Midwest Allergy & Asthma is proud to announce that Dr. Cherie Y. Zachary was selected by the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) to share education about ‘Handling Allergies during the Holidays’. Dr. Zachary was featured on the radio during the ACAAI meeting and is also the expert highlighted on local radio stations to increase awareness and, hopefully, relief to listeners. During the interview, Dr. Zachary addresses allergens such as dust mites, mold & animals, and includes helpful hints for listeners to minimize their symptoms. Below are a few of the helpful hints to help you get through the holiday season with allergies! Listen here for the full interview from our Allergy & Asthma Specialist, Dr. Zachary.

Minimize Your Winter Allergies

• Throw out shower curtains, wallpaper, or carpeting that have mold. Wash showers and sinks with a solution containing 5% bleach and a little detergent.
• To help control dust mites and mold, use a dehumidifier to keep the humidity in your home below 50%.
• Use vaccume with a HEPA filter as dust mites are stirred up when you vaccume. .
• Wash bedding in hot water (130 F) each week to reduce dust mites.
• If someone in your household is allergic to pet dander, consider getting a non-furry pet, such as fish or a lizard. If you already have a cat or dog, don’t let the pet sleep in your bedroom, and give it a bath at least once a week.

Tips to Make the Holiday Season Easier with Allergies

• Consider buying an artificial tree. Live trees can harbor chemicals and mold, which can trigger allergic reactions.
• Wash or dust off of ornaments before hanging them on the tree. Buy glass or plastic ornaments rather than fabric, which can collect more dust.
• If you have a pet allergy and your relatives have cats or dogs, make sure to take your allergy medication with you and get your allergy shots beforehand.
• Bring your own pillow when traveling.

 

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Visit your Midwest Patient Portal. Here, you’ll be able to access:

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The Midwest Allergy & Asthma team proudly facilitated Peanut Free Day at the Saint Paul Saints game this past Sunday. The entire stadium elimiated peanuts from their menu. Everything from plain old peanuts to Reeses Peanut Butter Cups were removed from the shelves. Additionally, the Saints agreed to donate a portion of the proceeds to AFAA for food allergy education, advocacy, and support programs! Dr. Zachary and her team of allergy specialists were energetically handing out plush baseballs, ice packs to cool down, and MWAA pens to everyone they saw. If you couldn’t make it out to visit Dr. Zachary at the MWAA booth this year, make sure to keep your eye out for information regarding next years event!

The spring 2015 allergy season could be the worst yet, or at least that is what you might hear. Every year is coined as being the worst for allergy sufferers, but are spring allergies really on the rise? “There are many events that can help predict how bothersome the spring allergy season will be,” said allergist, Dr. Cherie Zachary. “While it’s true that allergies are on the rise and affecting more Americans than ever, each spring isn’t necessarily worse than the last.” According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), 23.6 million Americans were diagnosed with hay fever in the last year. The prevalence of allergies is surging upward, with as many as 30 percent of adults and up to 40 percent of children having at least one allergy. Following are factors that influence the severity of allergy season, along with some explanations about why more Americans are being diagnosed with allergies.

• Climate Change – Recent studies have shown pollen levels gradually increase every year. Part of the reason for this is due to the changing climate. The warmer temperatures and mild winters cause plants to begin producing and releasing pollen earlier, making the spring allergy season longer. Rain can promote plant and pollen growth, while wind accompanying rainfall can stir pollen and mold into the air, heightening symptoms. The climate is not only responsible for making the allergy season longer and symptoms more bothersome, but may also be partially to blame for the rise in allergy sufferers.
• Priming Effect – A mild winter can trigger an early release of pollen from trees. Once allergy sufferers are exposed to this early pollen, their immune system is primed to react to the allergens, meaning there will be little relief even if temperatures cool down before spring is in full bloom. This “priming effect” can mean heightened symptoms and a longer sneezing season for sufferers.
• Hygiene Hypothesis – This theory suggests that exposure to bacterial by-products from farm animals, and even dogs, in the first few months of life reduces or delays the onset of allergies and asthma. This may, in part, explain the increasing incidence of allergies worldwide in developed countries.
• Allergy: The New Kleenex – Ever hear someone ask for a Kleenex instead of a tissue? Much like some relate all tissues to Kleenex, many also blame runny noses, sneezing and itchy eyes on allergies, even if they haven’t been accurately diagnosed. Increased awareness and public education can make it seem like nearly everyone has an allergy or is getting diagnosed with allergies, but it could be more public perception more than you think.

