To add insult to injury, my seasonal congestion turned into a sinus infection this fall – And after ten days of symptoms, I was prescribed a round of antibiotics from my local urgent care. Since breaking out in hives while taking Amoxicillin as a kid, I grew up under the impression that I was allergicContinue reading “All Things Amoxicillin”
Category Archives: Resources
Food Allergy and the Military
Why Severe Allergies May Disqualify You From Joining The United States Armed Forces Did you know that having a life-threatening food allergy can disqualify you from joining the US Armed Forces? To join the US Military, recruits must undergo a medical screening/examination to determine their eligibility and fitness for duty. According to the US DepartmentContinue reading “Food Allergy and the Military”
Antihistamine Withdrawal: How Prolonged Zyrtec Use Could Lead to Increased Itching
To have my updated allergy testing done, my allergist had me stop taking antihistamine medications prior to the appointment to ensure we were gathering the most accurate scratch test results. That week, I vividly recall struggling to fall asleep, kept awake by intense itching all over my body. I scratched so furiously that I leftContinue reading “Antihistamine Withdrawal: How Prolonged Zyrtec Use Could Lead to Increased Itching”
The ABCs of IgEs
Defining Immunoglobulin E, Debunking Antibody Myths, and Delving Into My Updated Bloodwork “Another primary reason for misdiagnosis is a lack of understanding of what the results of serum IgE testing truly mean. In the absence of clinical IgE-mediated symptoms with ingestion of the food, a positive serum IgE test to that food merely means aContinue reading “The ABCs of IgEs”
Post-Anaphylaxis Plan
Action in the Aftermath of an Allergic Reaction So you beautifully executed your anaphylaxis action plan, your vitals are stable, and you’re ready to be discharged from the ER – But now what? Walking out of the hospital in a continued daze of brain fog, I wished my emergency action plan hadn’t ended at theContinue reading “Post-Anaphylaxis Plan”
My ID Medical ID Shop
I have been an Ohio State fan for all my life, but just because I’m a Buckeye doesn’t mean that I like nuts. I attended an undergraduate institution whose mascot was a literal walking tree nut… I lived in a state for four years whose traditional dessert was a chocolate covered peanut butter ball… IContinue reading “My ID Medical ID Shop”
FACES Conference 2019
Recapping the second annual Food Allergy Conference for Education and Sciences in partnership with Lurie’s Children’s Hospital and Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Headed by Dr. Ruchi Gupta of the Science and Outcomes for Allergy and Asthma Research Program (SOOAR), the Food Allergy Conference for Education and Science (FACES) is a celebration of foodContinue reading “FACES Conference 2019”
Alyssa’s Declassified College Survival Guide
(Anyone else remember that early 2000’s Nickelodeon show?!?) Heading off to college is an exciting and nerve-wracking time for all new freshman, but it can be especially scary for food allergy sufferers and their families. As a recent graduate of The Ohio State University (where the literal mascot of the university is a personified treeContinue reading “Alyssa’s Declassified College Survival Guide”
All Things Allergies 