. AntiHistamine drops are easily available, but they may cause nausea and drowsiness. How about using some naturally occurring anti-histamines to relieve your allergy.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is your natural weapon to fight against hay fever. Not only it serves as an antihistamine, but may also help you with inflammatory reactions. Most citrus fruits like orange, lemons, and grapefruits have Vitamin c.

Butterbur

Another option for treating your hay fever or migraine is butterbur- a plant extracted from a shrub. If you are North American, you may easily find one for your allergies. However, it may cause minor side effects such as fatigue, itchy eyes, or diarrhea.

Pro-biotics

Probiotics may help your immune system in maintaining a balance of gut bacteria. These micro-organisms may assist your body against the allergens.

Honey

Raw honey may prove to be an instant relief for your allergy. You may keep the intake from teaspoon to tablespoon, whatever suits your body.

Warm fluids

fluids such as soups and tea may also help.

Don’t Let Pollens In Your Home

Airborne allergens – specially pollens, are the major cause of Hay fever, try to avoid them:

Shut the Windows

The pollen count is at the highest in the morning. Staying indoor surely helps but don’t keep a door open for pollens to come in. The best way is to keep the windows shut at this time.

Cover your face

Do not forget to wear a mask while going out –this will help you to inhale a lesser amount of allergens.

Wash allergens away

Make sure to take a bath every time you come back home. Your hair may have carried an allergen. Washing your face and hair may also wash the allergen away.

Use HEPA filters

Keep the air you are breathing in clean, and HEPA filters are the best choice for this.

Rinse Your Nasal Cavaties

Rinsing your nasal using saline or a neti pot helps you clean mucus from the nose relieving allergy symptoms.

Steaming also clears your nasal passages making it easier to breathe.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture –ancient Chinese technique – may also help in getting rid of allergies. To what extent it may relieve your allergies is, however, debatable.

Be aware of your allergens

Prevention is better than cure. If you don’t want your allergies to worsen with time, the best way is to avoid the known triggers.

Conclusion

While it is true that natural treatments help to lessen your allergy symptoms, they cannot outweigh your allergy medication. You may take help of nature for your allergies, but you can only treat them if you know the causative allergen.

For diagnosis and treatment of your allergic symptoms, contact us and schedule an appointment with the best allergist in NYC Dr. Sneeze.

Most Common Allergies in NYC

It is the time of the year where the New Yorkers, like the rest of the Americans, are under the attack of pollens –a major cause of allergic rhinitis. Being a New Yorker, you must have experienced the discomfort linked with allergic reactions.

According to a survey conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics, 19.9 million Americans are diagnosed with this seasonal fever. Rhinitis, commonly known as hay fever, is not the only reaction you may be facing in this season.

If you have a hypersensitive immune system, you are at the potential risk of acquiring sinusitis, asthma, and other allergic reactions. Living in a city like New York increases the danger of contracting environmental and dietary reactions too.

How Allergies Happen

Allergies occur when our immune system overreacts to a harmless substance mistaking it as a foreign invasion. It then produces Immunoglobulin E (IgE) bodies against the allergen. These antibodies travel in the cells releasing chemicals like histamine, causing the allergy to happen.

The sensitivity of the reaction varies from person to person. The allergic symptoms may appear within a few minutes or may take time to be visible. The nature of the reaction is dependent upon the type of allergy and a person’s health record.

Is There Any Allergen Distinctive To New York?

Seasonal allergies are common to most of Americans. There is NO such allergen which is exclusive to New York, but we are prone to allergies more than any other American. There are several factors which make this city one of the most difficult ones to live during seasonal change –such as the weather, quality of air in the city, and the congested spaces.

Let us breakdown the common allergies and the factors aggravating them for New Yorkers.

Rhinitis (Hay Fever)

It is rare to be safe from hay fever, especially if you live in this part of the world. Rhinitis affects people of all ages. The common symptoms of hay fever are itching on the nose and mouth, swollen red-itchy eyes and runny nose.

  • Air carries pollen –a microscopic grain that plants produce for reproduction. Pollens are the root cause of spreading allergic reactions. A plant may pollinate itself, or the pollens may be transferred to another flower by wind or animals. The pollen count is different throughout the year. The higher the pollen count, the higher the chances of catching allergies.

Simple plants with no showy flowers produce the types of pollen that trigger allergies. These include trees, weeds, and grasses. One ragweed plant can produce as many as million pollen grains per day.

Male trees produce more pollens than their female counterparts. Ailantus (TK) trees, found in abundance in New York, generate relatively heavy pollens. Pollination usually takes place between 6a.m. and 10 a.m.  Avoid unnecessary outings during this time. Also, use air conditioners in rooms to filter pollens.

  • New York City is home to millions of people from different parts of the world. The apartments are smaller in size, and the space restrictions leave a little room for pets’ dander to hide. It is difficult to avoid contact with indoor pets. However, if you have a mild pet allergy, consider using vacuum cleaners to reduce the pet dander buildup.

Drug Allergies

Our bodies do not always react in conformity to medicines. Instead, the reaction is adverse. It usually happens when our immune system shows an inflammatory reaction to a certain medicine. The most common drug allergens are Pen—lin and sulfur.

Pen—lin comprises of six carbon benzene rings. On the other hand, Sulfur is found in water pills, anti-arthritis drugs & others.

The general symptoms are skin rash, itching, and facial swelling. If exacerbated, drug allergies lead to anaphylaxis – a life-threatening medical condition.

Food Allergies

New York is one of the most thickly populated cities of the world and offers a variety of scrumptious dishes to food lovers around the world. Having a food allergy is the last thing you would want to happen. If you are already allergic to a certain food, it is better to avoid it.

There are certain proteins in food that can trigger allergenic reactions. The reaction can be mild, causing a rash on the skin, tingling in the mouth or sore throat. In rare cases, a small bite of food you are allergic to can cause a drop in blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, dizziness, breathing difficulties, loss of consciousness, and life.

Bottom Line

If you are a resident of New York City, stick to the basics –keep your house clean, avoid going out during pollination, and skip the food causing allergenic reactions.

 If the problem persists, contact us to schedule an appointment with the best allergist in NYC Dr. Sneeze.

Boyan Hadjiev, MD
30 East 40th Street
New York, NY 10016
212-319-5282

How Can You Prevent Allergies Living In A Big City?

When spring arrives in the US, and so have the miseries of people affected by allergies. You probably have smelt the fragrance of flowers along with breathing in some pollen. The changing season and presence of high-level of allergens in the air have made breathing difficult.

If you live in a big city like New York, which has male trees in abundance, your sneezing season is here. After all, male trees produce more pollen as compared to female trees.

Some Common Allergies

Pollens are not the only culprit behind allergenic reactions –there are many. The air you are breathing in carries various allergens, including dust mites, mold, animal dander and of course pollens. Besides airborne allergens, you are likely to develop a dietary allergy, environmental, or a drug allergy.

Rhinitis (Hay Fever)

Most common allergy during season change is allergic rhinitis. Pollens most commonly attack your nasal passage. You probably feel itching on the nose, mouth, and eyes. You may become too tired to do anything except for sneezing as a result of hay fever. Teary-red eyes may compel you to wash them several times during a day with high pollen count.

Sinusitis

Asthma patients and children are vulnerable to allergies more than any other group. Having a fever increases your risk of acquiring sinusitis. Sinusitis blocks your nasal passages. It may also cause thick nasal discharge and breathing difficulties. Sinusitis may be acute or chronic, depending on how many days it lasts.

