Winter is around the corner, Epiceram-L (now Eptex) works great to help heal those dry cracked lips or on Accutane.

You can order it online at http://www.eptexhealth.com

Eucrisa is a new treatment for eczema. It is a PDE4 inhibitor. It blocks the inflammatory process involved in eczema. Come in and speak with the allergist to see if it’s right for you.

Indicated for ages 2 and older. Non-steroid medication. Copay cards available.

Research results posted in Lancet are very promising.

Patient group ingesting peanut protein along with probiotics showed the majority of patients were able to tolerate peanuts vs placebo group.

Another step in the right direction to bringing such therapies to our patients soon.

Xolair is approved down to the age of 12 years old for the treatment of Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria (Chronic Hives).  So if taking antihistamines is not providing complete relief or the side effects of antihistamines is too much to handle then this may the relief you are looking for. It’s a once a month injection under your skin (on the back of your arms). It’s a unique treatment given by your allergist.

For infants under the age of 12months, if they are at high risk (+family history of peanut allergy; eczema, allergies), we are offering early introduction protocol in order to prevent them from developing a peanut allergy.

Based on the LEAP Study, regular feeding of peanut protein to children at high risk can significantly reduce the development of peanut allergy.

Make an appt for your at risk infant to be evaluated for a peanut allergy, prior to starting the introduction.

PATIENTS: Please be sure to complete and send or fax your new patient questionnaire and forms for your appointment 48 hrs prior to your appt. * Be sure to be off antihistamines 5 days prior to your appointment so we can perform accurate allergy skin testing.

Thank you for your help and patience.

In phase 3 trials is the new peanut patch therapy. We are closely following its develop as it appears that it may be available to prescribe in the next few years. We are still awaiting for guidelines for this new therapy.

As we get underway with signing off on school forms, we are often asked about the Epipen dosing.  The appropriate dosing is 0.01mg/kg however the devices (Epipen and Auvi Q) only come in 2 set doses, Jr 0.15mg and Regular 0.3mg.  If your child have a severe food allergy or a nut allergy, once your child’s weight is 44lbs (20kg), we recommend moving your child up to the next dose from the Jr to regular as underdosing can lead to fatality. The increased dose may cause some transient side effects such as increased heart rate and jitteriness.

Exciting new study from England, LEAP study has shown that early introduction of peanuts (2 grams, about 8 peanuts) starting in infancy on a regular basis (3 times a week for 5 years) may be able to prevent the onset of peanut allergy for those at risk of developing a peanut allergy.  The study was the first of it’s kind.  Many more studies are needed to answer the numerous questions that have risen but it is a promising method that we are implementing in our practice. Recommend patients come in between 4 months and 10 months of age.

Dr. Bailey discussed this on a panel with the LEAP research physicians from London on the Diane Rehm Show  WAMU  88.5FM.

This new peanut allergy study is exciting.  The study treatment patients received both probiotics and oral peanut protein.  At the end of the study about 80% of patients could tolerate peanuts.  More research will need to be done to see if this is a permanent treatment and how oral peanut treatments can be safely provided outside of research facilities. See link below.

http://www.wjla.com/video/2015/01/peanut-allergy-study.html

http://www.wjla.com/articles/2015/01/new-research-brings-hope-for-children-with-peanut-allergies-111023.html