While many allergy sufferers reach for over-the-counter medications to find relief, it is recommended those who may believe they have allergies see a board-certified allergist. An allergist can perform proper testing to accurately diagnose and treat sufferers so the spring sneezing season doesn’t have to be bothersome. “Over-the-counter medications may work for those with mild symptoms, but they can cause a variety of unwanted side effects,” said Dr. Zachary. “For sufferers with persistent symptoms, treatment may include allergy shots, which not only provide symptom relief, but also modify and prevent disease progression.” Please call our Scheduling Department at (651) 641-6134 to make your appointment with our Board-Certified Allergy & Asthma Specialist, Dr. Cherie Zachary or Dr. John Moore.

If you view spring with a certain degree of trepidation because it means an outbreak of spring allergy symptoms, you are not alone. One in five Americans suffer from allergies each year and spring allergies cause a multitude of symptoms ranging from stuffy noses and sneezing to itchy eyes and coughing.

According to American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), 23.6 million Americans were diagnosed with hay fever in the last year. The prevalence of allergies is surging upward, with as many as 30 percent of adults and up to 40 percent of children having at least one allergy. As a local allergist who specializes in treating allergy and asthma, I would be happy to speak with you about how allergy sufferers can enjoy the blooms of spring and avoid the triggers that may leave them sniffling, coughing and sneezing.

It’s a War on Pollen during Spring Allergy Season
Some Weapons Work Better than Others to Keep Your Suffering at Bay

While many people eagerly anticipate spring to see the last of cold weather and snow drifts, others dread the sneezing, wheezing, itchy eyes and coughing spring allergies bring. They understand the arrival of pollen – whether counts are high or low – means the onset of their misery. But there are ways to prevail in the fight to breathe easy and remain relatively sneeze-free.

“People focus on the highs and lows of pollen counts,” said allergist Cherie Zachary, Midwest Allergy & Asthma. “What they don’t realize is that a high total pollen count doesn’t always mean you will have allergy symptoms. The pollen from the plant you are allergic to may not be high. The key is to know what you’re allergic to, and how to treat your particular symptoms.”

More people than ever suffer from allergies of all kinds. Allergies are the 6th leading cause of chronic illness in the U.S. with an annual cost in excess of $18 billion. One in five Americans suffer from allergies each year. And though spring can bring lots of sneezing and sniffles, it’s important to remember that there are tools at your disposal – whether your suffering is mild or severe.

Following are some factors to keep in mind as you work to keep your spring allergy symptoms under control.

Heading symptoms off at the pass – One thing that many allergy sufferers may not be aware of is that if you start taking your prescription allergy medications before the worst symptoms hit, your suffering will be greatly alleviated. Although people think of spring starting in April or May, spring allergy symptoms start earlier, so it benefits you to start taking your prescription allergy medications two to three weeks before your symptoms normally appear.

Early spring is awesome? Not so fast – Although it may seem like a good sign when the winter weather appears to be clearing up early, it’s not good news for allergy sufferers. A mild winter can cause early release of pollens from certain trees. Once allergy sufferers are exposed to early pollen, their immune system is primed to react to allergens, and there will be little relief, even if temperatures cool down again before spring has sprung for good. If the weather report calls for a streak of warm days, begin taking your medication.

Location, location, location –Though some areas of the country tend to get hit harder than others, tree pollens are bad in all geographic regions. Tree pollen first appears in February, even in the coldest climates, and peaks twice – in March and April. Your response to pollen can depend on which pollens you’re allergic to. If you’re someone who is allergic to tree pollen or grass, you may experience an increase in symptoms no matter where you live.

Just like every snowflake is different – No two allergy sufferers have the same set of allergic responses, so you have to treat your allergies according to your symptoms. While some people may be able to treat their mild allergies with over-the-counter medications, many people benefit from seeing a board-certified allergist who can diagnose exactly what they’re allergic to, and create a personal treatment plan.

While there isn’t a cure for spring allergies, there are many treatments an allergist can prescribe and/or provide. For more severe symptoms, two types of immunotherapy are available: allergy shots and tablets.