Food Allergies

Food allergies are complexed to diagnose. Most food allergies happen during childhood. When your body reacts to the protein in a food item, it may cause inflammation on the skin. Your tongue, face, and throat may sore because of the allergen.

Drug Allergies

You may suffer an adverse medical reaction as it is common. Sulfur and others are the most common allergen drugs. Certain drugs may cause itching on skin, and rashes may appear. You may wheeze due to chest tightness and experience breathing difficulties.

If your food or drug allergy worsens, it may put your life in danger causing anaphylaxis.

How Can You Prevent Allergies?

Bigger cities have bigger problems. Several factors contribute to aggravate allergies for the residents of big cities. Besides the weather, the air quality of your city, the occupied environment, and congested spaces may also expose you to a higher amount of allergens than natives of small cities.

Do not panic; there are ways to relieve the symptoms.

  • Plants mostly pollinate in the morning between 5 am to 10 am. Try to stay at home during this time.
  • Your indoor air should also be clean and pollen-free. Keeping the windows close reduces the chances of breathing pollens. Also, filter the air using high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter
  • If you are allergic to an animal, don’t keep a pet in the first place. But if your allergy is mild, use vacuum cleaners to reduce the buildup of animal dander.
  • Control your craving and avoid the food that triggers allergenic symptoms. If you have a severe pollen allergy, eating raw and fresh fruits may be troublesome. Avoid them.
  • Keep track of food items that cause or worsen your allergic symptoms.
  • Never use any medicine unless prescribed by your allergist. It is safe to undergo an allergy test to discover the allergen triggering the reaction.
  • Whenever you go out during this season, carry a small allergy-relief kit –including eye drops, nasal sprays, and antihistamine drops.
  • Consult an allergist before your allergy becomes a potential threat to your life.

Conclusion

Allergies have hit New Yorkers harder than other US citizens. The weather worsens when there is a high pollen count. Be prepared. Contact us and schedule an appointment with the best Allergist NYC.

212-319-5282

Do We Inherit Allergies?

Do We Inherit Allergies? With the arrival of Spring, many allergies have also made their way to America. Along with fruits and flowers, this season brings miseries for the people suffering from allergies. Runny noses, sore throats, and swollen faces are a common sight.

But, you can’t only blame the season for your blocked airways or nasal congestion. Yes, environmental factors matter but some allergies may be genetic and passed down to generations.

How Allergies Happen

Your body has an inbuilt defense system that keeps you protected from any foreign invaders. It has a force of antibodies which fights with the harmful substances. However, sometime, your body may mistakenly react against a substance causing no harm.

Your immune system then produces Immunoglobin E (Ig E) bodies to battle out the allergen. These bodies travel in the cells, releasing Histamine and other chemicals causing mild to severe allergenic reactions –depending on the type of allergen your body encounters.

If your allergy is mild, it will cause you itching, rash on the skin, or congestion. However, in severe allergenic case, you may experience varying degrees of mouth and throat swelling. You may suffer severe abdominal pain with vomiting and nausea. In rare cases, a patient may lose his life.

Air transports some of the allergens, such as –pollen, dust mite, mold, and animal dander. You may suffer an allergy to a particular food, medication, or pet.

Are All Allergies Inherited?

Allergies develop due to several reasons. Why you don’t show an allergenic reaction to a substance your sibling may exhibit is unknown. Allergies can hit people of all age group at any time. You are most likely to become allergic to things, especially food during childhood. However, some allergies sit down with time.

Some allergies tend to travel through genes; you may potentially inherit an allergy from your parents or grandparents –such as allergic asthma. Relax and take a deep breath. If you or your partner has an allergic condition, it does not mean that it will affect all your children. Likewise, your kid may develop an allergy even if none of your family members is affected.

Allergic asthma

If your airways are inflamed and you are having difficulty with breathing, you are under an asthma attack. This breathing disorder occurs when you inhale an allergen, thereby exhibiting allergenic symptoms –narrowed airways, breathing difficulties, chest tightness with wheezing, and coughing.

Genes, along with other environmental factors, play a major role in administering allergic asthma. Different research suggests that as many as 100 of your genes may have a connection to allergic asthma. While most of the associated genes involve your body’s immune response, some play a part in lungs and airway functions. There is no specific inheritance pattern for allergic asthma.

Interestingly, not everyone with a variation of one of an allergic asthma-associated gene tends to develop the condition. You may develop allergic asthma because of prolonged exposure to allergen irritants present in the environment.

Food allergies

Though most of the food allergies are specific to an individual’s body composition, you may share a certain food or drug allergy with your family. Food allergies affect as many as two million (8%) of the children in the US.

If both of your parents are allergic to a certain food –let’s say peanut –then you are also likely to develop an allergy to it. However, it is not the case always. It is quite possible that you don’t develop an allergy to peanuts at all.

Conclusion

If you suffer from any seasonal allergy or have inherited one because of your genes, do not fear. Your allergies may not be completely wiped out, but you can manage them with your doctor’s help. Contact us and schedule an appointment with the best allergist in NYC Boyan Hadjiev MD.

Do Allergies Intensify With Age?

Do Allergies Intensify With Age? Allergies affect one out of five Americans. In your early childhood, you probably have experienced an allergy to milk, eggs, fish, or some other edible. You may have suffered from other allergies too –such as hay fever, or a drug allergy. As a child, your body tends to develop more allergies than it does in any other age group.

But does that mean once you hit puberty or reach adulthood, you are free from allergies? It’s a YES and a NO.

Is Your Allergy Chronic?

An allergy occurs with your body’s exposure to an allergen. Your immune system may not have reacted earlier to the substance –either contacted through skin, inhaled or swallowed –it is now considering as an invader. When it does so, your immunity system retaliates producing antibodies against the allergen, thereby causing allergenic symptoms.

Allergies are not age specific –they can hit you at any time in life. You may outgrow an allergy you experienced as a kid, or your allergy may reappear in later life –which doesn’t go easily. Some allergies like hay fever or nasal allergies are seasonal, or you may inherit because of your genes.

What Makes Your Allergy Worse? Do Allergies Intensify With Age?

How an allergen reacts on your body and how long the symptoms may appear varies from person to person. It usually depends upon your immune system. With a weak immune system, you are likely to adopt allergies more often and for a longer period.

Some factors that can make your allergy worse are

Longer Exposure to Allergens

Some of your allergies may chide away for some time, but, they can lighten up again with constant exposure to the irritant substance. Food allergies tend to become worse more than other allergies.

Let’s assume that consuming one or two strawberries don’t cause you much trouble. But if the count exceeds four, your immune system may come into the attack –causing itching on the skin or break out in hives. Once you have discovered the culprit food, it is better to avoid it as a severe food allergy may pose a potential threat to your life.

Similarly, longer exposure to airborne allergens may trigger severe allergic symptoms. It all may start with a swollen nasal passage or a runny nose but may lead you to allergic asthma. Stay indoors during pollination and try to keep the air in room clean. Do not forget to keep antihistamine drops, nasal sprays, and eyedrops with you when you go out.

If an insect sting has triggered an allergy, the symptoms –swelling, itching, hives, or skin rash –may disappear once you are not exposed to the allergen anymore.

