Dr. Marie Fitzgerald recently discussed with Caroline Vandergriff CBS 11 the potential for spring allergy season to be more severe this year. I would say this April is worse than usual. Originally, you might think well this is going to kill the pollen for the year – wouldn’t that been nice if that had happened – but it actually didn’t because the snow acted like insulation on the plants. All it did is delay, but it did not relieve anything.   Here, what we’re seeing this spring, is people coming in with worsening allergy symptoms that can certainly turn into sinus infections, ear infections, and also asthma. It can be diminished, but they usually don’t lose it. So when someone tells me they’ve lost their sense of smell and taste, then I do think they ought to get a COVID check to rule that out before we just say it was allergies. Read and watch more at CBS11.com. Schedule your appointment to find relief from allergy and asthma symptoms.

                                                                                                                                                      I know there is so much that goes into our minds as parents when managing our children who have food allergies. You are the parent, and ultimately you know what is best for your child. Our job at the Food Allergy Institute (FAI) is to partner with you to help "conquer" your child's food allergies.   What is Oral Immunotherapy? Oral immunotherapy (OIT) gets your body used a food allergen, so it does not cause a reaction upon ingestion. OIT is a procedure performed and supervised by a Board-Certified Allergist in a clinic setting. It involves your child eating small amounts of their allergic food and progressively increasing the amount every two weeks. This process retrains the immune system to tolerate foods that previously would trigger an allergic reaction. Successful immunotherapy is when our patients can eat a significant amount of their allergenic food without a reaction.   How Effective Is Oral Immunotherapy? Oral immunotherapy has been shown to be very effective. When reviewing reports, published desensitization (able to tolerate) rates in OIT studies vary from 30% to more than 90%. We are happy to report at the Food Allergy Institute; our Efficacy rate is 94%   Is Oral Immunotherapy Safe? You can have allergic reactions with oral immunotherapy. The most common reactions include localized symptoms such as itchy mouth, Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, and rashes. It is also possible to have an allergic or "anaphylactic" reaction while on Oral Immunotherapy. This is why this therapy is done under the care of your Board-Certified Allergist in a supervised setting. Also, a MINORITY of patients (3-5%) may develop a condition called Eosinophilic Esophagitis. This allergic condition can lead...

WHY SHOULD I RECEIVE A VACCINE AGAINST COVID-19? Protection! For yourself, your family, your friends, and your co-workers. A COVID-19 vaccination will help keep you from getting COVID-19 or keep you from becoming seriously ill if you get COVID-19. Receiving a COVID-19 vaccination is the pathway towards stopping the pandemic. FOR MOST PEOPLE, THE BENEFITS OF THE VACCINE OUTWEIGH THE RISKS.   AM I A CANDIDATE TO GET A VACCINE AGAINST COVID-19? YES!  A COVID-19 vaccine is available for anyone who is 12 years of age and older. The only contraindication is a history of a severe allergic reaction to any of the vaccine components, including sensitivity to PEG (polyethylene glycol).  If you are concerned that you may have an allergy to PEG or the vaccine, please schedule PEG testing and a consultation with your FAAC Provider.   HOW DO I KNOW THE COVID-19 VACCINE IS SAFE? Experience.  To date, almost 5 billion people worldwide have safely received a COVID-19 vaccination. Safety has been demonstrated across a broad range of the population, including different ages, races, ethnicities, and those with different medical conditions.   DOES FAMILY ALLERGY & ASTHMA CARE ADMINISTER COVID-19 VACCINES IN THE OFFICE? Family Allergy & Asthma Care is a registered site for COVID-19 vaccination administration.  We run a vaccine clinic about every two weeks.  If you would like to receive your COVID-19 vaccination at FAAC, please call the office to schedule. (972-539-0086).    CURRENTLY, THERE ARE 3 VACCINES AVAILABLE IN THE US, WHICH VACCINE SHOULD I TAKE? The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines (mRNA vaccines) are similar and are equally safe and effective. They both require two vaccinations to be considered fully vaccinated. The second dose of the Pfizer vaccine is administered 18-23 days after the first vaccination, and the second dose of the Moderna vaccine is administered 28 days after the first vaccination. The Pfizer vaccination is currently the only COVID-19 vaccine approved for people ages 12 and older.  The Moderna is currently approved for people 18 and older.  The Johnson and Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine is currently administered as a single dose and indicated for...

I often find that the terms "food allergy" and "food intolerance" are used interchangeably. But really….... they are not the same thing. Food Allergies  A true food allergy results when one's immune system overreacts to an ordinarily harmless food. This is caused by an antibody called Immunoglobulin E (IgE).  After production, IgE binds to allergy cells and waits to be activated by this offending food. Once these cells are stimulated, many chemicals and mediators are released (ex. Histamine) This sequence of events leads to an allergic reaction. What causes food intolerance? A food intolerance is an abnormal response to a food that is not an allergic reaction.  In fact, it does not even involve the immune system. It is usually the result of an enzymatic effect defect in the body. An example of this is with milk intolerance in adults in which the body has a defect in the lactase enzyme and therefore cannot break down lactose, which is a sugar. This inability to digest this sugar can lead to uncomfortable GI symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, gas and diarrhea. Examples of Types of Food Intolerances: a) Lactose Intolerance- absence of an enzyme needed to fully digest the food b) Irritable Bowel Syndrome: This chronic condition can cause cramping, constipation and c) Sensitivity to Food Additives: An example can include sulfites in wine which can trigger asthma in some individuals. d) Recurring stress of psychological factors e) Celiac disease -The immune system damages the small intestine when gluten protein found in wheat, rye, or barley is ingested. Life Impact of Food Allergies vs. Food Intolerance Food allergies occur in 1-2% of adults and <10% of children. They are far less common than food intolerances. Food intolerance can significantly affect your quality of life, but it is not life-threatening like a food allergy can be. The severity spectrum for food allergies can vary from mild symptoms to a severe anaphylactic episode.  Anaphylactic symptoms may include hives, lip swelling, vomiting, diarrhea, urticaria, angioedema, coughing, wheezing, and even cardiac arrest. This is why it is important for these patients to carry...

Mountain cedar, also known by its Latin name Juniperus ashei, is a drought tolerant native evergreen tree that causes winter/spring allergen in Texas. Although it is common in Mexico, in the USA, it is primarily found in Texas. The name Mountain Cedar originated from its highest density in the Hill Country area.  Its name is somewhat of a misnomer since it is a juniper and not cedar and Central Texas is hardly mountainous.   Most of the country is frozen in the winter without blooming plants, which gives people a break from allergies. Texas is unique in that it has a wintertime allergen, mountain cedar, which explodes in the cold winter months. Juniperus ashei is related to Juniperus virginiana that pollinates in the spring. Therefore, January till March is the peak season. The plant's part that causes allergies is the pollen, which is part of the plant's reproductive cycle. Did you know that trees can be male and female? The male cedar trees become covered with small brown cones that burst open on dry, windy days to release pollen. The pollen is often seen blowing in large clouds in the Central Texas area in January, often mistaken for wildfire due to the large and intense pollen clouds. The winds will carry the pollen for many miles, well into Oklahoma. Mountain Cedar is often referred to as “cedar fever” by the locals.  Although ironic, cedar fever does not produce a fever. Instead, it causes our wintertime misery of sneezing, runny nose, sore throat, itchy watery eyes, asthma, and cough. Sadly, each winter, I hear many people say that they assumed that living in Texas means you suffer from allergies, and little can be done about it.  No one should suffer from allergies with our excellent treatment options.  First, over the counter antihistamines and nasal steroid sprays, and nasal irrigation are an excellent start. Second, prescription antihistamine nasal sprays can be added.  If this treatment fails, immunotherapy by injections or drops is excellent.  Immunotherapy prevents symptoms and is the only treatment option that can be curative in many patients. Dr. James Holman...

Did you know that 6 million children have food allergies in the US? 1 in 13 children are affected. Given the standard classroom size, that is two children per class! These statistics are alarming but very accurate! So how did we get here? The truth is, we don't have one answer to explain this. The answer is likely multifactorial. We think that our rapid lifestyle change has contributed to this rise in food allergies over the past few decades. Being a native of West Africa, my mother grew up in a country where roasted peanut protein is everywhere in the culture and is integrated very early on into the infant diet. So whenever my mother reads such statistics, she almost always mutters, "We never had food allergies when we were growing up." She is exceedingly perplexed when she thinks about the fact that she has two grandchildren with severe food allergies. As a food allergy parent, you may be interested in knowing where food allergies come from. For me personally, I wanted to know if there was something I could have done to prevent food allergies in my children. Could I have eaten different foods? Should I have avoided specific foods during pregnancy, and the list goes on and on...….. Could I have done something to prevent this? This is a tough question that I know every food allergy mama has asked at one point in time. There have been excellent studies to confirm that eating allergenic food during pregnancy or avoiding allergenic food does not play a role in whether your newborn child develops food allergies. Furthermore, there is substantial evidence that our diet during breastfeeding does not increase the likelihood of food allergies, and mothers are free to consume varied diets without limitations. Moms, know that we are not at fault. We have all done the best with the knowledge that was available at each point in time. What are the current theories around the Food Allergy Epidemic? 1. Hygiene Hypothesis: "We Live Clean." You may already be familiar with the "hygiene hypothesis." Over the years, this...

It’s not too late to get your flu shot! Y’all it’s 2020! It is understandable that this time of year I would be writing a blog for FAAC patients about the importance of getting a flu shot.  I’ve been asking everyone since about mid-August: “Have you had your flu shot or are you planning to get one? “ When I ask this question, I usually receive one of the following responses: Yes, I have already had one or I am planning to get one because I get one every year or my work requires me to have one every year. No, I have not had it. I do not usually get a flu shot.  What do you think Dr. Hudelson?  I have never really had the flu. No, I have not. I do not get flu shots because I always get the flu when I do. No, I have not. They do not make sense to me because they are based on last year’s flu. No, I do not like to get vaccines because I am worried about side effects No, I cannot get the flu shot. I am allergic to eggs. Most of you know me well enough to know that my response tends to be: “Well it is my job to remind you to get your flu shot. I hope you will get one.” But I rarely preach. When I am asked my opinion, I always speak affirmatively about flu shots. I insist on flu shots for the staff at FAAC and for all high risk patients. Yet, I am re-thinking my approach in 2020!  Really y’all – it is 2020. And this year will go down in the history books as a hum dinger! The goal of this blog is to briefly speak to each of the patient responses given above as a reason to not get a flu shot.  Most of you will have already heard these reasons and for the most part have already decided whether you will or will not get a flu shot. This blog is my personal reason why I believe...

POLLEN COUNT ALERT: There are VERY HIGH concentrations of Weeds (Ragweed, Sage, Wormwood, Goosefoot, Lamb's Quarters, Pigweed, Amaranth, Saltbush, Russian Thistle). Visit the website to get the full report. CLICK HERE

    It is tough enough on those with food allergies during this anticipated tradition of Halloween.  But.. this year, we all need to juggle managing our child’s food allergies, Halloween festivities and the “real boogeyman this year”-The COVID-19 pandemic. This year we have ghosts, the boogeyman, food allergies and the virus to juggle.  So, what do you think? Are we going to have Halloween this year?  We think that the children do need some sort of normalcy and with careful planning and thoughtful precautions, we can have a safe successful Halloween.  Here are few tips and tricks to help you and your family have a safe Halloween. Trick or Treating will need to be re-imagined this year. We will need to be disciplined and really plan to make sure we “mask up” and keep social distancing at the forefront of our minds.  Pre-Halloween Hype and Tips:     1.  Let's talk with our children beforehand about what it will "look like" and “feel like” to have a fun and safe Halloween this year. We want to emphasize being "careful" rather than being fearful. Also emphasizing, that our goal is to keep others safe. You will want to have this discussion with your  child several weeks prior to the Halloween events.     2. Decorate your home for Halloween and paint your pumpkin teal blue to educate, gain support,          and create awareness about Food Allergies during the Halloween season. Support the Teal Pumpkin  Project to create awareness about food allergy in your community. This may        encourage your neighbors to have non-food Halloween treats.     3. If you decide to skip out on Trick or Treating this year due to the pandemic, you can still have a lot of fun. One idea is planning a Halloween Egg Scavenger hunt in your backyard with safe treats inside the eggs for your children to find.     4. Typically children grab their candy out of a bowl. This year avoid using any grab bowls in order to reduce the risk of virus transmission. Instead, consider individually wrapped Non-candy...

Its time again to vote for Best of Denton County! We are honored that so many of you have taken the time to nominate our office, thank you! The providers and our amazing staff are committed to continue to provide you with compassionate quality care.  Thank you so much for trusting us to take care of yourself and your families!  We love our patients! https://bestofdentoncounty.com/medical-health/