Welcome Dr. Kuhn’s Patients to Advanced ENT & Allergy

A food allergy is an immediate reaction caused by the immune system reacting to a protein in a food. Symptoms typically involve the development of hives, wheezing, difficulty breathing, vomiting, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, and low blood pressure. Some of the most common food allergens include peanuts, shellfish, fish, tree nuts, eggs, dairy, wheat, sesame and soy.

According to FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education), food allergy has a prevalence of 1 in 10 adults and 1 in 13 children in the US. The best way to prevent the development of food allergies is the early introduction of allergenic food into children's diets. This is especially important for children with severe eczema because this can increase their risk of developing food allergies. Treatment involves primarily avoidance. There are newer therapies that can reduce the threshold for a reaction, but as of now there is no cure for food allergy.

Allergies to stinging insects occur when the immune system reacts to the venom injected by certain insects when they sting. These reactions can vary from mild irritation to severe, life-threatening reactions like anaphylaxis. Common stinging insects that cause allergic reactions include bees, wasps, hornets and yellowjackets.

Drug allergies occur when the immune system reacts to a medication. Symptoms can range from a mild skin reaction, like hives, to severe reactions such as anaphylaxis or severe skin rashes (e.g. Stevens-Johnson Syndrome). Common triggers include antibiotics, like penicillin or cephalosporins, sulfa drugs, and NSAIDs/aspirin.

About 10% of patients report an allergy to penicillin, while 90% of these patients are found to not have a true allergy to penicillin after all. For people who have had reactions to penicillin in the past, 10% outgrow their allergy every year, with about 80-90% of patients completely outgrowing their penicillin allergy after 10 years.

Asthma is a chronic condition where the airways become inflamed and narrow, making it difficult to breathe. Symptoms include wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, often at night or in the morning. Asthma can be triggered by allergens, smoke, respiratory infections, exercise, or temperature changes. Avoiding triggers and managing symptoms with medication can greatly improve your quality of life.

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic skin condition that causes redness, itching, and inflammation. It often appears as dry, cracked skin and can worsen with exposure to irritants like soaps, certain fabrics, or environmental factors. Eczema is commonly linked to other allergic conditions such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, and food allergy. Eczema is more common in children, but can affect all ages. While it can cause significant disruption in quality of life, it can be effectively managed with the right skin care routine and medications.