Deteriorating Digestive System

Your body may breakdown at any age, causing your immune system to weaken. Your digestive system may deteriorate as early as in your 20s –accounting to junk food consumption. Your digestion problems may cause you to have constipation or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Indigestion leads to allergies and worsening of existing allergies. With aging, your stomach produces less Hydrochloric acid (HCl) than the body’s requirement, increasing the risk of developing allergies.

An Already Existing Allergy

If you are struggling with an allergy which is worsening with time, you may potentially have contracted another allergy. The situation may deplete letting one allergy produce another. You may be allergic to ragweed, but if the symptoms have become severe, your immune system is possibly reacting to another allergen at the same time.

Hereditary Allergies

You may develop an asthmatic allergy because of a variation of an allergic-asthma associated gene. You are more likely to develop an allergy if both of your parents are allergic. Allergens present in the air may trigger your asthma. It attacks your airways, making it difficult to breathe.

Your sinusitis may be acute or chronical. You are more likely to have sinusitis if you are suffering from hay fever.

Bottom Line

You can prevent your allergies from worsening by taking immediate steps –one of which is consulting a trained allergist. Contact us and schedule an appointment with the Dr. Sneeze, the best allergist in NYC.

212-319-5282

Allergies: What Are They?

If you are a US citizen, it is nothing short of a miracle to be immune to allergies, as it is rare.  Allergies rank on number 6 when it comes to causing chronic illness in the country. Every year, allergies affect over 50 million residents in America, and it would be no surprise if you are one of them.

Allergy must be a familiar word to you, but what it is? Have you ever come across this thought that why allergies happen? What causes allergies to spread, and how do they affect us?  If these questions pop-up in your mind, then spare a few minutes and find all the answers here.

What is An Allergy?

Our bodies have a strong built-in defense mechanism, i.e., our immune system which protects us from foreign invasions. However, sometimes, your guard may consider a harmless substance as an invader and react abnormally.  This invader that triggers allergic symptoms is the allergen.

When your body feels it is under attack, it retaliates by producing Immunoglobin E (Ig E) bodies. These antibodies come in contact with the cell, thereby releasing histamine and other chemicals such as leukotrienes, causing allergic symptoms.

Causes of Allergies

There is no specific answer as to why some of us develop allergies to a particular substance, and others don’t. Some allergies run in the family. It does not matter if you are in your early teens or you are an adult, allergies affect people of all ages.  However, Asthma patients and children are more vulnerable to develop allergies than others.

Some common allergens that are responsible for causing allergenic reactions include

  • Airborne allergens – pollen, dust, animal dander, and mold
  • Drug allergens – sulfur & others
  • Some food items – such as milk, soy, peanuts, shellfish, tree nuts, eggs, wheat, and fish.
  • Insect stings – such as bee or wasp stings.

Symptoms of Allergies

Allergies are so common in the US that they have become a part of daily discussion. Different allergies exhibit different symptoms, but some are so common that you might get confused. How a certain allergen reacts on your body depends on the type of allergy you are encountering. The reaction may be mild to severe.

Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever)

It is the most common type of seasonal fever that hits millions of Americans every year. Hay fever may start with a little itching on the nose or eyes.  Sneezing and coughing without rest, shedding tears and running nose are common in Hay Fever. But, do not take this lightly and see the doctor.

You must avoid unnecessary outing when the pollen count is high as it is the main cause of spreading allergies.

Food Allergies

If you are a food lover, it must be difficult for you to avoid the edibles causing you allergies. Food allergies are complexed and can occur at any time. Consuming a food item, you are allergic to may cause you a sore throat and tingle in the mouth. The reaction may swell your face, lips, and tongue.

Anaphylactic Reaction

Severe food or drug allergies lead a person to anaphylaxis –a life-threatening condition. You may feel dizziness, headache, and become unconscious. Your blood pressure may drop, and your heart may beat irregularly.

Conclusion

Allergies can be managed and controlled. All you need to do is to take precautionary measures and consult a doctor immediately if any allergenic symptom appears. Contact us and schedule an appointment with the best Immunologist at Dr. Sneeze in NYC.

Allergy Season: Allergies to Look Out For

The allergy season for people with allergies has marked its way in the country. While the flowers are blooming, your nose may probably be running, or your eyes are watering –this is not the only trouble Spring has to offer; there is a lot more in the store.

You may experience allergy of one kind or another during a year. But, have you observed that every year, the count of people affected by seasonal allergies is climbing? According to forecasts, 2019 may prove to be worse than usual for allergies. The ever-increasing numbers suggest that you have to be more careful with your health during this season.

When the Allergy Season Begins

Allergies may surface at any point of the year, but some allergens – pollens to be specific –are seasonal. When the plants reproduce, they generate a fine powder called pollen. Here is a brief on which pollen may block your nasal passage, or cause itching at what time.

  • Tree Pollens accompany the Spring season in late March.
  • Grass pollens pop up in late Spring around May.
  • Weed pollens arrive in Summers (July to August) and
  • Ragweed pollen hit the US in fall (late August)

Allergies to Be Aware Of

Allergic Rhinitis

Hay fever is a product of pollen allergies. Allergic rhinitis is the most common allergy to hit millions of Americans every year. A small pollen grain may cause you much trouble than you may anticipate –from minor itching to coughing, a sore throat to wheezing, or breathing difficulties.

You are likely to come in contact with pollens in the morning as it is the peak time for pollination. If you have oak, maple, ash, or birch tree in your locality in abundance, your chances of inhaling pollens are higher. It is better to stay indoors and avoid exposure to pollen trees and flowers.

A recent research study suggests that airborne pollen count is on the rise across the globe as a result of global warming, and it will only become worse.

If you are affected by hay fever use antihistamines, over-the-counter products are a good option, but you can always go back to nature. Use vitamin C, honey, or butterbur to counter your allergy. Rinse off your nasal passage to clear the mucus with saline water.

Asthma

Asthma and allergy triggers have already marked their appearance this season. Pollen is possibly the main culprit offending your springtime asthma. You may be sniffing, and sneezing, with a thought to stay indoors until the season ends. Pollen is not the only offender; the air quality, temperature change, and an already existing allergy may also worsen your allergic asthma. Under an asthma attack, your nose, ears, airways, lungs, throat, or sinuses gets affected.

Food Allergies

Certain foods may deplete your seasonal allergies.  Your morning coffee cup, a small chocolate bar, or a processed food item, all tend to stimulate your hay fever. If you are allergic to ragweed pollen, minus melons, cucumber, banana, and sunflower seeds from your diet. Consuming these fruits in large quantity may cause an allergic reaction to worsening your seasonal allergy.

Bottom Line

Allergies are always in the season – in different forms with different effects. The allergies are more or less the same, but your body may trigger a new allergen. Seeking medical help will allow you to fight all the new and old triggers.

Contact us and schedule an appointment with the best allergist in NYC Dr. Sneeze!

Boyan Hadjiev, MD
30 East 40th Street
Suite 1200
New York, NY 10016
212-319-5282

What Is Histamine? How Is It Related to Allergies?

what-is-histamine-allergy-01If you struggle with allergies, chances are you have heard the word “histamine.” You have probably also heard about (and taken) antihistamines. Perhaps you have wondered what histamines are and why they cause so much grief for allergy sufferers.

Histamine is supposed to help your body fight off microbes that cause disease. So histamine should be one of the good guys. Unfortunately, sometimes the process goes wonky, especially when the body targets allergens as “dangerous.” That’s when histamine goes overboard and causes discomfort.

