Windom Allergy, Asthma, Sinus

Hello Windom Allergy Family! As you know, Windom Allergy always strives to be cutting edge in the realm of food allergy, so we are constantly reading up on the newest literature. We believe sharing these studies with you is very important as well. Below is a summary of a recent article published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology examining whether or not peanut-allergic patients should truly be avoiding tree nuts. The authors acknowledge that if peanut-allergic children are proven to have tree nut allergies already (i.e. previous history of a reaction or positive food challenge) then these should obviously...

People always ask, “my nose is running and I’m sneezing, what’s in the air?” The answer depends on where you live. Up north, the middle of August is the start of ragweed season, lasting until the first frost in the fall. Down here, we have ragweed as well, just not the high seasonal peak, but also other weeds, grasses, and the ever-present mold spores. And without a frost, we have most of these pollens year-round. Our only true seasonal allergen in Florida is tree pollen, mainly oak tree, that has an intense pollination period from February to April. Keep in mind,...

Thank goodness the dreaded virus is beginning to fade. Unfortunately, the allergy season continues to afflict us, as we drift from the February to April oak tree pollen to the grass and weed pollen seasons. If you’ve let your regular allergy shot visits lag because of the pandemic distraction, come on in and get caught up. For those of you on food oral immunotherapy (OIT), we’re open, safe, and ready for your dosing visits as well. We’re doing our best to make you feel normal again at Windom Allergy.

For all of our patients who have the EpiPen: FDA alerts patients and health care professionals of EpiPen auto-injector errors related to device malfunctions and user administration EpiPen 0.3 mg and EpiPen Jr 0.15 mg auto-injectors, and the authorized generic versions, may potentially have delayed injection or be prevented from properly injecting due to: Device failure from spontaneous activation caused by using sideways force to remove the blue safety release.Device failure from inadvertent or spontaneous activation due to a raised blue safety release.Difficulty removing the device from the carrier tube. For more information: FDA alerts patients and health care professionals of EpiPen...

The peanut pill, Palforzia, has been approved by the FDA, so what are food allergy patients supposed to think? Here is what we know. Palforzia (peanut flour in a capsule) is to be used as oral immunotherapy (OIT) for 4 to 17 year-olds with a confirmed diagnosis of peanut allergy. It should help mitigate allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, that may occur with accidental exposure to peanuts. Those who take Palforzia must continue to avoid peanuts in their diets. The goal is to be slowly desensitized to 300 mg of peanut protein, or approximately one peanut, with the help of an allergist. Studies...

Dr. Windom attended the American College of Allergy Asthma & Immunology annual meeting in Houston in November. He lectured on ‘Food Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) in Clinical Practice’ to the Association of Allergists of Indian-Origin. Many in the audience expressed interest in offering this life-changing therapy to their patients based on the aspirational words of Dr. Windom. The results of our first 180 peanut allergy patients treated with OIT, compiled with the help of pre-med student Lara Gasich, were presented as a poster at the national meeting.

This month Dr. Fergeson led our emergency room training review. During these sessions our physicians, nurses and office staff discuss how to safely and efficiently manage a patient who is having an allergic reaction. We also had the opportunity to review our airway and IV placement skills, as well as apply these skills in our mock patient clinical scenarios. We are constantly learning here at Windom Allergy and always strive to provide the best care to our patients.

Halloween is just around the corner! For all of our ghouls and goblins living with food allergy and/or receiving oral immunotherapy (OIT), we’ve conjured up a few tips for a safe and enjoyable Halloween: For those receiving food OIT, please be mindful of the 2-hour rest period after your dose and avoid dosing after 8 PM. If this is not possible, it is fine to skip your dose that day and resume normal dosing the following day.Don’t let your food-allergic child trick-or-treat alone, and always make sure they carry their autoinjectable epinephrine with them.Verify that adults or friends with your child understand his...

Because of the amazing success of food oral immunotherapy (OIT) at Windom Allergy and other clinics around the world, a pharmaceutical company is close to having their peanut capsule, Palforzia, approved by the FDA.  Obtaining FDA approval for the same OIT protocol we’ve been using for years, legitimizes this life changing therapy for all of those doctors and patients who felt the need for this ultimate FDA stamp before pursuing peanut desensitization. Yes, the commercial capsule has been checked for purity and full peanut composition, a requirement to make peanut a drug, but we remain comfortable using regular peanuts to desensitize our patients...

Guess what???Dr. Ly made a youtube video that is silly and fun for her food allergy kiddos! Please watch as Dr. Ly explains food allergies to kids with the help of science and toys! Learn about allergy soldiers and how they cause food allergies. Most importantly, you will learn how to make yourself feel better if you have an allergic reaction. If you like the video please share the message and help other food allergy families! A special thanks to Jim McCampbell who edited the video and added the sound effects! You made the video so fun friend!