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Doctor for Sinusitis NYC
Sinusitis
If you have chronic pain or congestion in your sinuses, you may suffer from sinusitis. Sinusitis affects over 35 million people each year and is one of the most common medical conditions in the United States. The condition can be acute, which means it comes on suddenly. Some people also suffer from chronic sinusitis.
What is Sinusitis and What Causes it?
Sinusitis is inflammation of the sinuses. The sinuses are the air spaces around the bones of your nose. Although they are hollow, they produce mucus. Normally the mucus drains into the nose. But when sinusitis develops the sinuses become swollen and mucus may become trapped and unable to drain into the nasal passage, which leads to infection. A large number of cases of sinusitis are caused by a cold or allergies.
Sinusitis Symptoms
The most common symptoms of sinusitis include pain or pressure over the nose or face. Nasal congestion, bad breath and yellow mucus production may also be signs of sinusitis. In some cases, a fever and fatigue may also develop. Symptoms of acute sinusitis generally last up to about four weeks. If symptoms persist longer than four weeks, the condition is referred to as chronic sinusitis.
Doctor for Sinusitis Treatments
Treatment for sinusitis can include both drug treatment and non-drug treatments. Flushing the sinuses with saline rinses or sprays may help reduce congestion and decrease symptoms. It can also help flush allergens, such as pollen out of the nose.
Steroid nasal sprays may also be recommended by an allergist in order to decrease inflammation in the sinuses. Decongestants may also help reduce pain and pressure in the sinuses. Depending on the severity of symptoms and length of time they have been present, antibiotics may be advised to treat the infection.
Whether sinusitis is acute or chronic, symptoms can be painful. Contact one of New York City’s best allergists today to schedule an appointment and determine what sinusitis treatment would be best for your situation.
Allergy Shots
Suffering from allergy symptoms, such as a runny nose, congestion, watery eyes and sneezing is not only annoying, it can interfere with your quality of life. The good news is an allergy doctor can provide treatment including allergy shots.
Why Have Allergy Shots?
When you are allergic to a certain substance, referred to as an allergen, your immune system is hypertensive to it. Your immune system reacts as if the substance was harmful even though it is not. The immune response triggers the release of certain chemicals in the body, which causes typical allergy symptoms.
Unlike taking an antihistamine, which may decrease symptoms temporarily, allergy shots are a long-term treatment. Allergy shots involve injecting a small amount of the allergen into the body repeatedly over the course of months. The goal is to decrease person’s sensitivity to the substance.
How Allergy Shots Work
Allergy shots may be given once or twice a week over the course of a few months. The level of the allergen is gradually increased in order for you to build up a tolerance to the substance. This tolerance or decreased sensitively often decreases allergy symptoms. After the buildup phase is reached and decreased sensitivity has been achieved, maintenance shots are often administered every few months. Your allergist will determine the best schedule depending on what you are allergic to and your symptoms.
Side Effects of Allergy Shots
Allergy shots are considered safe and serious side effects are uncommon. Redness at the injection site or swelling may occur in some people. Although rare, systemic reactions including wheezing or chest tightness are possible. Your allergy doctor will monitor you after the shot to make sure you do not have a serious reaction.
Allergy symptoms can interfere with your day to day life and make you miserable. Medications can help, but in some cases, it is not the best treatment option. Allergy shots may be a great way to reduce taking allergy medication and be especially helpful if it is impossible to avoid the allergen. For more information or to schedule an appointment with the top allergist in New York City call Dr. Boyan Hadjiev today!
Allergic Skin Conditions
Although anyone can develop skin irritation occasionally, when a particular substance causes the reaction, it is likely due to an allergic skin condition. Allergic skin conditions can cause an immediate skin reaction or a delayed skin reaction. Either way, annoying and uncomfortable symptoms can develop.
Types of Allergic Skin Conditions
One common type of allergic skin condition is hives. Hives are generally raised, itchy bumps on the skin. Most cases of hives are acute and occur shortly after exposure to the allergen. Insect bites and food allergies are common causes of hives.
Another common allergic skin condition is dermatitis. Symptoms include an itchy rash. The skin can also become crusty and dry. Contact dermatitis usually develops after an allergen touches or comes in contact with the skin.
Dermatitis symptoms may develop immediately after contact with the allergen or symptoms may be delayed. When delayed dermatitis symptoms develop, they usually occur a day or so after exposure to the allergen. Nickel and latex are common causes of contact dermatitis.