To understand how histamine is related to allergies, let’s look at the role of histamine in the body. Specifically, we will look at how histamine is involved in the body’s defensive immune response.

Histamine: A Natural Immune Response

Your body has an amazing ability to fight off microbes that try to attack it. This is known as an immune response. When harmful bacteria or a virus invades, your body is primed to respond. A chain reaction is set into motion to neutralize and get rid of the invader.

This immune response is natural and is meant to protect your body. Histamine plays a role in this defense process.

Immune Cells that Release Histamine

Your body has something called mast cells that live in the tissues of the body. When a threat is present, the mast cells release histamines and other substances to help fight off the threat.

You also have a type of white blood cells called basophils. They also release histamine as part of your body’s immune response.

What Exactly Is Histamine?

Histamine is a chemical compound that plays an important role in the body’s immune response.

Among its many other functions, histamine helps white blood cells move through the walls of blood vessels to fight off the invader.

Histamine Goes Overboard with Allergies

When the invader is an allergen (rather than a dangerous microbe), and when that allergen is present all the time – like pollen at certain times of the year – histamine goes overboard in its response. That’s how histamine is related to allergies and to those symptoms that make you so uncomfortable.

How Allergies Affect Histamine

Allergies cause an excessive amount of histamine to be released in the body. Remember, histamine is supposed to help the body fight off microscopic invaders. But when histamine is released and no dangerous invaders are present, the results can be frustrating. You sniffle, sneeze, and cough. Your head hurts, and you feel achy. And it just keeps on.

Here is what happens on a microscopic level. With allergies, the body has decided that basic environmental substances are dangerous. The body attacks a dust mite or pollen as if it is bent on total destruction. The body overreacts.

Histamine to the Rescue (Sort of)

Remember those mast cells? They have proteins (called antibodies) that bind to them. You can think of those antibodies like sentries in a guard tower. They keep a close watch for particular allergens. When they see that allergen, the antibodies jump all over it to get rid of it.

When those antibodies go to work, trying to neutralize the allergen, the mast cells send out histamine to do its part of the job. You can think of histamine as the gatekeeper who makes the blood vessel walls permeable, so all those white blood cell troops can pour out.

Unfortunately, the excessive histamine response also makes you miserable. If you continue to breathe in those allergens, the chain of misery just continues, with no relief.

Histamine in an Allergic Reaction

Let’s look more closely at histamine’s role and how this is related to allergies.

Histamine’s Effect on Blood Vessels

Histamine increases the ability of white blood cells to flow through the walls of blood vessels. This helps get more white blood cells quickly to surround and fight off whatever the body thinks is attacking.

Because the walls of the blood vessels become more permeable during this process, fluid also flows through and into the body. This excess of fluid is what causes the runny nose you might associate with allergies.

Histamine and Inflammation

The movement of blood cells, proteins, and fluid to the site of attack – whether in the mucus membranes, respiratory system, skin, or gut – also leads to inflammation, congestion, and sometimes constricted airways, as in asthma.

Even though histamine is supposed to help your body, in the case of allergic reactions, it simply makes you feel all those awful symptoms, sometimes to the extreme.

Help for Histamine Sufferers

There is no reason to let histamine make you feel helpless. If you suffer from chronic allergic reactions, our allergist can help you. He will conduct an exam and a thorough review of your medical history. He will formulate a testing and treatment plan that is right for you.

Don’t wait until your next allergic reaction. Call Dr. Hadjiev right here in the heart of New York City and make an appointment today.

What Is an Allergist and What Do They Do?

Dr. Boyan Hadjiev - Top Allergist NYC
NYC Allergist Dr. Boyan Hadjiev

Allergies can make you feel miserable. Maybe you dread certain times of the year, when you start coughing and sneezing, and it doesn’t seem to end. Perhaps your allergies can strike year round. Maybe you are hesitant to eat certain foods because you’ve experienced an allergic reaction. Or the great outdoors isn’t so great anymore because you have developed an insect allergy. Whatever allergies you have, they can make everyday life difficult.

If you suffer with allergies, you might be relieved to know there is a doctor who specializes in helping you feel better. An allergist, like Dr. Hadjiev here in New York City, is a doctor whose specialty is diagnosing and treating medical conditions and diseases related to allergies. The allergist also helps patients with allergy management and prevention. Your allergist’s goal is to help you breathe easy and enjoy your life.

Allergists Understand How Allergies Affect You

Allergies can be complex. Allergic reactions can be as unique as you are. You need a specialist who has studied the body’s immune responses in depth. The allergist knows what signs to look for, how to test for and diagnose allergies, and how to create a treatment plan that will quickly get you on the path to recovery.

Allergists work with all kinds of allergies. If you suffer from allergy symptoms when you are around common substances like pollen, dust mites, or air mold, your allergist can help. Allergists also help patients who struggle with food allergies, pet allergies, or any other kind of allergy you can think of. Your allergist knows how to help your body stop overreacting to everything around it.

If your allergies affect your skin – like rashes, hives, and eczema – your allergist is trained to intervene and help you get better. If you are prone to asthma, your allergist’s training will be valuable in improving your breathing and your quality of living. Allergists also diagnose and treat sinusitis, looking for underlying causes to bring relief from year-round sinus infections. They can even help you identify structural causes of frequent sinusitis.

Because allergists focus on immune disorders, they also work with patients who struggle with autoimmune illnesses and immune deficiencies.

What Do Allergists Do?

When you make an appointment to see our New York City allergist, Dr. Hadjiev, he will take your medical history, including your history of allergies. He will look at your family’s health and allergy history as well. He will also consider factors in your living and working environments that may contribute to your allergies.

As an allergist, Dr. Hadjiev also performs allergy tests. He diagnoses and plans a treatment that is right for your health and well-being. Treatments may include medications for symptoms, as well as immunotherapy, commonly known as allergy shots. Immunotherapy is a preventive measure against future allergic reactions. It helps your body stop overreacting. Your allergist will also help you take preventive measures in your daily environment to minimize your exposure to allergens in your home.

If you are sick and tired of the way allergies treat you, come and let Dr. Hadjiev treat your allergies so you can live a healthier life.

Contact Us Today!

212-319-5282

The Future of Allergies and Treatments

It seems allergies are becoming more commonplace and awareness of allergies is increasing. From food allergies to environmental allergies, many people talk about how much they are suffering. People who have never suffered with allergies find themselves experiencing new allergic reactions. Lifelong sufferers are finding their symptoms more frequent, extreme, and long-lasting. Allergies affect children (even newborns) and adults. In the midst of so much suffering, is there any good news for the future of allergies and treatments?

Here Is Some Good News about Allergies

  • Current methods of allergy treatment through medication have helped many people find relief from their allergic symptoms.
  • The use of epinephrine has helped many individuals recover from severe allergic reactions.
  • Food awareness and education have helped people with food allergies find safer foods to eat.
  • The prevalence of all kinds of allergies has raised awareness of the need for more research and education. https://www.webmd.com/allergies/treating-food-allergies

Allergists like Dr. Hadjiev here in New York City are working every day to bring healing so allergy patients can experience a better future.

Targeting Allergies for a Better Future

Following are just a few of the areas where research is targeting allergies to bring about better future treatments for allergy sufferers:

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a medical intervention designed to slowly introduce a small and controlled amount of an identified allergen into the body. The purpose is to help the body become less sensitive to the allergen, to help minimize allergic reactions over time.

Historically, immunotherapy for allergies has been given by injection into the skin – commonly known as allergy shots. Tablets have been introduced and approved on a limited basis for hay fever and dust mites. Immunotherapy has been most adaptable and effective for environmental allergies. It has been considered ineffective or risky for food allergies because of the danger of severe and immediate allergic reactions.

Much international research has targeted possible new methods of immunotherapy with hopes for the future. One alternative being examined is the potential use of sublingual drops. This method is still being studied and evaluated by many allergy treatment regulatory bodies worldwide.

Research is targeting more effective and rapid methods for immunotherapy. While allergy patients have achieved significant improvement through immunotherapy, the process takes time because the allergens are introduced slowly and in small amounts. Researchers are hoping to find safe and effective ways to speed up this process.

Epinephrine

Research shows the effectiveness of epinephrine for anaphylaxis. Those epinephrine prescriptions save lives. Prescriptions must be accompanied by an emergency treatment and response plan. The patient and family need to be taught ahead of time what steps to take in a severe allergic reaction.

Research also shows how epinephrine is not utilized as much as it should be, especially for children. The future of treatment for allergies will ideally include better utilization of epinephrine to help children recover from severe allergic reactions. Here in New York City, our allergist, Dr. Hadjiev, will be your family’s partner in creating the best treatment and emergency plan for your child’s severe allergies.

Food Awareness

The future of treatment for food allergies includes elimination of trigger foods from a person’s diet. Thanks to research and greater public awareness, food companies are becoming more compliant about disclosing potential allergens. Individuals with allergies have also become more aware of how to read food labels and learn what ingredients to avoid.

While allergy education for the public is still a work in progress, people are increasingly aware to be sensitive to those with food allergies. In classrooms, on student field trips, at catered work conferences, and at public events, common allergens like tree nuts and peanuts are often omitted from menus. For other types of food allergies, individuals have the ability to request alternatives, even for catered box lunches at conferences.

Allergists like Dr. Hadjiev here in New York City help to create public awareness and provide ongoing patient education. Through testing and a comprehensive treatment plan, our allergist can help you make the best dietary decisions regarding your food allergies.

A Better Future for Allergy Sufferers Starts Today

While it seems more people are becoming allergic, and you may hear about allergies more often, there is good news after all. Research, awareness, education, testing, and treatment plans are all promising for the future of allergies.

If you suffer from allergies and want to start your better life today, call Dr. Hadjiev today at 212-319-5282, New York City’s allergist who is working for your future.

Signs and Symptoms of a Bad Allergy

When the air fills with pollen, people start sneezing and wheezing. Even the most common allergies can cause extreme discomfort and put a damper on your lifestyle. But sometimes allergies are so severe they can threaten your health and even your life. It’s important to learn how to recognize signs and symptoms of a bad allergy, so you can get help.

Common Allergy Symptoms

You may be familiar with common symptoms of allergies: runny nose, watery eyes, itchy skin.

Common allergic reactions can also include coughing or sneezing. You may develop a skin rash. Or possibly nausea.

You may think you have a cold or stomach bug, but it might also be allergies. A trip to see our allergist can help alleviate these symptoms. Our allergist can determine if you have an allergy and can diagnose the triggers of your allergy. He can design a course of treatment to help you feel better.

Signs of a Bad Allergy

While a mild allergic reaction is bad enough, sometimes allergies can be severe. A bad allergy can cause severe swelling that can affect breathing. The result may be an attack of asthma or anaphylaxis.

With a bad allergy, swelling can affect the mouth or the extremities. The lungs and airways may also become constricted. Breathing, speech, and swallowing may be limited.

A bad allergy may be caused by a reaction to food, pet dander, an insect bite, or even a medication. Symptoms can come on suddenly.

Symptoms of Asthma

With asthma, the lungs become inflamed. It becomes difficult to take in air. Someone suffering from asthma may experience sudden shortness of breath or wheezing, or even difficulty breathing. An allergist can give you medication to treat your asthma and minimize the chance of an atta

ck.

Signs of Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is an even more extreme allergic reaction in which the airways and throat are severely constricted. The lack of oxygen to the lungs and severe drop in blood pressure can cause the person to pass out. Signs can include shortness of breath, dizziness, abnormal pulse, nausea, or possibly a rash.

Anaphylaxis can occur very quickly and requires immediate medical assistance. Both asthma and anaphylaxis can be life threatening.

These conditions are not something to take lightly. If you experience symptoms of a bad allergy, contact emergency medical care immediately. If you have had a severe allergic episode in the past, even if you recovered quickly, it is important to follow up with an allergist to be properly diagnosed and treated.

Symptoms of a Bad Allergy? Help Is Available

If you are suffering from a bad allergy, or if you have ever experienced signs and symptoms of a severe allergy, it is important to see an allergist as soon as possible. Don’t wait until the situation becomes dire. And don’t take a chance on a repeat incident.

Our allergist can help alleviate your symptoms and diagnose the nature of your allergies. If you have experienced signs of a bad allergy, our allergist will also help you come up with a strategy that will help you quickly in an emergency. This might include carrying an inhaler for asthma or an epinephrine injector for anaphylaxis, as well as teaching your family, friends, and co-workers what to do in case of an emergency. He will also come up with a plan to manage your treatment so you can minimize your bad allergic reactions.

If you have experienced signs or symptoms of a bad allergy, or if you suffer the daily discomfort of mild allergies, Dr. Hadjiev can help. Don’t let allergies ruin your life. Call today for an appointment and get allergy relief.

212-319-5282

Sources:

https://www.webmd.com/allergies/understanding-anaphylaxis-basics#1
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma-attack/symptoms-causes/syc-20354268
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/allergies/symptoms-causes/syc-20351497

History of Allergies

Do you have a history of allergies? How about your family? These are questions your allergist will ask in taking your medical history.

The more specific information you can provide for your allergist, the more quickly he can diagnose your allergies.

What Is Your History of Allergies?

What is your history of allergies? When did you first notice a problem, and what kind of symptoms did you experience? How often do your symptoms recur?

Have you noticed any allergic triggers? Do certain environments make your symptoms better or worse? Have you taken any steps to minimize your exposure to allergens – like modifying your home environment or avoiding certain foods or pets – and what were the results?

Your History of Allergies Is Helpful

If you are ready to get help in overcoming your allergies, it starts with you taking inventory.

Maybe you have kept a list all along, documenting your allergic reactions and anything that might have contributed. If you did, that is wonderful. Your list will be helpful as you answer your allergist’s questions.

If you haven’t been writing down a history of your allergies, please don’t worry or stress. It’s not too late. Just start with what you remember and pay attention to what you are experiencing now.

Your History Will Help You Measure Your Progress

Awareness of your history of allergies will help your allergist know more about your specific situation. It will also help you. If you can record the way you are feeling in certain environments with specific triggers, you will be able to measure your progress. You will see your allergy treatments working. That will be so encouraging for you.

Allergies can be so frustrating and overwhelming. You may feel like your allergies are ruining your life. You grow tired of the symptoms and the restrictions. There is so much you want to do and enjoy, and you feel like you can’t.

When you start working with your allergist, he will diagnose your allergies and create a very specific treatment plan to help you. That doesn’t mean your allergies will disappear overnight. But your body will start to improve.

That’s another reason it is so important to know your history of allergies. When your allergist starts to treat your allergies, some days you might feel like nothing has changed. When you go back and look over your history, you will realize things have actually improved! This will encourage you as you continue your allergy treatments.

