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About half of all new allergies occur in adults, frequently in those in their forties. The most common causes of allergies that start in adulthood are pollen, dust mites, mold, and animal dander. Certain food allergies can emerge after years of eating the food with no reaction. Some allergies may seem to strike unexpectedly, but may actually be childhood allergies that have faded then reappeared. The allergy may also have been present but not diagnosed until the symptoms worsened. Symptoms may seem more severe in adulthood because of several factors: The immune system has become sensitized to the trigger, creating … Continue Reading

An allergic reaction to an insect bite can develop at any age, even if prior stings had no adverse reaction. Hymenoptera is the name for a severe reaction to insect venom, affecting about three percent of adults and one percent of children. The insects most commonly causing this condition are honey bees, hornets, yellow jackets, fire ants, and wasps. While an unpleasant sensation, venom stings most often create a mild reaction such as redness, pain, or swelling that may last up to a few days. Some patients, however, experience a systemic allergy to insect venom, which can be a life-threatening … Continue Reading

Allergic reactions to foods may present in various ways, including hives, rashes, intestinal discomfort, shortness of breath, anaphylaxis, or allergic rhinitis. The allergy occurs through two interactions of the immune system. First, immunoglobulin E, (IgE) a form of protein that is referred to as an antibody circulates in the blood. For some individuals, this antibody will form in reaction to certain foods. This condition is generally inherited from parents, who may have experienced any form of allergy, including hay fever, asthma, or hives. When an individual eats an allergen food, the body forms excess amounts of the antibody, IgE, which … Continue Reading

Many people think of allergies as the seasonal condition referred to as hay fever, which causes runny noses, red-rimmed and itchy eyes, and sneezing. Some allergies, however, can cause much more severe reactions. Anaphylaxis is a severe and sudden allergic reaction, which needs to be treated immediately. Luckily, most allergy sufferers will never experience anaphylaxis, but it is important to understand the symptoms and triggers.Shortly after exposure to an allergy trigger, a series of reactions occur in the body, causing blood vessels to expand temporarily. This, in turn, lowers blood pressure and may cause fainting. Hives or swelling may appear, … Continue Reading

A family of drugs, penicillin is commonly used to kill and stop the growth of bacteria. Penicillin is also a common cause of most drug-related allergies. It is not, however, as common an allergy as many may assume. You may be worried about how your body reacted to a course of antibiotic treatment in the past. You’ll want to tell Dr. Noga Askenazi or the staff about previous side effects such as: HeadachesSore mouth, sores on the tongueMild diarrheaHivesRashesItching Less commonly, penicillin may be associated with joint pain. Rarely, penicillin has caused severe stomachaches, cramping, confusion, seizures, fever, and combativeness. … Continue Reading

Nearly 2 percent of adults and 8 percent of children in the United States are affected by some form of food allergy. Food allergies occur when your immune system overreacts to certain foods that are normally harmless. Symptoms from food allergies can occur even after a minuscule amount of the food has been ingested. Often food allergies appear more in people who have family members with allergies. At Advanced Allergy & Asthma Associates, Dr. Askenazi and the staff work with patients to determine the cause of food allergies. How do I know if I have a food allergy? Food intolerance … Continue Reading

Asthma is a common occurrence affecting up to 10 percent of the population and that number continues to rise. The condition, which causes inflammation of the airways, can cause a wide range of symptoms including wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, and chest tightening. At Advanced Allergy & Asthma Associates, we have years of experience delivering excellent asthma care which helps alleviate symptoms for patients in the Crystal Lake area. Asthma can be hereditary, meaning children who have one or both asthmatic parents have an increased risk of developing asthma. It can also be worsened by various triggers such as exposure … Continue Reading

Allergy sufferers understand that certain seasons can wreak havoc on their immune system. The body’s immune system interprets certain substance such as pollen, ragweed, and mold as invaders, triggering a response that causes many bothersome symptoms. These seasonal irritants can be hard to control and finding the source can be difficult. Traditional vs. holistic allergy treatment Traditional allergy treatment typically involves antihistamines, steroids, and decongestants. The goal of this type of treatment is to stop the common symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, congestion, and itchy eyes. Traditional treatment provides relief that is temporary and symptoms re-emerge as the medicine … Continue Reading

Millions of people in our country, both children and adults, are affected by allergies and asthma to such an extent that their daily lives are impacted. Indications of asthma include shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, and tightness in the chest. Because there can be serious implications with this condition, the team at Advanced Allergy and Asthma Associates provide families of Illinois with the education and care they need to manage health and wellness. Asthma and allergy sufferers can become frustrated when it comes to finding the right treatment. This is because there is no single method of management that works … Continue Reading

Asthma sufferers are becoming so common, that is estimated more than 25 million Americans, including 10 million children have some form of asthma that interferes with their daily lives. Wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and chest congestion or tightness can all be serious signs of asthma. Dr. Noga Askenazi and the team of professionals at Advanced Allergy & Asthma Associates and Food Allergy Center of Illinois hope to turn this epidemic around by doing their part to help those dealing with asthma. It is very important to get help as soon as possible. Most people who develop asthma have people … Continue Reading