April 20, 2020 | Black & Kletz Allergy
Pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP), also known as polymorphic eruption of pregnancy, is the most common skin disease of pregnancy. This polymorphic (i.e., different shapes and forms) skin eruption occurs in approximately 0.5% or 1 in 200 pregnancies. The cause of this condition is generally unknown. Individuals with this condition exhibit a very itchy (i.e., pruritus) rash that […]
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April 11, 2020 | Black & Kletz Allergy
Asthma is a fairly common disease in the U.S. Asthma is a chronic disease that causes inflammation of the bronchial tubes (i.e., breathing tubes) resulting is symptoms that may include chest tightness, wheezing, shortness of breath, and/or coughing. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 25 million people in the U.S. […]
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March 20, 2020 | Black & Kletz Allergy
Hives (i.e., urticaria) are a fairly common occurrence which is usually very annoying to the individual who suffers from them. They are often called “welts” by the general public and “wheals” by allergists. Hives are itchy, red blotches on the skin that are usually raised. Some affected individuals may experience a burning sensation while others […]
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February 19, 2020 | Black & Kletz Allergy
Why do we cough? Coughing is a natural defense mechanism to expel excessive mucus, microbes, and irritant substances from our airways which acts to protect our lungs from the potential damage caused by them. Coughing, however, can also be a bothersome symptom and is one of the most common reasons why patients consult their doctors. […]
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February 19, 2020 | Black & Kletz Allergy
Historically, March is the month that many trees begin pollinating in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. This year, trees have begun to pollinate in February, as the temperatures in the metro area have been higher than normal for a typical Winter. We will begin to see tree pollen marked by a yellowish coating on our […]
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January 23, 2020 | Black & Kletz Allergy
Most everyone is aware of the classic and common allergies that many individuals suffer from routinely. Allergies to dust mites, molds, pollens, pets, and/or cockroaches usually manifest themselves as symptoms of allergic rhinitis (i.e., hay fever), allergic conjunctivitis (i.e., eye allergies), and/or asthma. Food allergies are not uncommon and it commonly known that the most […]
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January 20, 2020 | Black & Kletz Allergy
Keratoconjunctivitis is term used to describe inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva. Keratitis specifically is the inflammation of the cornea (i.e., the transparent dome that covers the pupil and the iris of the eye). Conjunctivitis, on the other hand, is the inflammation of the conjunctiva [i.e., the thin membrane covering the sclera (i.e., the white […]
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December 09, 2019 | Black & Kletz Allergy
What are some of the causes? As we enter into the season of colder days and nights in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, we are exposed to colder and drier air. The cold and dry air in conjunction with lower humidity levels predispose individuals to flare-ups of eczematous skin conditions. Layers of clothing during outdoor […]
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December 06, 2019 | Black & Kletz Allergy
Twenty percent of the U.S population have cat allergies and 10% of the population have dog allergies. In the U.S., the most common pet are dogs, which are followed by cats as the second most common pet. Approximately 70% of homes having at least one pet. This is a higher percentage of homes with pets […]
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November 30, 2019 | Black & Kletz Allergy
As we are in the Fall season and approaching Winter, many individuals may experience a clear runny nose, post-nasal drip, sneezing, sore throat, nasal congestion, sinus pressure, headache, coughing, and/or fatigue. The question to many becomes, “Do I have a common cold or do I have Fall/Winter allergies? It is a common question to an […]
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