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Dr. Dvorin Interpreting the Pollen Counts at His Microscope

Blue Skies, Red Eyes: Oak Pollen on the Rise

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Oak tree pollen is in the air here in the Delaware Valley.  Today’s air sample slides were so coated in pollen that Dr. Donald Dvorin spent more than two hours at his microscope counting pollen grains and mold spores. 

“Our patients are experiencing more eye symptoms this week,” he explained.  “It’s why I set aside the time to count—to know exactly what’s in the local air today, our air right here, right now.” 

The Asthma Center is the Delaware Valley’s only official pollen count station which is certified by the National Allergy Bureau (NAB.)   Dr. Dvorin has more than 25 years of experience and training in the identification and counting of pollen grains and mold spores.  All that experience comes in handy on a day like today when there were at least 12 identifiable kinds of tree pollen and nine kinds of mold spores. 

“Without a doubt, Oak tree pollen is predominant right now and accounts for two thirds of all the pollen grains in today’s air sample,” says Dr. Dvorin. Oak Tree Pollen Grain 04 20 2016

Pictured here is an oak tree pollen grain right from Dr. Dvorin’s microscopic view of today’s air sample slide.  Oak trees are common in the Delaware Valley, and the sheer volume of pollen produced ranks it high on the list symptom-causing pollen for our area.  (Read more from Dr. Dvorin, Oak’s No Joke: Packing an Early Punch this Spring.)

“Based on our historical pollen data and our clinical experience with patients, we know eye allergy symptoms increase around the same time Oak Tree Pollen peaks here locally,” explains Dr. Dvorin.  “Given the eye allergy symptoms I’m seeing in patients right now, Oak tree pollen could peak in the Delaware Valley as early as one day this week, but that depends on a number of variables including the weather.”

 If Oak tree pollen peaks this week, according to Dr. Dvorin’s historical data for our community, the 2016 peak would be a week to 10 days earlier than peaks of the last five spring pollen seasons.  Be sure to check back daily for The Asthma Center pollen and mold spore counts or subscribe to receive The Asthma Center’s Daily Pollen and Mold Spore Count email.

“Spring pollen season is definitely the worst time of year for ocular allergies, and our patients are suffering with eye allergy symptoms,” confirms Dr. Marc Goldstein.

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If you have itchy watery eyes, eyelid problems, dark circles around your eyes, dry eyes, or reactions to contacts, you may be experiencing eye allergy symptoms.  Individuals with eye allergies may also experience crusting over the eyes in the morning.  Unlike viral eye symptoms (such as “pink eye”), ocular allergies are not contagious.  Eye allergy symptoms can vary in intensity from year to year, depending on exposure to triggering allergens like tree pollen.  On days when the pollen counts are elevated, like today, symptoms can be severe.

 

How to Get Relief?

  • Wear sunglasses or glasses outdoors to limit exposure of pollen to your eyes
  • Avoid wearing contact lenses, or switch to daily disposable contacts to avoid allergens building up on the lenses
  • Wash your hands and face frequently, including eyebrows
  • Change your pillowcase often
  • Visit an allergist to get prescription eye drops or to begin allergen immunotherapy (shots)

 

Did you know?

While dark circles under the eye are often associated with getting too little sleep, they are big indicators of allergic rhinitis. Especially present in children, these “allergic shiners” have been known to get darker as the severity of allergies increases. If your child has dark circles under their eyes or on their eyelids (a color similar to a bruise), it’s best to contact your physician/allergist to treat the underlying problem.

 

Get Relief-Saturday appointments are available!

The best way to manage your allergies is to find out exactly what’s causing your symptoms. The Asthma Center has 9 locations in PA & NJ with the following Saturday hours in addition to our normal Monday – Friday business hours.

Sneak Peek: New Study Confirms Allergy Shot Safety

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This morning, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI) sent The Asthma Center an early preview of a manuscript which will be published later in the year. Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital have confirmed the safety of allergy shots! No infectious related events occurred in more than 130,000 injections given to over 3,000 patients in a 10 year time frame (Balekian DS, Banerji A, Blumenthal K, Camargo Jr. CA, Long AA, Allergen Immunotherapy: No Evidence of Infectious Risk, Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunotherapy 2016). In our experience at The Asthma Center over the past 25 years, we have administered more than an estimated million allergy shots with no infectious complications. Our extracts are prepared through compounding allergen extracts in our allergy laboratory and are customized and personalized for each individual patient’s allergic sensitivity. For many with allergies, allergy shots (allergen immunotherapy) are a crucial part of their medical management plan. Individuals with moderate to severe allergies often don’t find relief with medications or with attempts to avoid the environmental allergens which trigger their symptoms. The statistics can be staggering: Up to 30% of the U.S. population is suspected to have allergies, with the costs of treatments estimated to be in the billions and visits to doctors and lost days from school and work estimated to cost millions. Here at The Asthma Center, we focus on the toll on an individual’s health and quality of life. That is why our specialists are on the forefront on issues of safety and access to allergy shots. These efforts are beyond our day-to-day commitment to preparing and providing the highest quality allergen extract to our patients. We’ve also seen firsthand the difference allergy shots can make in controlling symptoms and improving daily life.