Treating Allergy Skin Conditions
If you think you have an allergy skin condition, it is best to have your diagnosis confirmed by an allergy doctor. Skin tests may be performed in order to determine what substances you are allergic to.
Once your allergist has identified the cause of your allergy symptoms, appropriate treatment will be recommended. In some instances, the best solution may be to avoid the allergen. For example, if certain cosmetics cause a skin allergy reaction, not using the products may be all that is needed.
In other cases, a person may have many different triggers or allergens, and it may be difficult to avoid all of them. Antihistamines and both oral and topical medications may reduce itching and redness.
Skin allergy symptoms can usually be well managed. Contact one of New York City’s best allergy doctors, Dr. Boyan Hadjiev. Call today to schedule an appointment.
Allergic Reactions
Allergic Reaction Causes
Allergic reactions can occur after being exposed to a substance, your body identities are harmful, even though the substance is harmless. Your allergy doctor can determine what types of allergens are triggering an allergic reaction.
Normally your immune system reacts to a harmful substance as an invader. An immune response is triggered in order to protect the body, and certain chemicals are released, such as histamine. Histamine can play an important role in your body’s natural defenses. But in the case of allergies, the substance the body views as harmful is harmless, and the histamines released cause typical allergy symptoms.
Allergic Reaction Symptoms
On your first visit with an allergist, the doctor will ask what type of allergy symptoms you have been experiencing. Allergy symptoms and allergic reactions may range from mild to severe and can even be life threatening. Allergic reactions can affect various systems of the body. For example, allergic rhinitis often causes symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes. Symptoms may be seasonal or year-round.
In other instances, allergic reactions may primarily cause symptoms related to the eyes. When this occurs, the condition is called allergic conjunctivitis. Allergic reactions may include itchy, watery eyes. Eyes may also become red or swollen.
Skin reactions may also be a symptom of an allergy. Hives or a rash can develop in some people after coming in contact with an allergen or after eating certain foods or taking certain medications. In more serious allergic reactions, symptoms may include chest tightness, wheezing, swelling of the throat and difficulty breathing.
Allergy Treatment
Your allergy doctor will determine what type of treatment is best for your particular allergy and symptoms. Treatments may include over the counter medication and prescription decongestants and antihistamines. In some cases, allergy shots may be recommended in order to decrease your sensitivity to a particular allergen.
You don’t have to worry about allergic reactions or suffering from allergy symptoms. Getting an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan is the first step. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with the best allergy doctor in New York City.
Allergic Eye Conditions (allergic conjunctivitis)
Allergic eye conditions, also often referred to as allergic conjunctivitis or ocular allergies, are common eye conditions. If you are sensitive to a certain substance, such as pollen or dust, it can cause allergy eye symptoms.
Causes of Allergic Conjunctivitis
An allergen is a substance, which although usually harmless, the body identifies it as harmful. As a result, a chemical reaction occurs, which can cause allergy symptoms. If the allergen irritates the conjunctiva, which is the membrane covering the inside of the eyelid and the eye, symptoms can develop.
Common causes of allergic eye conditions include mold spores and pollen. Pet dander and dust are common indoor allergens, which may cause allergy eye symptoms. Some people are also allergic to chemicals in makeup or facial creams. In order to determine exactly what is causing an eye allergy, it is best to see an allergist.
Symptoms
Symptoms of an allergic eye condition usually start quickly after exospore to the allergen. Symptoms may include itchy and watering eyes. The eyes may also become swollen, red and sore or burn. Some people also develop sensitivity to light. The condition is annoying but does not cause any vision changes or damage. It can be easy to confuse allergic conjunctivitis with other types of conjunctivitis, such as bacterial or viral. But allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious.
Allergic Eye Condition
Treatments
Treatment for allergic eye conditions starts with a trip to the allergy doctor to determine the allergen. If possible, avoiding the irritating substance may be enough to decrease symptoms. But in some cases, it may be impossible to eliminate the allergen. Medications, such as antihistamines may be recommended. Eye drops or artificial tears may help reduce dryness and irritation. Steroid eye drops may also be used to decrease inflammation. In some instances, your allergist may recommend allergy shots to help you become immune to the allergen.
Certain serious allergic eye conditions, such as infections, may have similar symptoms, so it is important allergic eye conditions are properly diagnosed. Call Dr. Boyan Hadjiev, one of New York City’s best allergists to find the right treatment.
