AAPRI - Patient Services - Voted Top Doctor by Rhode Island Magazine. Specializing in the treatment of allergy related problems such as asthma, allergies, hives, allergic reactions, bee sting reactions, eczema and sinus problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

uestion: I am already starting to have allergy symptoms. I have itchy watery eyes, runny nose, postnasal drip and sinus headaches. Is the ragweed already out? My symptoms last until November.

nswer: Your symptoms are typical of hay fever or what is medically termed allergic rhinitis. Ragweed is a fall pollen. Typically the ragweed pollen season begins in the middle of August and lasts until the first frost at the end of September. Many patients who are experiencing symptoms now, are also bothered by mold allergen. Mold spores are common in the air at this time of year, both from indoor and outdoor sources. Mold is a common allergen throughout November. In fact, pollen counts are overall low now. Mold spore counts are currently high.

uestion: Doesn't a vaporizer help allergy symptoms?

nswer: Yes the vapor helps symptoms but it may also encourage dust mite and mold allergen growth thus ultimately aggravate a patient's underlying allergic rhinitis and asthma. Both of these are common indoor allergens. The goal is to maintain indoor humidity between 30-40%.

uestion: I get diarrhea and cramping from milk. Is this an allergy that can be skin tested for?

nswer: A common type of milk intolerance or sensitivity is lactose intolerance where the gut does not have enough lactase to break down the lactose sugar. This leads to water retention in the gut causing the pain and diarrhea. This is not mediated by the allergy antibody IgE and therefore is not a classic food "allergy". Patients can tolerate "Lactaid" milk or milk if they have lactase supplement. Patients with true milk allergy that is mediated by allergy antibodies cannot tolerate any form of milk, including the "Lactaid" milk.

uestion: Is the otc "Claritin" as potent as the prescription "Claritin". I was on this for allergy symptoms in the past and needed a prescription but now it is available otc.

nswer: OTC "Claritin" is 10mg of loratadine. This is the same strength as was previously only available by prescription.

uestion: Isn't water bad for eczema? I like to avoid washing as I am concerned the soap will aggravate my eczema.

nswer: Eczema or atopic dermatitis actually craves water. The more one hydrates their skin the better it is for it. We recommend frequent bathing in warm not hot water but it is important to pat the skin dry within 3 minutes and then use a white scent free moisturizer to hold in the moisture.

uestion: My son developed anaphylaxis after bee sting. He had trouble breathing, swelling of his face and lips as well as hives. He was taken by ambulance to the ER. Aren't there shots for this?

nswer: Allergy injections, termed venom immunotherapy is very effective as preventative treatment for venom anaphylaxis. It is recommended for children with severe systemic reactions and any adult with a systemic reaction to bee sting.

uestion: I have a constant cough. It can keep me up all night. Is this an allergy?

nswer: Common causes of chronic cough include chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis combination of these. These can be evaluated by an allergist. . A person may have allegic rhinitis, (hay fever type symptoms) with postnasal drip, asthma, cough due to medication such as blood pressure pill or silent GERD (esophageal reflux).