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While it’s possible for people to develop allergies later in life, it appears children are more susceptible to allergies. Consider that one in every five Americans (including children) has allergies. When you take into account sensitivities to one or more common allergens among schoolchildren, the World Health Organization reports the prevalence increases to 40 percent – and up to as many as one out of every two children. The American Academy of Pediatrics notes common triggers include dust mites found in bedding, upholstery, carpet, and other fabrics. Animals with fur, such as dogs, cats and rabbits, may also trigger reactions. … Continue Reading

It’s estimated over two million Americans are allergic to insects. Symptoms vary widely. The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology reports three percent of adults and less than one percent of children have severe, deadly reactions to insect venom. There are generally two types of reactions brought on by insects: Localized – When an insect bites you, its saliva can react with your skin, causing small, itchy lumps or fluid-filled, intensely itchy wheals that can persist for weeks or months, especially after a tick bite. When an insect stings, its venom can cause swelling and blistering that may extend up … Continue Reading

Allergic reactions can show up in many ways, one of them being hives. Hives are swollen red bumps or patches of skin that often itch or burn. Hives can show up anywhere on the body and vary greatly in size and shape. What causes hives? Hives are often the body’s reaction to a specific allergen. When your body has an allergic reaction, the cells have an immune response and release a chemical called histamine. When this happens, plasma leaks out of the blood vessels located in the skin causing hives. Acute urticaria is hives that are caused by an allergic … Continue Reading

Allergic rhinitis is also commonly known as hay fever, seasonal allergies, or nasal allergies. Allergens, such as pollen, pet dander, or even mold trigger the body to release a chemical that causes the symptoms. When people suffering from allergic rhinitis breathe in these substances, they experience the allergy symptoms. People with hay fever suffer from an allergic reaction to pollen that can be found in plants, trees, grasses, and weeds. Symptoms are largely dependent on the amount of pollen in the air. On windy, hot, dry days, there tends to be more pollen in the air than cool, damp days. … Continue Reading

Most people have experienced an insect bite or sting that has resulted in redness and swelling of the skin. For people who have an actual insect venom allergy, the reaction to a bite can be much more serious and even life threatening. One of the best ways to protect yourself from a dangerous reaction is to be aware of the differences between a normal reaction and an allergic reaction. To do so, we must first understand when and why allergic reactions occur. Allergic reactions are the immune system’s response to substances that are normally considered harmless. This reaction can cause … Continue Reading

You may have heard that allergy and asthma are not treatable conditions; however, this is misleading. You can stop, decrease, control, and even prevent the symptoms that have brought you to this website and to the specialists at Advanced Allergy & Asthma Associates and Food Allergy Center of Illinois. You can get relief and improve the quality of your life with a number of different symptom treatment options. That said, there are a number of considerations associated with the proper treatment for you. In some cases, no one treatment may be sufficient for your case. For instance, you may require … Continue Reading

Your primary care doctor may have referred you to Advanced Allergy & Asthma Associates and Food Allergy Center of Illinois. You may have become fed up with concerning and bothersome symptoms, and found us on your own. Whatever the case may be, our doctors want you to know you are in the best hands possible to manage allergies or asthma. As your allergy doctors in Elgin, Dr. Askenazi and the staff have specialized expertise in areas including: Range of allergy-specific testingImmunotherapy to decrease symptoms by exposing patients to suspect allergens in a controlled mannerFood, drug challenges for proper diagnosesEducation on … Continue Reading

At Advanced Allergy & Asthma Associates and Food Allergy Center of Illinois, Dr. Noga Askenazi and the staff see patients every day with allergies.  Food allergiesRhinitisHivesInsert bitesHay feverContact dermatitis When allergies become problematic, it is important for patients in the Elgin and Crystal Lake area to work with a team of professionals to seek effective allergy treatment. The best allergy treatment for each individual will be based on their specific diagnosis as well as the type of allergy they are struggling with. The severity may also play a part in determination. Allergy treatment may involve one (or sometimes more) of … Continue Reading

At Advanced Allergy & Asthma Associates and Food Allergy Center of Illinois, we understand how allergies can greatly affect one’s lifestyle. Some patients have severe allergies that may cause them to watch everything they eat or are exposed to while other patients may benefit from medication when they know they may be exposed to their allergen. Visiting an allergy doctor in the Elgin area is the best way to determine the severity of one’s allergies, the trigger for their allergic symptoms, and the best ways to treat the condition when the problem arises. Dr. Noga Askenazi and the staff help … Continue Reading

ou may have become accustomed to the watery eyes, the itchy skin. Maybe the constant congestion, wheezing and coughing is just a part of your life. Maybe it’s been so long since you didn’t have these symptoms that you forgot how great you felt — before the sneezing, the rashes, the runny nose, and other conditions disrupted sleep, work, and social activities. In one of the biggest surveys about allergies to date, Quest Diagnostics in 2011 reported those with allergies experienced symptoms for 10 weeks every year. Workers with allergies were 10 percent less productive than their non-allergic counterparts. Allergies … Continue Reading