The COVID-19 pandemic is scary for all people, but for those with asthma there is great fear that they will have a worse outcome or be more likely to get the virus that causes COVID-19. It is important to know that currently there is no evidence of increased infection rates in those with asthma. And although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that patients with moderate-severe asthma could be at greater risk for more severe disease, there are no published data to support this at this time. There has been one report suggesting that asthma may increase the risk of hospitalization from COVID-19 in 18-49 year old adults; however, this is based on a small number of patients. And in the opposite direction are data from New York where asthma was under-represented (so possibly protective) in those who died from COVID-19. It is important to remember we are dealing with an evolving pandemic and new information could change the situation in the future.   Early reports suggested that steroids were not recommended in patients with COVID-19 disease, although there have been some indications that steroids are useful in severe COVID-19 disease. Given the varying opinions on the use of steroids and COVID-19, many are wondering what to do if their controller medication is a steroid (inhaled or oral). The short answer is continue taking your controller medications and do not stop them. The data suggesting that steroids might increase the shedding of SARS-CoV-2 comes from treating hospitalized patients with systemic steroids just for the viral illness. The use of inhaled or oral steroids for treating other diseases (like asthma) was not studied. However, people with asthma are placed on controller medications to keep their asthma under control. In the current pandemic, the best thing a person with asthma can do (with respect to asthma) is to get and keep their asthma under control. Stopping a controller medication will put the person at risk for developing an asthma exacerbation. In the current pandemic, treatment of an exacerbation will likely require going to the emergency department or urgent care,...

Dear patients, FAAC strives to be a source of accurate, helpful information for our community. To that end, we would like to share the following information with our patients. In the spirit of caring for our community and assisting our healthcare colleagues on the front-lines of the current pandemic, FAAC is committed to staying available to you, our patients. We are here for you, wherever you are.  While you are at home, we have Telemedicine up and running.  We are also seeing patients in the clinic with added protections. These policies are updated often based on current evidence. Current protections include: Disinfection of all surfaces every 2 hours and between patients. All staff wear masks at all times and are screened daily for fevers. In-person appointments are only scheduled at your Physician or Physician Assistant’s discretion after you are seen through a telemedicine visit. When a provider feels that their patient should be seen in person, the patient is pre-screened, checked for fever, and wears a mask while in the clinic. Appointment times are spaced out to allow adequate physical distancing. Only well patients enter through the front of the clinic.   The symptoms of the novel coronavirus can overlap with allergies and asthma. We want all of our patients to stay as healthy as possible, which is why we are continuing immunotherapy with added protections. Currently: All immunotherapy patients are pre-screened by a nurse at the door. The number of patients in shot waiting room is strictly controlled. If there are more than 10 patients waiting, you may be asked to wait in your car until you are able to receive your injection. All patients must still remain in the clinic during the post-injection wait period in case of allergic reaction. The post-injection wait period has been shortened to 20 minutes for patients with no asthma or history of systemic reactions in order to reduce the amount of time that patients are in the clinic. Patients older than 60 years on immunotherapy are encouraged to come in the morning to minimize their exposure to others. We request that all patients wear...

Coronavirus or Allergies? The spring pollen season is upon us!  Our FAAC pollen counters are reporting record high tree pollen and the grasses are starting to bloom as well. (www.faaccares.com/pollen).  All the visible yellow pollen on cars, driveways and trashcans is causing the usual spring miseries of sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes and coughing.  Currently, the COVID-19 pandemic is making these symptoms particularly worrisome to the more than 50 million allergy sufferers in the U.S. because of the overlap of symptoms seen with ordinary allergies and COVID-19.  An otherwise annoying spring sneeze or cough now has the potential to cause fear and anxiety. Although cough is a common symptom in both the pandemic and seasonal allergies, there are several differences in symptoms between the two diseases. Allergy symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, and occasionally cough. On the other hand, COVID-19 causes fever, shortness of breath, and body aches in addition to cough. Runny nose is rarely a symptom of the novel coronavirus. COVID-19 tips for spring allergy sufferers. Your allergy symptoms may lead to the feeling of constantly needing to scratch your eyes, nose, or face, but this behavior makes it easier to spread the virus. Here’s what you can do to help: Wash your hands frequently. Use tissues as much as possible to cover your sneezes. Throw the tissue away after use into a closed container. Continue to take your routine allergy medications consistently, including nasal sprays, decongestants, and antihistamines. Remove clothes you've worn outside and shower to rinse pollen from your skin and hair. Close doors and windows at night and on days when pollen counts are high. Avoid outdoor activity in the early morning when pollen counts are highest. Remember, the best way to give yourself peace of mind about whether your symptoms are a result of allergies or COVID-19 is to take your allergy medications consistently. If your symptoms go away after taking allergy medications and you don’t have other coronavirus symptoms, it is likely that you are dealing with allergies, not COVID-19.