Does Your Family Have a History of Allergies?

Your family medical history is also important to know. Your allergist will want to know if allergies run in your family. Who has suffered from what? All of this information can help with your diagnosis.

If you do not know your family’s history of allergies, don’t worry. Your allergist has many ways to help you and to find out what allergens are bothering you. There are so many other tools he will use to diagnose your allergies, from a medical exam to allergy testing. But if you do know your family’s history of allergies, it will be helpful to share it.

Turn Your History of Allergies into a Healthier Future

When you visit our office, Dr. Hadjiev, our allergist, will put your medical history, your family’s history, your medical exam, and allergy tests to work, so he can create the most effective treatment plan uniquely for you. This means a better and brighter future for you.

If you are tired of suffering from allergies, call Dr. Hadjiev at 212-679-1200 to make an appointment today. Conveniently located in Midtown Manhattan, we are looking forward to meeting you and helping you feel better.

Allergy Treatments

How Are Allergies Treated?

Allergies can be treated in a wide variety of ways. The way you treat your allergy will depend primarily on the severity of the allergy and the nature of the allergy in question. If your allergies are that serious that they could actually directly affect your life quality, then it would be wise to get a consultation and know the full range of treatments at your disposition. In this article, we’re going to give you some of the most common treatment options for various types of allergies.

Nasal Spray

Nasal sprays are some of the most common types of treatments for different types of allergies. While some can be found over the counter, others require a prescription as well. However, there are many types of nasal sprays available and they all work differently.

One of the most popular type of nasal sprays for the treatment of allergies are steroid sprays. They will work by reducing swelling and inflammation in the nasal passageways to facilitate airflow and relieve congestion. They’re the best for the most severe congestion cases and persistent cases. However, they aren’t usually the fastest acting.

Antihistamine sprays work by stopping the flow of histamine in your sinuses and nose to relieve symptoms.

Decongestant sprays are another short-term solution but should not be used for a prolonged period of time since people might start to build tolerance and symptoms could actually become worse over time. Salt sprays can be a better solution. Their effect might not be as dramatic, but they don’t have as many side effects either.

Allergy Drugs

A variety of drugs, both prescription and OTC, can be ingested in the form of pills or liquid to stop the effect of allergens. In addition to nasal sprays, you can take antihistamines orally as well. Decongestants may also be taken orally to reduce the symptoms.

Mast Cell Stabilizers

This type of medication will block the release of certain chemical releases by your immune system to prevent symptoms from manifesting. These will usually work better when comes the time to prevent certain reactions instead of treating them, so they will be prescribed before the high season to prevent episodes from happening.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is also a long-term option to treat allergies. It works by introducing a tiny bit of the allergen into the system little by little so that it doesn’t start triggering the production of immune cells. More will be introduced over time to neutralize the production. Immunotherapy can be administered in the form of drops of shots.

If you want more information about the various treatment methods and want to know which one would be the best for you, it’s advised that you consult a professional. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with the best allergy specialist in New York.

Sinusitis Due to Allergies

What is Sinusitis?

If you’re an adult, chances are you’ve suffered from sinusitis at one point in your life even if you’ve never been diagnosed. Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses, which are the membranes that ensure the well-functioning of your nasal passages by producing mucus. Let look at what sinusitis is, the symptoms and how you can treat it.

While there are multiple types of sinuses in the body, sinusitis affects the intranasal sinuses directly. The inflammation can be caused by a variety of things. It could be caused by bacteria, fungi, allergies, viruses or by an autoimmune reaction in some cases.

When the sinuses become inflamed and mucus starts congesting your intranasal passages, then you’re dealing with sinusitis. Many doctors will also call the condition rhinosinusitis, since it will usually be accompanied by a form of nose inflammation commonly referred to as rhinitis.

What are the Symptoms?

The symptoms may vary depending on a variety of conditions, like the severity and length of the infection for instance. Symptoms will usually include an inability to smell, blocked nasal passages, facial pressure and pain and coughing accompanied with a thick green or yellowish nasal discharge. In some severe case, patients will experience bouts of fever, tiredness, halitosis, toothache, and headaches.

You should also note that the condition can be both chronic or acute. If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above for more than 3 months, then you may be suffering from chronic sinusitis.

How Can it be Treated?

Treatment will depend on which type of sinusitis you’re suffering from. If you’re suffering from subacute or acute sinusitis, then something as simple as a nasal spray may be enough. It could either be medicated or just a saline condition. And in most cases, no treatment will be needed for acute sinusitis.

However, if you’re experiencing strong headaches that can’t be resolved with OTC drugs, swelling around your eyes and visual disturbances, or your symptoms continue for more than 10 days or even after taking antibiotics, then you should consider seeing a professional.

If you’re suffering from chronic sinusitis, then antibiotics won’t work since it usually isn’t caused by bacteria. However, it might be caused by a fungal infection. In these cases, antifungal drugs might be prescribed. You might be prescribed with a corticosteroid spray to treat recurrent cases. And if you’re suffering from allergic sinusitis, you can treat the condition by either taking shots or cutting exposure to allergens.

If you think you might be suffering from chronic or acute sinusitis and have been suffering symptoms for more than 10 days, then it would be wise to seek professional help. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with the best allergist in New York.

How to Tell the Difference between a Cold and Allergies

Are you the one who receive severe reparatory illness during a particular season? Well, it’s difficult to identify the underlying cause of your frequent illness. In fact, it is more challenging to assume that whether you are suffering from allergies or cold as in both of the cases, symptoms are quite similar to sneezing, coughing, and congestion.To prepare yourself for the sudden onsets of cold it is important to examine the difference between these illnesses to correct the symptoms.

These listed manifests will help you to understand the difference between cold and allergies and also provide you certain techniques of protection.

A Runny Nose

In case of a runny nose, you’re still not able to identify whether cold or allergy causes it. But if you look for consistency and color of nasal discharge you tend to understand which symptoms you are dealing with. As in both cases, mucus appearance is quite different. In allergies or cold your nasal cavity release thin and watery mucus but if you notice thick green or yellowish mucus the chances of respiratory infection increases in such case.

Itching and Rash In Eyes and Throat

If you experience Itching and rash in your throat and same in eyes then it would be appropriate to claim that it could be the onset of allergic reaction. However, in case of various viral infections, the probability of occurrence of the same onset may be possible. Hence, it is recommended to consult doctors for proper diagnose of the onsets.

Seasonal Shift

Allergies usually occur during seasonal sift due to pollen or occur by certain animal dander and dust mites while cold tend to occur in winters. However, its onsets are not only restricted to outdoor areas but allergies are also associated with indoor places as some people might allergic to invisible dust and mold species.

Duration of Symptoms

A cold usually occur at certain periods of time and remain last for 3-14 days, but in case of allergies, it prevails from short to a long period as long as long you are exposed to an allergen like ragweed and dust molds. However, if we talk about the appearance of symptoms, the sign of cold doesn’t occur immediately just as the allergies symptoms do.

Check Your Temperature

The symptoms of cold and allergies are strongly associated with each other, so it’s not easy to identify the major illness due to overlapping. But in case of allergies, you will not feel any pain and ache in the body just as you do in the cold. So, keep a check on your temperature for preventive measures.