Allergy shots: An immunotherapy treatment program consists of injections of a diluted allergy extract, administered frequently in increasing doses until a maintenance dose is reached. Immunotherapy helps the body build resistance to the effects of the allergen, reduces the intensity of symptoms caused by allergen exposure and sometimes can actually make skin test reactions, and your allergy, disappear.

Tablets: This type of immunotherapy was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2014. Starting at least three months before allergy season begins, patients dissolve a tablet under the tongue daily. Treatment can continue for as long as three years. Only two allergens (grass and ragweed pollens) can currently be treated with this method, but it is may be a good option for patients with grass pollen allergy not controlled with medications.

If you think you might be one of the more than 50 million Americans that suffer from allergy and asthma, you can track your symptoms with the free online tool, MyNasalAllergyJournal.org. You can also make an appointment with our Allergy & Asthma Specialist, Dr. Cherie Y. Zachary, by calling (651) 641-6134.

Midwest Allergy & Asthma is proud to announce that Dr. Cherie Y. Zachary has been elected to serve on the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) Board of Regents. She was honored to have attended the Annual Scientific Meeting of the ACAAI this past November 2014. Among Dr. Zachary were other renowned Board-Certified Allergy & Asthma physicians all gathered to focus on occuring changes within the realm of allergy & asthma to prepare, achieve and exceed the needs of those in communities. ACAAI is dedicated to its members and to Allergy & Asthma Specialists’ professional vision. The goal is to ensure that physicians are viewed as valued members of the allergist community, navigating the challenging health care landscape.

About ACAAI

The ACAAI is a professional medical organization of more than 6,000 allergists-immunologists and allied health professionals, headquartered in Arlington Heights, Ill. The College fosters a culture of collaboration and congeniality in which its members work together and with others toward the common goals of patient care, education, advocacy and research. ACAAI allergists are board-certified physicians trained to diagnose allergies and asthma, administer immunotherapy, and provide patients with the best treatment outcomes.

Recently, a grateful mother shared her experience with Midwest Allergy & Asthma and our Specialist, Dr. Cherie Zachary.

Mom shares, “My children get the best care here. We love Dr. Zachary and would follow her around the world . We see her twice a year and if my kids become ill we see her more. She knows my kids likes and interests and is always willing to take the time to find out what has been going on in their lives!! Top Notch Doctor!!”.

Midwest Allergy & Asthma is committed to helping patients of all ages breathe easier. If you would like to share your story, please share on our social media Facebook site or Healthgrades to help other families choose the highest quality, lowest cost healthcare provider for them.

Dr. Cherie Y. Zachary: Best Doctor

Dr. Cherie Y. Zachary has been chosen by patients as a Top Doc in 2013 as well as Best Doctor in 2014 by her peers. She has been recognized for contributing her 25 years of excellence in providing the best care as an Allergy & Asthma Specialist. These awards consider several factors such as Board scores, bedside manner, cost of care, sense of caring, and if they’d recommend the physician to their family and friends. Midwest Allergy & Asthma is proud to have Dr. Zachary as an outstanding physician named as a Top Doc in 2013 & Best Doctor in 2014.

Dr. Zachary sees patients in Burnsville, Eagan & Maplewood. To make an appointment, please call our scheduling office at (651) 641-6134.

Fall ragweed season has kept area allergy sufferers sneezing and rubbing their eyes since mid-August.
“Allergy is a four-season disease inflicting high morbidity and underappreciated by patients and providers alike,” says Philip Halverson, MD, Allergy and Asthma Specialists. Ragweed, the fiercest culprit, joins a host of other offenders including tree and grass pollen, mold spores, dust mites and pets.

“This disease doesn’t get the respect it deserves.”

Halverson says specialists can help manage chronic conditions where allergy is not always identified, such as rhinosinusitis, conjunctivitis, asthma, cough, urticaria/ angioedema, eczema and anaphylaxis.

Primary care physicians have referred to specialists for years, often using their own guidelines, according to David Brockway, MD, Richfield Medical Group.

“If someone has allergic issues or allergy symptoms more than three months out of the year and doesn’t respond to antihistamines, steroid nasal sprays or a non-steroid leukotriene inhibitor like Singulair®, I will refer to a specialist,” Brockway says.

Cherie Zachary, MD, Midwest ENT Specialists, recommends that primary care providers refer when the patient experiences one or more urgent care or emergency visits for asthma or is hospitalized. She also wants to see patients who take moderate to high doses of inhaled steroids or oral prednisone more than once a year.