The Coronavirus Deseason 2019 is an emerging, rapidly evolving situation. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention is providing updated information as it becomes available, in addition to updated guidance. Visit the website to learn more.

The peanut pill, Palforzia, has been approved by the FDA, so what are food allergy patients supposed to think? Here is what we know: Palforzia is a patented capsule that contains peanut flour. It is prescribed to treat ages 4 to 17 with a confirmed diagnosis of peanut allergy through an oral desensitization process called oral immunotherapy (OIT). The goal is to be slowly desensitized to 300 mg of peanut protein or approximately one peanut . The process includes allergy office visits every 2 weeks for dose increases and observation during the initial build up phase. Because of the risk of severe allergic reactions, Palforzia will only be available through a restricted program called the Palforzia Risk Evaluation and Mitig ation Strategy (REMS) program. Allergists prescribing Palforzia as well as patient’s taking the d rug will be required to participate in the REMS program. Family Allergy & Asthma Care and the Food Allergy Institute have already started the process to become REMS certified. After completion of a buildup phase , Palforzia will help mitigate allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, that may occur with accidental exposure to peanuts . Those who take Palforzia must continue to avoid peanuts in their diet. Studies have shown than 67.2% of Palforzia desensitized patients tolerate d an oral challenge of two peanuts. The list price for Palforzia has been set at $890 per month or $11,000 per year , with the potential for a copay assistance program This will not cover office visits for administration of the product in a safe environment. Palforzia is not yet available for purchase, but it will likely be available within in the next few months. Great News The great news is that Family Allergy & Asthma Care and the Food Allergy Institute already offer peanut oral immunotherapy treatment programs! The OIT program at FAI uses real peanuts and peanut products like peanut flour and peanut butter to safely accomplish desensitization. In addition, FAI provides desensitization to multiple other foods including all tree nuts, egg, milk, wheat, and sesame in children (as young as 12 months) as well as adults....

Having a food allergy during the holiday season can be overwhelming. Here are a few tips: If you are hosting a holiday party, check with your guest. If someone is dealing with a food allergy, offer food allergy friendly options. If you are attending a holiday party, let your hostess know and bring your own food allergy safe item. Always carry your epinephrine injector. Happy Holidays! Have questions or concerns? Family Allergy & Asthma Care board-certified allergists and staff are here to help. Contact us today! Phone 972.539.0086 or email info@faaccares.com  

"I’m going to kill you with this peanut butter cracker.” As an allergist and mom of a child with food allergy, I was shocked and disturbed by this headline quote. The idea of food being used as a weapon is horrifying. School should be a safe environment for all kids, including the 8% who suffer from food allergy. Unfortunately, a food allergic child must navigate a minefield of food exposures every day: in the cafeteria, in vending machines, at school parties, used as crafts, and traded with friends.  An accidental exposure can result in severe or fatal consequences. Bullies do use food as a weapon. Why does this happen? One reason is false assumptions about food allergy. Some people think that food allergies aren’t real, minimize the seriousness, or think they are exaggerated.  Parents of children with food allergies can be perceived as over-protective. Media can portray food allergy sufferers in a negative way -often as the joke of the scene, trivializing the disease. To an uninformed child who doesn’t understand the danger of food allergy, threatening another child with food seems like an effective intimidation tactic without serious consequences. Unfortunately, 57% of bullying incidents of allergic kids involve the actual dangerous food.  Bullies may wave the food in their face, slip it into their food, or contaminate work space or craft items. The worst examples include forcible touching and force-feeding. In 2017, a boy in England died from anaphylaxis after being exposed to his food allergen at the hands of his classmates. The classmates said they were unaware of the nature of his allergy, and investigators concluded that the school had missed an opportunity to educate students about the seriousness of food allergy. This incident was a tragedy for all involved, including the children who accidentally triggered a classmate’s death. This article  is a legal analysis discussing that parents of bullies who use food allergies against victims may be liable for their child’s conduct, specifically when the parents  become aware of  their child’s bullying behavior and fail to take adequate steps to stop it. Failure to act encourages...

We can't wait to see you again this year for our FREE 4th Annual Food Allergy Friendly Trunk Or Treat hosted by Food Allergy Institute of North Texas and Family Allergy & Asthma Care on October 28, 2019 at our Flower Mound office! In addition to treats that are FREE OF THE TOP 8 ALLERGENS (egg, peanut, milk, fish, nut, soybean, shellfish, wheat), we will have fun games, a firetruck, kid-friendly prizes, and the fan-favorite Boogie Woogie Choo Choo Train! Share the Facebook event to invite family and friends.

When you have an allergy, your immune system overreacts to a substance (allergen) to which you are exposed. Allergy testing can provide useful information which an allergist can then use to treat your symptoms.

Sinuses are hollow spaces in the bones of your face. The lining of the sinuses normally makes small amounts of mucus. Inflammation in the sinuses leads to swelling and extra mucus. Symptoms of sinusitis, also called rhinosinusitis, include: