Allergy-Associates – Page 2 – 6294 1st Ave N., St Petersburg, FL 33710 (727)345-1900

Pets in home: many allergy studies, mixed results

February 13, 2018 Stephen J. Klemawesch, MD

By Sasha Klemawesch, MD Finally, scientific proof of dogs’ superiority! Research studies have reported a variety of health benefits provided to owners by their dogs; perhaps most pertinent to this newsletter being those related to allergies. A trio of studies in 2003, ’04 and ‘05 in various allergy journals (Current Opinions in Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, and Current Allergy Asthma Reports) all reported that children who had dogs in their homes as infants were…

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Selfies

February 13, 2018 Stephen J. Klemawesch, MD

Dear Dr. K: Among the many challenges and downsides of our smartphones, can you point to any not-so-obvious upsides to these instruments we glue our eyeballs to? As it turns out, today’s craze in smartphone selfies may have some medical value that extends beyond vanity. To date, three medical conditions have been diagnosable from selfies: pancreatic cancer, skin cancers and oxygen desaturation. It seems other people’s scrutiny of selfies posted on social media can lead to changes being noticed….

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Q – Tips: Vitamin D and pregnancy

February 13, 2018 Stephen J. Klemawesch, MD

• Harvard researchers have confirmed that Vitamin D supplements in pregnant women significantly reduce the chance for their children of developing asthma. It seems that this benefit is conferred primarily in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Q – Tips: Don’t get burned…

February 13, 2018 Stephen J. Klemawesch, MD

If you are going to get cut or burned, do it during daylight hours. Scientists have discovered a marked circadian (body clock) difference in healing from injuries. Wounds incurred at night take 60% longer to heal than those incurred during daytime hours. There is slower growth of skin cells and collagen when injuries occur at night.

Allergy testing: body’s timing reveals clues

December 4, 2017 Stephen J. Klemawesch, MD

Dear Dr. K: Until my husband recently came to see you I didn’t realize there was any other type of allergy tests than the prick tests I received. Can you explain? The skin test your husband received was patch-testing to try to ferret the cause of his skin rash. The test is designed to determine if he is sensitive to any contact allergens. The patches are applied and left in place for several days before being read. The test investigates…

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Shingrix now available; better protection from shingles

December 4, 2017 Stephen J. Klemawesch, MD

Shingrix is the new shingles vaccine which was recently approved by the FDA. It is an improved vaccine for preventing shingles and its complications. Unlike its predecessor vaccine, Zostavax, it requires two doses to be given between two and six months apart. It is a better vaccine because it uses recombinant technology plus an adjuvant. Recombinant technology means inserting the DNA encoding for the shingles virus into a tissue culture. The culture produces the protein antigens of the virus, but…

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Sensitive – but timely and critical conversation for families to have

December 4, 2017 Stephen J. Klemawesch, MD

Death. Unfortunately, in my line of work, it’s part of my daily life. If you’ve had an appointment with my dad anytime in the past year, you know that I recently shifted gears from an Emergency residency to a Critical Care fellowship. Having spent the last several years in the Emergency Department (ED), I’d forgotten what a different beast death is in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). In the ED, death is swift, often unexpected and sometimes merciful. ICU deaths…

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Q – Tips: Dogs and allergies

December 4, 2017 Stephen J. Klemawesch, MD

The University of Chicago just finished a research study showing the benefit of dog ownership in reducing the likelihood of allergies in children born into a pet-owning household. Children born to allergic parents reduced their risk for developing allergies by 33% if born into a household with dogs.

Q – Tips: Vaccines and sleep

December 4, 2017 Stephen J. Klemawesch, MD

Are you getting a vaccine? Then get some sleep. Research shows that sleep deprivation can lead to a poor response to vaccination. Sleeping fewer than six hours the night prior to vaccination reduces the benefit by 12%.

Pepper trees also get a bad rap

October 17, 2017 Stephen J. Klemawesch, MD

The Brazilian Pepper tree – also known as the Florida Holly – is an invasive species from South America that has spread throughout Florida and the Southeastern U.S. Many Floridians hate it because it is a common source of contact dermatitis similar in nature to poison ivy. Despite this mischievous aspect of the plant, immunologists have discovered it has incredible antibiotic properties. Amazonian native healers have used the plant for hundreds of years for its medicinal value. Now modern science…

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