#SaveAllergyShots Update

In February 2016, The Asthma Center and NBC10 broke the story in the Delaware Valley that patient access to allergy shots was in danger of being dramatically limited. If you didn’t get a chance, be sure to watch Dr. Marc Goldstein’s interview http://bit.ly/1Sq8ttF. Access to allergy shots is threatened because an advisory board (United States Pharmacopeia-USP) has made recommendations to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) about changing the regulations for compounding medications in general. The new regulations were in response to serious reports of infections that occurred with compounding, but not with compounding related to allergy shots. If the new regulations are approved, it will be unlikely that allergists will be able to continue preparing allergen extracts in the office. Nearly 16,000 supporters have signed the AAAAI petition for the FDA to keep regulations regarding allergy shots the way they are currently. Many of The Asthma Center patients have already signed and it’s not too late. The FDA has yet to rule on the recommendations. Please help us #SaveAllergyShots –Sign and share the AAAAI petition today https://www.change.org/p/united-states-pharmacopeia-save-patient-access-to-allergy-shots

Frosty Night for Locals: Understanding Spring Cold Snap

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Jersey farmers aren’t the only ones thinking about this spring’s frost…

“It’s interesting how clear the air gets when there’s frost,” remarks Dr. Dvorin, Delaware Valley’s only official pollen and mold spore counter as he finished counting today’s air sample.

Our entire region was under a “frost warning” overnight.  Within the City of Philadelphia, the mercury did drop below 32 degrees for a short while.  Of more significance to plant life, our suburban communities saw much lower temperatures for a longer period of time.   

“Weather plays such an important role in pollen and mold counts,” reminds Dr. Dvorin.  

In order to understand “what’s (not) in the air today,” weather data is sometimes the most useful. To better understand how the cold snap affected today’s pollen count, Dr. Dvorin took a look at NOAA data this morning from all the suburban communities around our office locations.

In Pennsylvania from Bucks and Delaware Counties, and New Jersey from Camden, Mercer, and Ocean Counties, a pattern emerged: all areas reported temperatures below freezing for at least seven hours overnight, with most low temps settling in the mid-20s sometime between 5:30 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.  Down the shore, near The Asthma Center’s Forked River, NJ office, temperatures dipped as low 16 degrees.

“Our patients who have been struggling with allergies and nasal congestion say there is some relief with this cold snap,” Dr. Dvorin reports.  “With trees and freezing temperatures, the buds that had started to open will tighten up to protect the process,” he explains.  “And if temperatures warm up – trees usually need about 48 hours or so—the buds will begin to reopen.”   

Could 2016 bring early spring allergies and bad blueberries?

While frost can mean temporarily good news for allergy suffers, blueberry lovers and local farmers alike are holding their breath to see what the warm weather means for this year’s crop. Frost can be devastating to blueberries, and Hammonton (the “blueberry capital of the world”) now waits to see much harm the frost brought. 

While we may have to wait for the news on Jersey blueberries, allergy sufferers don’t have to wait for Delaware Valley’s pollen and mold spore count. Check back daily for Dr. Dvorin’s updates and The Asthma Center pollen and mold spore counts or subscribe to receive The Asthma Center’s Daily Pollen and Mold Spore Count email.

Get Relief-Saturday appointments are available!

The best way to manage your allergies is to find out exactly what’s causing your symptoms. The Asthma Center has 9 locations in PA & NJ with the following Saturday hours in addition to our normal Monday – Friday business hours.

  • April 16: our Bala Cynwyd, PA and Langhorne, PA offices will be seeing patients.
  • April 23: the Northeast Philadelphia (Welsh Road) office will be seeing patients.
  • April 30 and May 14: the Laurel, NJ location will be seeing patients.
  • May 14 and June 4: the Langhorne, PA office will be seeing patients.

Watch Dr Dvorin’s explanation of the weather’s impact on our pollen season here.

Street Tree Mulberry Struts its Stuff

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 “I saw the first mulberry tree pollen of 2016 today,” says Dr. Dvorin, Delaware Valley’s only official pollen and mold spore counter.

