ARIZONA ASTHMA & ALLERGY INSTITUTE

Happy Medical Assistant's Week! This week we celebrate the dedication, hard work, and compassion of our amazing Medical Assistants. You are the heart of healthcare, supporting patients and providers every step of the way. Thank you for all you do to keep our communities healthy!

Halloween is a time for fun and creativity, but it can pose challenges for those with allergies. Here are essential tips to help you navigate the spooky season safely. 1. Understand Your Allergies: Identify your specific allergies, such as seasonal pollen, food allergens (like nuts or gluten), or skin sensitivities to costume materials and face paints. Consult an allergist if needed. 2. Choose Costumes Carefully: If possible, select costumes made from natural fabrics like cotton or linen to reduce skin irritation. Use hypoallergenic face paints and perform patch tests ahead of time. 3. Plan Treats Wisely: Stock up on allergy-friendly treats, such as those from brands like Enjoy Life. After trick-or-treating, check all candy for allergens and discard unsafe items. 4. Medication: As temperatures drop around this time of year, asthma symptoms can be triggered. Pollen counts are also still rising! Be sure to continue your routine, preventative medication as prescribed and contact your allergist if you are having more symptoms. 5. Be Prepared for Emergencies: Always carry an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) if you have severe allergies. Ensure friends and family know how to use it and have an action plan in place.

Congratulations Heather on your 6 year anniversary with AAAI! Your dedication, hard work and positive energy make a huge impact on our patient's experience in our Phoenix office.

Happy National Physician Assistants Week! We celebrate the dedication, compassion, and expertise of PAs who work tirelessly to provide high-quality healthcare to patients. Your ability to diagnose, treat, and care for patients with empathy and precision is invaluable. thank you for being an essential part of the healthcare team and making a difference in countless lives every day! Thank you PAs!! 👏

Congratulations Katie for your 5 year work anniversary with AAAI! Your hard work, dedication and positive energy make a huge impact in our patient's care!

What is FPIES? FPIES stands for Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome. It is a type of food allergy that affects the stomach and intestines. Unlike other food allergies that can cause hives or breathing problems, FPIES causes vomiting, diarrhea, and sometimes low energy. These symptoms usually show up a few hours after eating a certain food, and they can make you feel very sick. What causes FPIES? FPIES happens when your body has a bad reaction to certain foods, but the foods that trigger it can be different for each person. Common foods that can cause FPIES in children are cow’s milk, soy, rice, and oats; In adults, the most common trigger is shellfish. Even though FPIES doesn’t cause an immediate reaction, it can still make you feel very ill after a few hours. Doctors aren’t sure why some people get FPIES, but they know it involves your immune system not working correctly with certain foods. While most kids outgrow FPIES by the age of 3 to 5 years, some people can still have FPIES as adults or even develop it later in life. How is FPIES treated? The best way to manage FPIES is to avoid the foods that trigger it. Sometimes, doctors will run tests or have you try small amounts of food in a safe place to figure out which foods cause problems. If you accidentally eat a food that triggers FPIES and start feeling sick, you might need to go to the hospital to get treated with fluids to help you recover. Most kids outgrow FPIES, but for adults who have it, it’s important to keep track of your triggers and work closely with your doctor to stay healthy.

What Are the Most Common Chemicals That Cause Contact Dermatitis?   Have you ever had an itchy, red rash after touching something? That’s called contact dermatitis, and it happens when your skin reacts to certain chemicals or substances. Let's talk about some of the most common chemicals that can cause this kind of rash.   1. Nickel: Nickel is a metal found in many everyday items like jewelry, zippers, and even some coins. It’s one of the most common causes of contact dermatitis. If you’re allergic to nickel, touching it can make your skin red, itchy, and bumpy. Sometimes, the rash can even blister.   2. Fragrances: Many soaps, perfumes, lotions, and shampoos contain fragrances to make them smell nice. But for some people, these fragrances can be irritating. If you're sensitive to these chemicals, you might notice a rash where you applied a scented product.   3. Preservatives: Preservatives are chemicals that help keep products from spoiling. They’re often found in things like makeup, lotions, and shampoos. Some common preservatives that cause contact dermatitis include methylisothiazolinone and parabens. If your skin reacts to these, it could get dry, red, and itchy.   4. Latex: Latex is a type of rubber used in things like gloves, balloons, and some medical supplies. People who are allergic to latex can develop contact dermatitis when they touch it. The rash can be itchy, red, and even painful.   5. Poison Ivy (and Other Plants): Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac are plants that can cause a strong allergic reaction in many people. When you touch these plants, your skin may develop a red, itchy rash, sometimes with blisters. This happens because of a chemical in the plants called urushiol.   6. Cleaning Products: Many cleaning products contain harsh chemicals like bleach and ammonia. These chemicals can irritate your skin, especially if you use them often without wearing gloves. The rash from these products can be dry, red, and sometimes cracked.   How to Protect Your Skin: If you know you're sensitive to any of these chemicals, it's important to avoid them as much as possible. Here are a few tips:   - Wear gloves when using cleaning products or working with plants like poison ivy. - Choose fragrance-free soaps and lotions if you’re sensitive to fragrances. - Look for nickel-free jewelry if you have a nickel allergy. - Read labels on products to check for preservatives or other chemicals you might be allergic to.   If you do get a rash suspected to be from chemicals, it’s a good idea to see an allergist. They can help you figure out what caused it and how to treat it! 

Congratulations Dr. Erdos on your 16 year work anniversary at AAAI! Your commitment and invaluable contributions are inspiring to others. Here's to many more years of success!

Congratulations to Dr. Nicholson and Dr. Ortega for your 2 year work anniversary at AAAI! We are so grateful to have you both.

Congratulations Dr. Casper on your 17 year work anniversary at AAAI! Your dedication, expertise and passion have made an incredible impact to improving lives of those with Asthma and Allergies.