Each year I see hundreds of new patients with complaints of hives and swelling. Hives are intensely itchy skin rashes that resemble welts and can occur anywhere on the body. They typically arise without warning and about half the time, are accompanied by angioedema, a deeper swelling in the skin. "Urticaria" is the technical term for hives. These... Read more
As Old Man Winter approaches most of North America the time has come to brace ourselves for the asthma trigger factors that often follow. Outdoor allergy triggers were abundant this year from late Spring through Fall. The wide swings in outdoor temperature and barometric pressure have taken their toll on vulnerable sinuses and lungs. Our upper and... Read more
There is plenty of flu vaccine available for protecting the populace against flu syndrome this year. Many clinics and pharmacies around the U.S. began giving flu shots several weeks ago. Have you had yours?
Recommendations by health officials on who should get the flu shot have broadened over the last several years. Currently, anyone over 6 months... Read more
Some retail drugstores have been promoting their 2010 flu vaccine since August. Getting vaccinated for the flu in the summer is a strange concept for many people. I think most people in my area, this summer, ignored the advertisements. Others have wondered whether they should get the flu shot this early out of concern that it may not last long... Read more
We have, so far, had much more sunny and hot weather than the last few years, but pollens and molds have spoiled the experience for many allergy sufferers. Those with nasal allergy and asthma have often appropriately taken refuge indoors, in air-conditioned environments. In many places it has been so hot, not many have desired to spend a lot of... Read more