Preventive Measures

You become dehydrated due to excessive nasal discharge, so it’s good for you to drink more water and fluids to keep hydrated. You can also try home remedies and some prescribed over the counter medication like Acetaminophen to discourage the onset of respiratory ailments. Moreover, take enough sleep for rapid recovery.

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

Fact of allergies

Many factors are responsible for experiencing an allergic reaction – and one of the most prominent causes of allergic reaction is seasonal variation and a change in crop pattern, which results in more pollination. We develop immune deficiency syndrome by contaminant and germs. But the presence of persistent air pollutants and particulates always remains on top of the list of triggers.
There are a lot of misconceptions about allergic reactions. Here is a quick review that can help you figure out the fact of allergies.

Seasonal changes

Allergies can trigger different types of diseases so it is essential to determine the cause of your allergies at an early stage as it may affect your overall well-being. Staying indoors is not a permanent solution to minimize the issue. You have to take an appointment with an allergist to combat your symptoms.

Age-related allergies

There is a misconception out there regarding age-related allergic reaction. Most people think that if they haven’t experienced these problems in the past or when they were young, they never will. Well, your body can produce an allergic reaction at any phase of life bacteria too evolve and grow immune to environmental conditions faster than humans. Also, unhygienic or a dusty atmosphere can lead you falling ill with a cold or flu more often, this is where your immune system begins to weaken. It is critical that you go see an allergist right away if you fall ill often.

Staying indoors is myth

Fact of allergiesLimiting your outdoor activities will not help you out in staying away from an allergic reaction. However, there are specific techniques that will keep you away from suffering an allergic reaction. Regularly cleaning your room and getting all the carpeting out is the first step towards becoming stronger and more immune to different triggers. You can follow your jogging routine by getting up early in the morning to run in the fresh morning air. Reducing exposure to fossil fuels will also keep you away from various allergic reactions. After performing any activity, you must take a quick shower and change into clean clothes as there are a variety of pollutants that cling to your clothes.

Excessive wiping of nasal tract

Excessive cleaning of nasal tract will not help you to get of sinusitis. However nebulization on occasional basis can give you positive results. Streaming with the salt-water mixture is also useful for pulling out of pollens and mucus buildup. But compulsive nature can lead to susceptibility of nasal track as over-cleaning can damage music lining.

Allergy shots

The treatment of immunotherapy cure allergic rhinitis and it provide you immunity against specific allergic substance. These allergic shots can cure you for a limited period in which you don’t require any further medication. But the problem is you need to take a series of injection every week to stay away from an additional allergic reaction. The most considerable drawback of allergic shots is that these are not cost-effective and it takes your too much time to cure an infection.

Bottom line

The fact is, nothing can prevent you from allergens but the only thing that can keep you in safe is seeing an allergist regularly as they can guide you on what to do and what not to do in your condition.

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5 Reasons You Should See an Allergist

What Is An Allergy?

Allergy is the responsive action of the body against non-floral invaders. When a foreign particle (bacteria, virus) enter the body, our immune response activate and release certain enzymes and chemical substances that disrupt their activity. In doing so, the released nitrogenous compound called histamine causes a variety of symptoms such as respiratory problem, itchy eyes, and coughing.

Most of the people treat their medical condition or allergies without the perception of consultant as an over-the-counter drug are easily available in the pharmacy. In most of the cases, allergies get worse with the passage of time if you do not see an allergist. Some allergic condition such as mild hay fever and Anaphylaxis could affect your overall well-being and quality of life.

To Reduce Wheezing And Breathlessness

If you are the patient of asthma and constantly feeling shortness of breath then, you should see an allergist, as they are experts of taking down the severity of asthma and other associated disease. Occasional evaluation of such diseases can lower the risk of emergency cases.

To Combat Anaphylaxis

allergistAnaphylaxis, are the rare type of disease that could affect several parts of the body in one go. Most commonly anaphylaxis reaction may occur in people who are allergic to certain food and medication such as aspire, antibiotic and other over-the-counter drugs. This reaction could lead to cause an overactive immune response and release allergen symptoms. Early evaluation of these symptoms can keep you to stay away from an allergic reaction. In some cases, the allergist gives you the key measure to check the occurrence of symptoms and guide you to treat such episodes.

To Stay Form Nasal Or Eye Infection

If you are s pet lover, then make sure they are properly vaccinated. Like the dogs, cats and other pet are the carriers of parasites and small insects that can cause server allergic reaction. Some people are also allergic to pollen and spores that are coming from grasses, trees, and molds which could lead to an eye or nasal infection. Keeping you surrounding hygienic also help you to alleviate the issue but for effective results, you should see an allergist as its expert advice give you the best treatment option.

To Determine What Food To Eat

Your foodie nature can be lethal if you are unaware that which food you are allergic to. Food allergies can cause a variety of health effects such as hives, vomiting, diarrhea, and eczema. Before eating any food must see an allergist. The allergic specialist examines your allergic response to certain substance via blood & skin test and diet examination.

To Fight Infections

allergensThe people who suffer from repeated ear, lungs or sinuses should see an allergist for a permanent solution. People with immune-deficiency syndrome find trouble in fighting allergens, but they can cope with these conditions by seeing an immunologist, as they have an abundance of knowledge and rare cases of a sensitive patient who suffers from these critical infections.

Bottom Line

An allergist is a well-qualified person that has treated dozens of allergic conditions. The person with weak immune-response is recommended to see an allergist before taking an OTC medication. Ceasing your self-medication practices will help you to live free even in bothering weather conditions.

The 5 Most Common Types of Allergies

Approximately 50 million Americans are allergic to something – be it peanuts, pollen, or animal dander. However, not all allergies are same by nature; their symptoms differ depending on the allergen, the seriousness of the immune response, and the way the allergen comes in contact with the body.

Here is a rundown of 5 most common allergies.

1. Asthma

Asthma is characterized by the soreness of air passages, which eventually results in breathing problems associated to the shrinking of the bronchial tubes, which limits air passage into the lungs. It is triggered by a variety of indoor and outdoor allergens and can cause chest tightness, coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.

2. Eczema

Allergic eczema or atopic dermatitis is an allergic reaction to a bacterium that thrives on the skin. This condition is lifelong and is often found in people who are hypersensitive to a variety of skin problems. Symptoms include dry, chapped skin appearing on inflamed, red areas; severe itchiness, and a burning feeling.

3. Skin contact allergy

Also referred to as contact dermatitis, this health complication is an allergic reaction caused by direct exposure to an allergen that creates inflammation ranging from redness to open sores. Common triggers are alkaline and acid materials, including detergents and soaps; adhesives, solvents, and other industrial chemicals; oak, poison ivy or sumac; nickel and other materials used to create jewelry; topical medication, including anesthetics and antibiotics; cosmetics or perfumes; fabrics like wool and clothing made out of such fabrics.

4.  Food Allergies

These are a blanket of allergies that are basically termed as food intolerance. There are various kinds of food allergies that are commonly triggered by specific foods, including milk, nuts, fish, wheat, shellfish, and soy. Symptoms include vomiting, rash, coughing, diarrhea, weak pulse, hoarse throat, dizziness, shortness of breath, facial swelling, wheezing, hives, etc.

5. Allergic Rhinitis

This sort of allergy is characterized by the inflammation of the nasal passages, and affects 1 in every 5 individuals in the US, making it one of the most frequently prevailing health disorders. Food allergies trigger a rather complex cascade of symptoms that include nasal itching and congestion, watery eyes, sneezing, a stuffy nose, post nasal drip, and rhinorrhea or a runny nose.

