Allergy-Associates – Page 44 – 6294 1st Ave N., St Petersburg, FL 33710 (727)345-1900

Cheers for the terminator – a better, safer, lice remover

December 17, 2012 Stephen J. Klemawesch, MD

Acknowledged in the classic poem by Robert Burns, “Ode to a Louse,” lice are definitely an unfortunate part of communal life, especially involving school attendance. But take hope. There is a new treatment available that has been a health boon for several reasons. With existing medicines for treating lice there are two major problems: resistance and allergy. Unfortunately, many species of head lice have developed resistance to the standard therapies; that is, they aren’t killed by the once-effective therapies such…

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Q-Tips: Steroids and height

October 23, 2012 Stephen J. Klemawesch, MD

The European Respiratory Society completed a long-term study on the effect of extended use of inhaled steroids on the ultimate height of asthmatic children. They found that in children with moderate asthma who required daily use of inhaled steroids over many years, their ultimate adult height was within one centimeter of that expected.

Q-Tips: RSV, asthma

October 23, 2012 Stephen J. Klemawesch, MD

A high correlation exists between having RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) infection and developing childhood asthma. Research is being done to determine whether latent asthma predisposes to catching RSV, or whether RSV activates latent asthma.

Q-Tips: COPD

October 23, 2012 Stephen J. Klemawesch, MD

The triotropium inhaler has been used for some time to treat COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), but recent studies have shown that it also has value to asthmatics. It can be added to existing therapies such as inhaled corticosteroids and inhaled bronchodilators, and seems to have a synergistic effect with the latter.

Slow dosage start more prudent?

October 23, 2012 Stephen J. Klemawesch, MD

Questioning whether the starting dosage of a medication might influence the likelihood of hypersensitivity reactions, research scientists at the Medical University in New Zealand conducted a study using a time-honored therapy for gout. Unfortunately this medication, Allopurinol, has a predilection to cause hypersensitivity reactions that can be troublesome because, in addition to an allergic skin rash, there also may be inflammation of the liver and kidneys. The study was simple, comparing two groups starting Allopurinol. One group started with the…

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Anaphylaxis care in pregnancy: New guidance published

October 23, 2012 Stephen J. Klemawesch, MD

Anaphylaxis in pregnancy – a condition that poses risks for both the mother and the fetus – now has published guidelines, thanks to work done at the University of California in San Diego and the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center. Guidelines previously did not exist. The authors point out that just as the general incidence of anaphylaxis is increasing, it is also increasing in pregnant women. During the three trimesters of pregnancy the causes of anaphylaxis are the same as in…

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Dear Doc: Wise to give MMR vaccine if child has allergy to eggs?

October 23, 2012 Stephen J. Klemawesch, MD

Dear Dr. K.: My daughter is allergic to eggs. They cause her to have hives. Should we avoid the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella – formerly known as German measles) shot? The old answer to your question is a qualified “no.” The new answer is an unqualified “no.” But, let me explain. Three primary vaccines exist that are produced using egg embryo fibroblasts. Because of this milieu, there is some – at least theoretical – potential for the vaccines to elicit an allergy…

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Sharp rise in peanut allergy emerges in study;

October 23, 2012 Stephen J. Klemawesch, MD

Sharp rise in peanut allergy emerges in study; strict preventive protections said justified The recent Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology had a research paper from the University of Minnesota looking at peanut allergy. By means of a long-term study these scientists found a tripling of peanut allergy in children since 1999. More than three-quarters of the peanut-allergic children in their study were under the age of 2. Also, 70 percent of the peanut allergy was in boys. The scientists…

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Pertussis – nothing to whoop at

October 23, 2012 Stephen J. Klemawesch, MD

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, also known as the 100-day cough, is on the rise. Many new cases are seen in young and older adults. The reason for the recurrence of this disease is rapidly waning immunity from the new acellular vaccine. About 25 years ago a new form of pertussis vaccine was developed because the old vaccine on occasion could cause side effects due to minuscule remnants of the tissue culture cells used to make the vaccine. This…

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Quick – Tips: Vitamin D levels and inhalers

August 28, 2012 Stephen J. Klemawesch, MD

Harvard researchers have found a link in children between low vitamin D levels and poor response to asthma inhalers. They found significant improvement in lung function from inhalers when children with low vitamin D levels received vitamin D replacement.