Administration of Immunomudulatory Agents
In many instances, asthma symptoms are linked to allergies. If you suffer from allergic asthma, you know how quickly symptoms can develop if you are exposed to an allergen. Symptoms, such as wheezing, chest tightness, coughing and shortness of breath can range from mild to severe. Asthma medications may reduce allergic asthma symptoms. But for some people, asthma symptoms continue to persist and may frequently occur. In addition to medications, such as steroids and bronchodilators, administration of immunomudulatory agents may be recommended to treat allergic asthma.
Why Immunomudulatory Agents are Given?
Immunomudulatory agents are a class of drugs, which modify one or more functions of the immune system. Certain immunomudulatory agents have been used to treat some types of cancer. Currently, the FDA has approved an immunomudulatory agent to treat persistent and moderate asthma.
During an allergic asthma attack, the immune system recognizes an allergen as harmful, and an immune system response occurs. Part of the response of the immune system is to release a substance called immunoglobulin E (IgE). The release of IgE is thought to play a role in the development of allergy asthma symptoms. Certain immunomudulatory agents work by decreasing the action of IgE, which in turn reduces allergic asthma symptoms.
Procedure for Administration of Immunomudulatory Agents
The immunomudulatory agent is administered through a subcutaneous injection in the skin. The number of injections needed and the frequency will be determined after a visit with an allergist. If you have allergic asthma symptoms, which are not controlled by a steroid inhaler, administration of an immunomudulatory agent may reduce the number of asthma attacks due to allergens.
Side Effects
After administration of an immunomudulatory agent, you will be monitored to make sure you do not have an allergic reaction. The most common side effect after the injection is redness or soreness at the site.
For more information on administration of immunomudulatory agents or other asthma or allergy treatments, call Dr. Boyan Hadjiev, one of NYC’s top allergists. Call today to schedule your appointment.
Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is a skin condition that appears in two ways: allergic contact dermatitis and irritant contact dermatitis. Allergic contact dermatitis is caused by coming in contact with a specific substance the person is allergic to. Irritant contact dermatitis is caused by coming in contact with common irritants.
These two types of contact dermatitis present different symptoms, but neither of them is life-threatening. They usually clear up in a couple of weeks, although they may come back after another contact with the allergen or irritant.
A break-out of contact dermatitis should be discussed with an allergy doctor to determine the best course of treatment, or determine the allergen in the case of allergic contact dermatitis.
Causes of contact dermatitis
Allergic contact dermatitis is caused when a person’s skin comes into contact with an allergen, including:
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Some antibiotics
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Balsam of Peru, a compound used in production of cosmetic products
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Metals, such as nickel and gold
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Rubber or latex
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Certain plants, such as poison ivy and poison oak
Irritant contact dermatitis is the more common of the two. It is caused when a person’s skin comes into contact with an irritant, which can be:
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An acid
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Soaps, detergent, or fabric softeners
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Hair dyes
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Cement
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Rubber
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Pesticide or weed killers
Symptoms of contact dermatitis
Allergic contact dermatitis symptoms:
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An itchy rash
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Blisters
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Oozing and draining
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Scaly, raw skin
Irritant contact dermatitis symptoms:
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Skin redness and a rash
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Itching, pain and burning
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Dry and rough skin
The first symptom, which is usually the rash, appears faster in the case of irritant contact dermatitis than in the case of allergic contact dermatitis. The symptoms of allergic contact dermatitis are usually confined to the area that came into contact with the allergen, while symptoms of irritant contact dermatitis tend to spread beyond the contact area. The rash caused by an irritant will tend to be more painful that the one caused by an allergen, and there will also be a burning sensation in the area.
Treatments for contact dermatitis
Treatment options for contact dermatitis include:
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Topical corticosteroids
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Oral corticosteroids
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Oral antihistamines
The first thing that needs to be done in the case of contact dermatitis is to remove the irritant or the allergen. This may include washing the affected area. The mildest cases usually don’t require any other treatment and don’t require a visit to an allergy doctor.
It’s also important to hydrate the skin properly, so moisturizer creams should be used. Topical steroids are used to reduce the inflammation in moderate cases. Steroid creams shouldn’t be used for longer periods of time though, as they may cause the skin to become thinner. Oral corticosteroids are used in more severe cases, and oral antihistamines are used to manage severe itching.
What are Hives?
NYC’s Top Allergist discusses Hives
Hives are a rash that emerges as red, raised itchy bumps on the skin. The most commonly known cause of hives is an allergic reaction. They can also appear for unknown reasons. Hives are usually harmless, but they can sometimes be followed by another skin reaction called angioedema – swelling of deeper layers of skin. Angioedema can be possibly be life-threatening if it affects the tongue or throat and block the airways.
