Giselle R.
Read the full articleAs a musical theater major at the Chicago College of Performing Arts, 19-year-old Giselle spends her days singing, dancing and… right medical care, she participated in soccer, swimming and competitive figure skating. Giselle manages her disease through a treatment regimen that includes allergy shots and…
As fall arrives, so do fire ants in southeastern parts of the U.S.
Read the full articleThey aren’t part of fall allergies, but their stings are painful and can be dangerous.… annoying sting; they can have life-threating allergic reactions. For optimal protection against allergies to life-threatening fire ant stings, allergists recommend allergy shots, also known as subcutaneous immunotherapy. Allergy shots can…
Allergy Facts
Read the full articleAllergy Facts Asthma and allergic diseases, such as allergic rhinitis (hay fever), food allergy, and eczema, are common for all… rhinitis treatment options are: avoidance, eliminating or decreasing your exposure to the irritants or allergens that trigger your symptoms, medication and immunotherapy (allergy shots). Immunotherapy…
Cockroach Allergy
Read the full articleCockroaches live in all types of buildings and all kinds of neighborhoods. Luckily for people who develop symptoms when they… a raised, red and itchy bump. If a reaction develops, your allergist may recommend medications, either prescription or over-the-counter, or allergy shots, which help your…
Insect Sting Allergies
Read the full articleStings from five insects - honeybees, hornets, wasps, yellow jackets and fire ants - are known to cause allergic reactions… FlushingHivesItchingAnaphylaxis (less common), a potentially life-threatening reaction that may impair breathing and can cause the body to go into shockInsect Sting Allergy Management and TreatmentAvoid insects.Immediately…
Pollen Allergies
Read the full articlePollens and molds can cause allergy and asthma symptoms, and you need to know what you’re allergic to so you… about medications that can be taken in advance of pollen season.Two immunotherapy options are available for those with severe pollen allergies:Allergy shots can help your…
Claudette S.
Read the full articleClaudette S. says, “I’m not the typical allergy patient.” Claudette, a speech therapist, doesn’t have asthma, and until a few… understood why my eyes felt so itchy and irritated that I couldn't wear contacts," she says. Claudette's allergist prescribed immunotherapy (allergy shots), and Claudette took…
Eye Allergy
Read the full articleIf your eyes itch and are red, tearing or burning, you may have eye allergies (allergic conjunctivitis), a condition that… your symptoms worse)See an allergist for prescription medications, which may be more effective:Eyedrops (decongestant, antihistamine, mast cell stabilizer, corticosteroid, NSAID)Allergy shots (immunotherapy)Nonsedating oral antihistamines (note…
Allergy Facts
Read the full articleAllergies are the 6th leading cause of chronic illness in the U.S.… treatment options are: avoidance, eliminating or decreasing your exposure to the irritants or allergens that trigger your symptoms, medication and immunotherapy (allergy shots).Immunotherapy (allergy shots) helps reduce hay fever symptoms in about 85%…
Martha, Adam, and Clayton W.
Read the full articleAsthma and allergies are truly a family affair for Martha W.’s family: she has asthma and allergies; her husband, Adam,… diet, his gastrointestinal issues disappeared," Martha says. The allergist's regimen to treat Adam's mold and dust-mite allergies includes immunotherapy (allergy shots), antihistamines, and a nasal…
I'm allergic to my pet but don't want to get rid of them, what should I do?
Read the full articleMost people really don't want to get rid of their pets, and even when they do many of their friends… taking them on a regular basis. If that doesn't work or doesn't work well enough, then we consider things like allergy shots or immunotherapy. Very…
Ragweed Allergy
Read the full articleThe pollen from ragweed causes allergy symptoms in many people. These symptoms include sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, and itchy… allergist whether any of your medications can be taken before symptoms develop. Two immunotherapy options are available for severe cases of ragweed allergy: Allergy shots…
Late Summer is the Time to Start Preparing for Fall Ragweed Season
Read the full articleConsidered the most allergenic of all pollens, ragweed pops up throughout the East and Midwest starting in mid-August.… Once ragweed allergy season starts, it can feel like there’s no end in sight when it comes to fall allergy misery. Climate change is a big…
Late Summer is the Time to Start Preparing for Fall Ragweed Season
Read the full articleConsidered the most allergenic of all pollens, ragweed pops up throughout the East and Midwest starting in mid-August.… Once ragweed allergy season starts, it can feel like there’s no end in sight when it comes to fall allergy misery. Climate change is a big reason…
What does asthma have to do with your allergies? Probably a lot.
