neffy – The Game Changer in Allergy Treatment For anyone with severe allergies, especially to food or insect stings, the EPIPEN® has been a household name for years. It’s the go-to treatment to stop life-threatening allergic reactions. But here’s the thing – many patients dread using it. The idea of jabbing yourself with a needle […]
The “Vet” Who WAS Allergic to Pets
While you may think this story is about a military “vet” allergic to pets it’s actually about a veterinary student who is a patient of mine and who is allergic to pets. The Story of the Allergic Vet My patient, the allergic vet, was an honors student in high school and continued her success at […]
Cat or Dog Allergies Don’t Have to End Badly… Allergy Drops Can Help!
[updated March 2023] This past week the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology had their annual meeting in Boston. The Academy estimates that 50 million Americans suffer from asthma or allergic diseases. Asthma rates alone have more than tripled in 25 years, now affecting 22 million people. A recent article USA Today article titled, […]
NYC Allergist’s Alternative to Allergy Shots and Antihistamines…Simple Drops
As we head into August, the heat and humidity are slightly subsiding. However, the Ragweed pollen-better known as Hay Fever starts pollinating by early next week. I strongly advise my patients that are aware that they are allergic to Ragweed to pre-empt the inevitable symptoms of sneezing, nasal congestion and watery eyes with specific medications […]
Frog Allergy: Leapin’ Lizards, My First Case in 25 Years!
[updated August 2019] After 25 years of practicing allergy, I have diagnosed and treated patients with allergies from many creatures that roam our beautiful earth. I have: Successfully treated hundreds of children and adults allergic to cats and dogs. Had amazing results treating patients with horse allergy, one who was a competitive equestrian rider. Had […]
The Truth About Hypoallergenic Cats and Dogs
I just reviewed an interesting article in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology entitled Do hypoallergenic cats and dogs exist? I hear this question frequently in my New York allergy practice. I have patients that know they are allergic to these pets, but erroneously believe that the dog that doesn’t shed that much, or […]
Forbidden Fruit in the Spring Allergy Season
I saw several youngsters this past week in my office, ages 5 to 13, really getting pounded with allergies. One boy’s face was swollen and his eyes were red and tearing. Another girl couldn’t stop sneezing and her nose was bleeding from constantly blowing “to get out the snot” as she put it. Another boy […]
Your Cat Can Save Your Life
I never thought I would write the heading: Your Cat Can Save Your Life! But I just had a patient that told me her recent experience. My patient had been suffering from chronic sinus pressure, headaches, and fatigue for several months. I was concerned at first that she was allergic to her cat, and that […]
The Allergist’s Role in Treating Chronic Cough – Part 1
I’m always amazed that as diverse as an allergist’s private practice can be with a myriad of different problems- that the same complaints seem to come in clusters. This has definitely been the case for the month of July. July in my office has been a refuge for patients suffering with a chronic cough. A […]
Pollen Plague: What is Your Best Defense?
Offense (Global warming) vs. Defense (Allergy drops) The recent cover of USA Today’s weekend edition on May 31st, 2013 read: Pollen plague: How Climate change is Affecting Every Breath You Take. The reporter chose to focus on Chicago as the location where Dr. Joseph Leija has been recording pollen counts for 24 years on the […]