Like asthma, allergic rhinitis is also caused by a variety of indoor and outdoor allergens and can be divided into two groups: seasonal and perennial. Seasonal allergic rhinitis is also referred to as hay fever and is an aftermath of the seasonal pollen discharge. Perennial allergic rhinitis is a year-round allergy caused by the exposure to allergens like molds, pet dander, dust and dust mites.

If you happen to be experiencing any of the above allergies that may be impacting the quality of your life, it is suggested that you see a reputable allergist right away. Don’t waste time, and contact us today for we will schedule your 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.

What Does an Allergist Do?

Do You Need To See An Allergist?

An allergist is a physician who has specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of asthma, allergic conditions, and immune system diseases such as chronic cold, atopic dermatitis, bronchitis, allergic rhinitis, etc. Allergists are trained to not only identify and treat, but also manage and prevent immune system disorders like immunodeficiency and autoimmune diseases.

After getting a medical degree, the allergist then completes a 3-year residency-training program in either pediatrics or medicine, followed by a 2-3 year advanced study in the field of allergy and immunology.

The work profile of allergists involves the use of medical instruments and equipment, examination of patients, and carrying out patch and blood tests. They are required to study the medical history of their patients, assess the test results and prescribe medication and treatment plans accordingly. Often times, an allergist will need to observe the patient’s condition and re-assess treatment plans when necessary.

tchy eyes, frequent sneezing, and a runny nose are all indicators of allergies. More than half of the US population has tested positive for at least one kind of allergen, and allergies are among the most widespread chronic diseases in the country. If you feel that the medical problem you are experiencing is a result of an allergy, it is important that you see a certified professional immediately. This medical specialist has all the necessary skills and equipment for identifying an allergic condition.

You should see an allergist if:

    • Your allergies are causing symptoms such as nasal congestion, chronic sinus infections, or breathing problems.
    • You are experiencing hay fever or other symptoms of allergies several months in the year
    • Over-the-counter medicines and antihistamines are failing to control your allergy symptoms or are creating undesirable side effects, like fatigue.
    • Your asthma or allergies are hindering your ability to perform daily activities.
    • You are experiencing serious warning signs of asthma, like:
    • Difficulty catching your breath
    • Often coughing or wheezing, especially after a workout or during the nighttime
    • Typically feeling shortness of breath or tightness in the chest area

Allergies and asthma can affect anyone, regardless of their gender, age or socioeconomic factors. Although it is true that allergies are more prevalent in children, they can really occur for the first time at any age.

Even though the precise genetic factors are not yet completely understood, there is definitely a hereditary tendency to allergies, for example, asthma. In susceptible people, factors like stress, hormones, the types of perfumes you use, smoking, or other environmental factors may also lay a huge role.

If you have been previously diagnosed with asthma or are more prone to be affected by the factors above, you should definitely have a reputable allergist on your speed dial. If you are unsure of where to get started, contact us today and we will schedule for you an appointment with the best allergist in New York.

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

When is It Time to See an Allergist?

It is not uncommon for individuals to suffer year after year with symptoms that affect the quality of their life. Allergy symptoms are very common and can often be controlled fairly easily with over-the-counter medication. At other times, however, there’s more to the treatment than that. This is when you’ll need a professional to step in and assess your condition, but how do you know when it is time to finally let them take charge?

You have no idea about the cause of your allergies

If you are experiencing unexpected allergy attacks with seemingly no cause (change of weather, dog fur, insect bites, etc.), it is probably best that you see an allergist who will be able to carry out a test for different irritants so you can be sure what exactly your body reacting to. It could be either an irritant or a combination of different things.

You are taking a lot of OTC medicines

Over-the-counter allergy medication is supposed to be a temporary means of relief. If you are visiting a relative with a furry pet, you may want to bring along some Zyrtec. However, if you are consuming it every day, or taking large quantities of it, it is not healthy. Common side effects of antihistamines include dry mouth, dizziness, fatigue, and in extreme cases, kidney damage.

Difficulty breathing

Having a clogged nose is one thing, but a swollen throat can prove to be life-threatening. If you are experiencing severe shortness of breath or hives in addition to your allergy symptoms then don’t take any chances with OTC medication.

It is impacting your quality of life

Are your allergies stopping you from doing certain things and going to certain places? Do you have to wait for long for your allergy medication to take effect? Alternatively, do you feel reluctant to go out with your friends, go camping or anything similar to have fun just because of the fear of suffering an allergic reaction? If you nodded yes to any of these questions, then do yourself a favor and visit the allergist.

How can an allergist help you?

An allergist can help:

  • Confirm the diagnosis of asthma or allergies
  • Identify any potential stimulators of your asthma or allergic symptoms
  • Examine your symptoms and explain the reason(s) behind them
  • Prescribe medication and treatment plans after assessing your symptoms and test results.
  • Re-assess treatment plans and medication if needed

The treatment you receive from an allergist can range from allergy shots to a non-drowsy prescription medicine. The professional may also give you tips for monitoring allergens in your home, like throwing your pillows in the dryer once every week or keeping pets out of the bedroom.

Once you are tested, you may also choose to go with alternative treatments, like naturopathic or acupuncture and holistic remedies.

If you are unsure of where to start, contact us today and we will hook you up 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.

Five Signs Of Eye Allergies

In the United States, statistics indicate approximately 20% of the population exhibit signs of allergies. Of this amount, about 50% have eye allergies or allergic conjunctivitis, a condition that affects millions of Americans. Like a few other kinds of allergies, eye allergies rarely stand alone. They are often associated with such conditions as hay fever and dermatitis.

This may make them appear to be a seasonal problem. It can also result in confusion, as the overlapping symptoms seem to indicate a different specific health problem. On your own, you may simply treat your hay fever and ignore any signs of another allergy – one that affects your eyes.

Causes of Eye Allergies

It does not help that the causal factors for eye allergies are similar to those found in hay fever and asthma. You can also simply have irritated eyes. These may result from coming into contact with an environmental irritant. This material could be in your cosmetics or cleaning products. Other medical conditions such as pink eye can produce symptoms similar to those of eye allergies.

However, it is not bacteria or irritants per se (though some individuals are allergic to such things as cigarette smoke and diesel exhaust) that causes allergic conjunctivitis. Eye allergies result from the exposure of your eye to substances that create an inappropriate response of your autoimmune system. The material that set off your reaction tends to be such things as mold spores, pet dander or pollen.

Symptoms of Eye Allergies

If you have eye allergies, your eyes will react in any of several ways. All will affect the eye and, therefore, your ability to see clearly. The five most common signs of eye allergies are:

    1. Itching: Your eyes will itch. You will continuously want to rub them. This indicates an irritation
    2. Redness: If your eyes appear red, it is the result of an expansion of the blood vessels in the eye’s conjunctiva – hence the name allergic conjunctivitis
    3. Burning: The eyes are irritated and require relief
    4. Discharge: Eye discharge occurs if your eyes contain any excess fluid. With eye allergies, the liquid “leaking” from your eyes is clear and watery. It resembles your tears. It is not thick and opaque which would reveal you have an eye infection and not an allergic reaction
    5. Swollen eyelids: A further indication of the swelling of your eyes

If you suffer from any of these signs or symptoms, you may have an eye allergy. Before you undertake self-medication to treatment, talk to your doctor. If you do not consult a specialist, you may actually aggravate the condition rather than ease it.

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

 

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