Read the full articleWhile the two may not seem related, studies show about two-thirds or more of those with asthma also have an… People who have allergies often also have asthma. And people with asthma often have allergies. While the two may not seem related, studies show…
Why has ACAAI launched a Payer Education Campaign?
Read the full articleBurdensome and unreasonable requests from patients’ insurance companies for documentation regarding allergy immunotherapy services have threatened the ability of allergists/immunologists… Burdensome and unreasonable requests from patients’ insurance companies for documentation regarding allergy immunotherapy services have threatened the ability of allergists/immunologists to administer allergen immunotherapy (AIT).…
For Allergy and Asthma Sufferers, Climate Change Means Worse Symptoms and Harsher Season
Read the full articleExperts from the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) caution that pollen season is starting earlier and lasting… ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (April 11, 2023) – If you suffer from asthma or nasal allergies, you’ve probably noticed pollen season getting worse, and negatively affecting…
Asthma Facts
Read the full article8.3% of Americans have asthma.… Asthma is a chronic inflammation of the lung airways that causes coughing, chest tightness, wheezing or shortness of breath.7.7% of Americans have asthma. Of these roughly 24.9 million, 20.2 million are adults and 4.6 million are children.1Asthma prevalence is…
Allergic Asthma
Read the full articleAllergic asthma is triggered by allergens such as pollen, pets and dust.… Overview There is often a link between allergies and asthma. Not everyone who has allergies has asthma, and not everyone with asthma has allergies. But allergens such as pollen, dust and pet dander…
Your COVID-19 Facemask May Also Be Protecting You from Allergies
Read the full articleARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (August 10, 2021) – The end of summer means the beginning of fall allergy season. But you’ve… ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (August 10, 2021) – The end of summer means the beginning of fall allergy season. But you’ve probably already got at least…
Help ease back-to-school issues
Read the full articleMarch, 2021 episode covers asthma severity and difficulty learning to read and the Sept. 29, 2020 episode discusses mucus viscosity, among other allergy-related topics. Try MicroCME: get valuable information in about 30 minutes. Try SCIT or SLIT: No One Option is Perfect or Chronic…
2025 Strike Force advocates for allergists in Washington
Read the full articleThe Strike Force is an important opportunity for us to spend one day each year meeting in person with important… quality care to patients. Congress should also pass a more sustainable Medicare payment increase that accounts for inflation. Fair reimbursement for allergy shots Reimbursements for…
Keep patient payments flowing
Read the full articlealso important to avoid financial surprises by providing patients with up-front estimates, especially for high-ticket items like skin testing or allergy shots. For more details on how to implement patient financial counseling in your practice, view our free 15-minute Patient Financial Counseling…
Wins and challenges for practicing allergists
Read the full articleTherapeutic wins include Neffy®, SMART inhalers, and omalizumab’s expanded use to prevent some food allergy reactions, to name a… practice costs and inflation. Reimbursements for allergy shots, both from Medicare and commercial payers, have fallen short – to the point that some allergy practices might…
First, do no harm: How to create a culture of safety
Read the full articleDo your employees feel comfortable questioning you about an order that doesn’t seem right? Or are they reluctant to point… changes to address identified problems, and report on safety successes and results at staff meetings. Create a “Quiet Zone” for drawing up allergy shots and…
Experts in excellence at Annual Meeting
Read the full articleFonacier, MD, FACAAI presents “Lessons Learned From the Skin: How Allergists Can Help Our Patients With Their Common Concerns.” “The practice of allergy has evolved and expanded. In addition to our allergy shots, we use biologics and small molecules, perform induction of tolerance to chemotherapeutics…
Payer Education Campaign
Read the full articleBurdensome and unreasonable requests for documentation regarding CPT 95165, 95115 and 95117 services have threatened the ability of allergists/immunologists and… affect patients. https://youtu.be/BJ2vM80enso Allergists Cherie Zachary, MD, and Travis Miller, MD, explain how allergists are specially trained to prepare allergy shots for each individual patient…
Experts in excellence
Read the full articleFonacier, MD, FACAAI, presents “Lessons Learned From the Skin: How Allergists Can Help Our Patients With Their Common Concerns.” “The practice of allergy has evolved and expanded. In addition to our allergy shots, we use biologics and small molecules, perform induction of tolerance to chemotherapeutics…
Be upfront about out-of-pocket costs
Read the full articleWith an abundance of insurance plans offering different levels of coverage and cost-sharing, it’s no wonder patients are confused about… if that’s not possible, at registration. In particular, provide patients with estimates for large ticket items like skin testing or allergy shots. Many insurance plans…
Getting started with telehealth
Read the full articleDecide what type of telehealth services you want to provide. This can range from email communication all the way to… procedures needed. Allergy skin tests are problematic because the provider really should be on-site for safety purposes. The same goes for allergy shots. You might…
Trying to reach your patients?