Hives are also known as urticaria. Hives can be classified in two forms: acute, which lasts for up to six weeks, and chronic, which lasts for more than six weeks.
Triggers of Hives
Hives can be caused by a number of different triggers. The most common causes of hives are allergens, such as:
- Medications: such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and blood pressure drugs
- Foods: such as peanuts, shellfish, tree nuts, eggs and milk
- Naturally occurring: such as pollen and animal material
Other common causes are environmental conditions, such as exposure to cold, heat, wind, sunlight, stress and even exercise. Dermatographia, which literally means “skin writing,” can also cause hives, and scratching the skin will produce skin redness in the form of the scratch. Chronic hives usually develop for an unknown cause, but they may also develop as an autoimmune response.
Symptoms of Hives
Hives appear with the following symptoms:
- Raised areas of the skin that are red in their base called wheals
- Itching and possibly burning skin
- If hives are followed by angioedema, the skin will swell and hurt
- In severe cases of angioedema, difficulty breathing or swallowing may be present
The common symptoms include wheals and itching. Wheals may go down and new ones may develop before the rash subsides, which makes it look like the condition is moving. Hives usually affect larger areas of the skin. A small percentage of people with acute hives, and about a half of people with chronic hives, will also have angioedema. Angioedema is a painful swelling of the inner layers of the skin. This can cause serious life-threatening health issues and obstruct breathing and swallowing.
Treatments for Hives
Treatment options for hives include:
- Antihistamines
- Oral corticosteroids
- Epinephrine in cases of severe angioedema
For acute hives caused by allergies, it’s important to determine the allergen and avoid it.
Antihistamines, both over-the-counter and prescribed by an allergy doctor, are the most effective treatment for mild to moderate cases of hives. More severe cases of hives are usually treated with oral corticosteroids, which reduce swelling and itching.
Cases of severe angioedema, especially if the swelling blocks the airways, have to be treated immediately with a shot of epinephrine to prevent worsening of the symptoms and death.
Asthma
Asthma Doctor
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory medical condition that affects the airways. A common medical condition, asthma is characterized by episodic symptoms that are usually referred to as asthma attacks. Symptoms of asthma consist of wheezing, coughing, tightness in the chest, and shortness of breath. Asthma is an incurable medical condition, but its symptoms can be managed. Still, asthma is considered to be a potentially dangerous condition, and possibly even fatal. When suffering from asthma, it’s important to have regular checkups with an asthma doctor.
Causes and Symptoms of Asthma
The symptoms may change over time and it’s important to adequately change the course of treatment. The cause of asthma is still not entirely understood. Doctors believe that there are several risk factors that may lead to the development of asthma. These factors could be divided into two groups – environmental and genetic. Environmental risk factors include:
Allergens, such as dust mites, animal material, mold and cockroaches
Air pollutants, such as tobacco and traffic smoke pollution
Organic compounds, such as formaldehyde. Genetic risk factors, such as having asthma in the family, have also been shown to be relevant. Also, people with atopic diseases, such as atopic eczema and allergic rhinitis, are more likely to develop asthma at some point in their life. Symptoms:
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Wheezing
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Shortness of breath
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Coughing
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Chest tightness
These symptoms usually appear more – and are worse – in the morning and the evening, after exercise and when exposed to cold air. Asthma attacks are also triggeredby certain substances, most notably allergens, tobacco smoke, sulfite containing foods and air pollution.A wheezing noise is produced during an attack because the airways become tighter. This interferes with normal passage of air, which in turn causes the feeling of shortness of breath. A person with asthma will also have an inflammation of the bronchial tubes. This inflammation has to be treated because it may play a part in potential lung damagethat can be caused by asthma. An asthma doctor should evaluate it and recommend treatment. Treatment
Treatment of Asthma
Treatment options for asthma symptoms include:
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Short Acting Beta Agonist (SABA) medications are the first line of defense
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Anticholinergic drugs are most effective with SABA
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Corticosteroids can be used for long term treatment
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Adults can use long-acting beta-adrenoceptor agonists (LABA)
Leukotriene antagonists, can be used in addition to corticosteroids and LABAAsthma medications are usually administered by inhalers.
SABA as well as anticholinergic drugs are used for in the short-term type of treatment for symptoms. Anticholinergic drugs should only be used by people that can’t tolerate SABA. Corticosteroids are the most common medications used for long term treatment of asthma, and are also usually administered by inhalers, unless in very severe cases, when they are administered orally.
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