Dr. Dvorin went back to his records to see if mulberry also is running ahead of schedule. “It’s almost like clockwork for mulberry to show up today,” he adds. Just as Dr. Dvorin has observed and reported for other tree species (Oak’s no joke), mulberry tree pollen is 2 weeks early, and entering the scene at more robust levels than previous years. Dr. Dvorin’s local data for our region has, over the years, generally supported the assertion by The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology that mulberry tree pollination for our area is late April and May, sometimes extending into June. Weber, Richard W. On the Cover. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. 2003 May;90(5):A6.               

“We do skin test for mulberry allergy at The Asthma Center – paper mulberry and red mulberry – and have individuals who are positive, “says Dr. Dvorin.  While little research is available on the prevalence of mulberry tree pollen allergy, Dr. Dvorin suspects that as many as 1 in 3 individuals who test positive for any tree pollen allergy may be allergic to mulberry tree pollen.  Discovering the triggers for allergy symptoms and knowing “what’s in the air” can go a long way in helping allergy sufferers minimize exposures to triggers and reduce symptoms.

What’s in store for next week?

“That’s the big question,” says Dr. Dvorin.  Colder temperatures are in most forecasts for our area for the next 7 – 10 days.  “You know how forecasts can be,” he goes on to say.  “It will be really interesting to see what happens if we have colder temperatures and what effect that will have on the pollination processes in the Delaware Valley.”  Be sure to check back daily for The Asthma Center pollen and mold spore counts or subscribe to receive The Asthma Center’s Daily Pollen and Mold Spore Count email.

Did you know?

Mulberry trees are considered “street” trees because they have been popular with city planners.  In fact, “Arch Street,” in Philadelphia was “Mulberry Street” until 1853. William Penn named many streets after trees as they were “things that grow spontaneously in the country. If you’re interested, you can visit a depiction of the Olde City Map in the plaza in front of the Ritz East Theater (125 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia).

Get Relief – Saturday appointments are available!

The best way to manage your allergies is to find out exactly what’s causing your symptoms. The Asthma Center has 9 locations in PA & NJ with the following Saturday hours in addition to our normal Monday – Friday business hours.

  • April 16: our Bala Cynwyd, PA and Langhorne, PA offices will be seeing patients.
  • April 23: the Northeast Philadelphia (Welsh Road) office will be seeing patients.
  • April 30 and May 14: the Laurel, NJ location will be seeing patients.
  • May 14 and June 4: the Langhorne, PA office will be seeing patients.

Watch Dr Dvorin’s explanation of the weather’s impact on our pollen season here.

Oak’s No Joke: Packing an Early Punch this Spring

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“I’m seeing unusual pollen distribution for Pine and Oak tree species,” says Dr. Dvorin, our expert pollen counter & board certified allergist. After counting today’s pollen and noting the oak and pine tree pollen levels, Dr. Dvorin took time to analyze his data from past spring seasons.

“Past peak levels for these trees support the common view that Oak and Pine trees are usually later-spring pollinators,” he continues. “This matters because Oak trees are one of the most common trees in the Delaware Valley.”

Dr. Dvorin goes on to explain that the sheer volume of pollen produced by Oak trees places it at the top of the list of “allergy-causing culprits” every spring in our area.  “Unfortunately, just because the season arrived early and some trees are pollinating earlier doesn’t translate into a short season or an earlier end to allergy symptoms” says Dr. Dvorin. Once the allergies are triggered, even small amounts of a trigger (like pollen) or other irritants can cause misery.

The Asthma Center is the Delaware Valley’s only official pollen count station which is certified by the National Allergy Bureau (NAB).  Dr. Dvorin has directly contributed not only to the field of pollen collection and counting for many years, but patients benefit directly from his work.  Not only can allergy sufferers learn “what’s in the air,” the allergy specialists at The Asthma Center can test whether or not what’s in the air is triggering your specific symptoms.  For example, The Asthma Center tests for types of oak tree pollen common to our area.

Did you know?

Spring sneezing and nasal congestion are just two of the many symptoms commonly associated with tree pollen allergy.  Did you know that these symptoms lead to a telltale sign on the face?  Not surprisingly, many allergy sufferers develop the habit of wiping or rubbing their nose in an upwards manner (known as the “allergic salute.”)  Over time, this can lead to an observable crease across the nose.  The habit develops, in part, because in addition to wiping mucus away, the act of pushing up the nose temporarily props open the air passages in the nostril to provide relief. 

Get Relief – Saturday appointments are available!

The best way to manage your allergies is to find out exactly what’s causing your symptoms. The Asthma Center has 9 locations in PA & NJ with the following Saturday hours in addition to our normal Monday – Friday business hours.

To watch Dr Dvorin’s explanation of the El Nino effect on our pollen season, CLICK HERE.