“They are candidates for evaluation,” Zachary says, “especially pediatric patients because prednisone and inhaled corticosteroids can cause adverse growth effects.”

“Medical literature is clear when it comes to the treatment of patients with asthma,” she adds. “Allergists are more cost-effective because patients end up in the hospital less frequently.”

The time to refer an asthma patient is when he or she has moderate to severe or persistent asthma requiring ongoing therapy with a controller, says Halverson. “We can determine whether a chronic cough is actually asthma or perhaps post-nasal drainage or reflux, each of which is treated differently,” he says.

Mee Lee Nelson, MD, an allergy and asthma specialist with Southdale Pediatric Associates, encourages primary care physicians to seek a board-certified allergist for patients with difficult-to-treat allergies or asthma.

“Food-related allergies should always be treated by a specialist,” says Nelson. “We know how to interpret blood test results, which can sometimes produce false positives. We also know that patients sometimes outgrow food allergies and can resume eating troublesome foods after a period of time.”

Halverson adds: “Patients who have had chronic hives, with or without angioedema, for six weeks or more should also probably see an allergy specialist.”

Allergists offer services including:

• Allergy evaluation of aeroallergens, foods, drugs, venom
–skin testing, oral challenge, ImmunoCap blood testing
• Contact dermatitis evaluation
–patch testing
• Pulmonary function (spirometry, exhaled nitric oxide measurement)
• Bronchoprovocation testing
• Inhalant immunotherapy
• Omalizumab (Xolair) immunomodulator therapy
–indicated for moderate-severe asthma
• Venom immunotherapy
• Evaluation of immune competence

Reminder of referral guidelines for allergy, asthma patients

Fall is allergy season. Philip Halverson, MD, Allergy and Asthma Specialists, says, “There is an under-appreciation of the morbidity of allergic rhinitis and its impact on quality of life. This disease doesn’t get the respect it deserves.”

Referral guidelines developed by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) range from allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis to urticaria/angioedema and include allergies to drugs, foods and even insects.

According to the AAAAI, allergists offer allergy and asthma services not usually available in primary care, including:

Bronchoprovocation testing

Inhalant immunotherapy

Immunomodulator therapy

Venom immunotherapy

Drug desensitization

Evaluation of immune competence

Specialists also can help manage chronic conditions where allergy is not always identified, such as rhinosinusitis, conjunctivitis, asthma, cough, urticaria/ angioedema, eczema and anaphylaxis.

Primary care physicians have referred to specialists for years, often using their own guidelines, according to David Brockway, MD, Richfield Medical Group. “If someone with respiratory issues doesn’t respond to antihistamines, steroid nasal sprays or a non-steroid leukotriene inhibitor like Singulair®, I will refer to a specialist,” he says.

Cherie Zachary, MD, Midwest ENT Specialists, recommends that primary care providers refer when the patient experiences one or more urgent care or emergency visits for asthma or is hospitalized. She also wants to see patients who take moderate to high doses of inhaled steroids or oral prednisone more than once a year.

“They are candidates for evaluation,” Zachary says, “especially pediatric patients because prednisone and inhaled corticosteroids can cause adverse growth effects.”

“Medical literature is clear when it comes to the treatment of patients with asthma,” Zachary adds. “Allergists are more cost-effective because patients end up in the hospital less frequently.”

Halverson says the time to refer an asthma patient is when he or she has moderate to severe or persistent asthma requiring ongoing therapy with a controller. “We can determine whether a chronic cough is actually asthma or perhaps post-nasal drainage or reflux, each of which is treated differently,” he says.

Mee Lee Nelson, MD, an allergy and asthma specialist with Southdale Pediatric Associates, encourages primary care physicians to seek a board-certified allergist for patients with difficult-to-treat allergies or asthma.

“Patients who have had chronic hives, with or without angioedema, for six weeks or more should also probably see an allergy specialist,” adds Halverson.

Nelson says, “Food-related allergies should always be treated by a specialist. We know how to interpret blood test results, which can sometimes produce false positives. We also know that patients sometimes outgrow food allergies and can resume eating troublesome foods after a period of time.”

For more information on referral guidelines for patients with allergies or asthma, visit Fairview Physician Associate’s specialty referral guide, or go to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology website at www.aaaai.org.