Read the full articleIs your allergy practice still using phone calls for appointment reminders to advise patients of schedule changes, to discuss insurance… provide allergy shot reminders. All seven of the Practice Management Committee members polled use texting to remind patients of appointments or when allergy shots are…
Immunotherapy Shared Decision-Making Toolkit
Read the full articleWork together with your patients to ensure they receive the immunotherapy treatment that best suits their needs.… URL for the tool and requests that patients print their results to take to their next allergist appointment to facilitate immunotherapy discussion. Allergy Shots Fact Sheet: This handout…
COVID-19’s impact on allergists’ clinical services and protocols
Read the full articleBackground How has COVID-19 affected allergy/immunology clinical service volumes and protocols? We’ll review this data and provide a summary of… Background How has COVID-19 affected allergy/immunology clinical service volumes and protocols? We’ll review this data and provide a summary of respondent comments from the College’s…
Sharing the decision – putting patients first
Read the full articleAs Bela Schick said, “First the patient, second the patient, third the patient, fourth the patient, fifth the patient, and… As Bela Schick said, “First the patient, second the patient, third the patient, fourth the patient, fifth the patient, and then maybe comes science.In years…
For Allergy and Asthma Sufferers, Climate Change Means Worse Symptoms and Harsher Season
Read the full articleMany people don’t know that allergists are experts in treating asthma, and that nasal allergies and asthma are closely… If you suffer from asthma or nasal allergies, you’ve probably noticed pollen season getting worse, and negatively affecting your symptoms. Experts from the American College…
Improve well-being, staff retention and revenue
Read the full articleWhat if you found a way to improve the efficiency of your practice, reduce your workload, and even grow revenue, as well as increase your satisfaction and improve employee retention? It’s all possible by designing your practice team to work at the top…
Are you billing correctly for nurse practitioners and physician assistants?
Read the full articleAllergy practices are increasingly hiring nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) to grow practice revenue and improve allergist… Allergy practices are increasingly hiring nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) to grow practice revenue and improve allergist satisfaction and patient care.…
From the desk of the EMD: Reflections on a visit to China
Read the full articleRecently, I had the pleasure of giving a series of lectures on asthma topics in several respiratory hospitals and at… Recently, I had the pleasure of giving a series of lectures on asthma topics in several respiratory hospitals and at the Sichuan Medical Association meeting…
Tips for a profitable, safe and compliant practice in 2024
Read the full articleThe Practice Management Committee has outlined 10 key things every allergy and immunology practice should do to be profitable, safe,… A new year brings new beginnings – and an opportunity to set your practice up for success in the year ahead. The Practice Management…
Allergy Resources
Read the full articleACAAI Xolair Preparaton and Administration Guidelines “ Contact Dermatitis & Patch Testing ACAAI Cosmetics Patch Testing Form ACAAI Dental Patch… ACAAI Xolair Preparaton and Administration Guidelines" Contact Dermatitis & Patch Testing ACAAI Cosmetics Patch Testing FormACAAI Dental Patch Testing FormACAAI Hairdressing Patch Testing FormACAAI Patch…