 

Breaking News for Asthma Sufferers

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Good news if you or someone you love has severe persistent asthma:  the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just approved a new treatment.  It is a new injectable medicine called Cinqair (reslizumab) and is indicated for those with uncontrolled severe asthma. Cinqair is the second biologic monoclonal antibody (genetically-engineered protein derived from human genes) to be approved to reduce a particular kind of allergic inflammation in the lungs and airways. Nucala (mepolizumab) was the first such biologic approved by the FDA for allergic inflammation.  Patients who are candidates for Cinqair or Nucala typically have a particular cell called an eosinophil that is elevated in the blood and lung airway.   

These newly approved biologic therapies, in addition to Xolair (omalizumab), are becoming increasingly important drug therapies for individuals whose moderate to severe asthma requires multiple medications.  Cinqair was approved 3/23/2016 but is not yet available. As more details become available, you can count on The Asthma Center to keep you informed.

Nucala and Xolair are available. However, not all specialists have the resources or experience to offer these new biologic agents to their patients.  Often patients need to use outside infusion facilities.  The result is that the process of taking these new drugs is more time consuming, inconvenient, and more costly than when done by the professionals best suited to manage your asthma.  In these circumstances, individuals report that it is “more trouble than it’s worth” to get their asthma under control and lose the chance to improve their quality of life.

The physicians, nurses and staff at The Asthma Center have years of experience conducting clinical trials on these injectable biologic medications prior to FDA approval.  We’ve seen firsthand in our clinical practice as well the difference these new treatments can make.  Our group works together to make sure our patients can benefit from these new treatments by directly receiving their injections in our conveniently located offices, from a specialty team they trust, and with as little hassle as possible.  We have a committed staff that works directly with your insurance company and drug formulary to get these drugs covered by your plan.

If you or someone you love has severe and persistent asthma which is not controlled with medications, we recommend you ask your asthma specialist if you are a candidate for one of these new, very effective medications!

 

Get Ready Before Local Pollen Attacks: In the Air, On Your Car, Up Your Nose

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Hearing more sneezing around? Buying more tissues and antihistamines for your household?

Yes, spring allergy misery arrived early this year!  You probably have lots of questions, and The Asthma Center is here with answers.   Ultimately, the best way to tackle these symptoms is to Get Clarity on what triggers your symptoms.  The board certified allergists at The Asthma Center can customize a treatment plan just for you.

What’s in the Air, now?

Since 1992 The Asthma Center has monitored pollen and mold spore counts, keeping the Delaware Valley informed on what’s in the air. Our studies have defined when the pollen seasons start, peak, and how long they last. Our resident pollen expert, Dr. Donald J. Dvorin, correctly predicted that pollen season would start early in 2016 due to the El Niño effect after Tree Pollen levels were EXTREME on Friday, 3/11/2016.

How Do Allergic Reactions Work?

Lining the mucous membranes of the nose, sinuses and lungs are unique cells known as mast cells. They release histamines and other chemical mediators that can cause inflammation of the nose, sinus and bronchial tubes. When mast cells interact with allergens, they release the chemical mediators. Your symptoms will manifest where the reaction occurs.

But What is an Allergen?

Allergens are particles, usually composed of proteins, capable of causing an allergic response. They are often airborne, invisible to the naked eye, and present in indoor environments year-round and outdoor environments during certain seasons.

What’s the Deal with Pollen?

Trees and other plants reproduce by creating pollen grains, a fine “dust,” that is often visible to the naked eye (all that yellow or green dust on cars in the morning), but other times so small that it can only be seen under a microscope. 

Not all pollen cause allergy symptoms, but those that do are light and can travel far on wind currents. Trees pollinate for two to three week intervals at various times and overlap. Similar to tree pollen, grass pollen is produced as a means of reproduction and depends on wind currents to be transported. Airborne grass pollen appears in early April, peaks throughout May, and declines in June. Weed pollens are prevalent later in the summer, with Ragweed pollen a major culprit in our area.

Right now, the following trees are pollinating: Juniper, Cedar, Maple, Walnut, Butternut, Poplar, Sycamore, and the first Pine and Elm Tree Pollen grains have been observed.

Saturday Appointments

 

Saturday appointments are available throughout the spring season so you can get relief!

The best way to manage your allergies is to find out exactly what’s causing your symptoms. The Asthma Center has  9 locations in PA & NJ with the following Saturday hours in addition to our normal Monday – Friday business hours.

To watch Dr Dvorin’s explanation of the El Nino effect on our pollen season, CLICK HERE.

Save Allergy Shots

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“Having access, as I do now, to receiving allergy shots has saved my life and helped improve the quality of my life. The proposed changes would make it difficult for me and others.” -Philadelphia, PA petition signer

Help us ‪#‎SaveAllergyShots‬! Please sign and share the AAAAI petition here: http://chn.ge/1SllYcl

Want to learn how this topic will affect you or your loved one? The Asthma Center’s Dr. Marc Goldstein interviewed with NBC10 on this topic.

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