Keystone Allergy and Asthma Center

07/24/2025

What is the Air Quality Index (AQI)?

The AQI is a daily measurement that tells you how clean or polluted your outdoor air is. The AQI reports on five major air pollutants: ozone, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide. Think of it as a weather forecast for the air you breathe!
📊 Today's AQI in Exton: 83 (Moderate) - Dominant pollutant is PM2.5 (tiny particles that irritate the eyes, nose, and respiratory system)
Why This Matters for Your Allergies:
When air quality is poor, it doesn't just make breathing harder - it actually makes allergens like pollen stick around longer in the air and can make your allergy symptoms more severe. Poor air quality can also inflame your respiratory system, making you more sensitive to allergens you encounter.

Tips for High AQI Days:
🏠 Stay indoors during peak pollution hours (usually midday)
🪟 Keep windows and doors closed
❄️ Use air conditioning instead of opening windows
💨 Run air purifiers with HEPA filters in bedrooms and main living areas
🚗 Avoid outdoor exercise - move workouts indoors
🌅 If you must go outside, early morning is usually best
📱 Check daily AQI at AirNow.gov or weather apps

At Keystone Allergy and Asthma Center in Exton, we help you breathe easier every day of the year! Whether it's seasonal allergies, asthma triggered by poor air quality, or chronic respiratory issues, our experienced team is here to provide personalized treatment plans.

Ready to take control of your allergies? Call us today to schedule your consultation!

07/21/2025

🥜 Cashew & Pistachio Allergy: What You Should Know! 🌰
Cashew and pistachio allergies often go hand-in-hand due to their close botanical relationship. These nuts contain similar storage proteins that can trigger severe allergic reactions, even with small exposures.

🚨 Reactions can range from mild hives to life-threatening anaphylaxis — which is why carrying an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) is crucial for anyone diagnosed with a tree nut allergy.

💉 For patients with frequent allergic reactions or those who are highly sensitized, Xolair (omalizumab) may be considered as a treatment option to reduce allergic response.

If you or your child has a tree nut allergy, talk to us about:

Cross-reactivity with other nuts

Reading labels and avoiding hidden sources

Emergency action plans and medication options

📞 Call us today to schedule an allergy evaluation or learn more about treatment options like Xolair!

07/16/2025

🌞 Meet Our Summer Intern! 🌟

We're excited to welcome our summer intern to Keystone Allergy & Asthma Center! 🎓✨

Working alongside our team to learn the ins and outs of allergy and asthma care — from helping patients understand their triggers to supporting our behind-the-scenes work.

Be sure to say hi if you see them around the clinic! 👋 We love helping future healthcare professionals grow.

07/15/2025

🐝 Venom Allergy Awareness at Keystone Allergy! 🐝

Did you know that not all stinging insects are the same—and their nests can tell you a lot about them?

🌼 **Honeybees** are generally gentle unless provoked. They nest in hives—often in hollow trees or man-made boxes—and only sting once.

🏡 **Yellowjackets** are more aggressive and *love your picnic food*. They build paper-like nests underground or in wall voids. Be careful when mowing lawns!

🛠️ **Paper Wasps** make open, umbrella-shaped nests under eaves, decks, or playsets. Their sting can pack a punch, especially if you're allergic.

🌲 **Hornets** (like bald-faced hornets) build large, hanging nests in trees or shrubs. They’re fiercely protective and will defend their territory in swarms.

🩺 For those with venom allergies, even one sting can be dangerous. If you've had swelling beyond the sting site, trouble breathing, or dizziness after a sting—get evaluated. We offer venom allergy testing and life-saving immunotherapy right here in Exton.

06/17/2025

🌟 Meet Our Summer Intern Samhita! 🌟

We're excited to welcome our amazing summer intern to Keystone Allergy and Asthma Center! 💉📋

Already jumping in and making a difference—helping with patient care, learning the ropes, and bringing fresh energy to our team. Grateful to have them with us this season! ☀️👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️

06/16/2025

Gold contact allergy can exist, sometimes it is more difficult to diagnose, especially due to increase fall positive results. Many times more prolonged testing is needed.

Concern about gold allergy from:
- Jewelry - gold and gold plated allergy
- dental gold - gold fillings, can show lichenoid type reactions and or lesions
- Other implanted material like gold plated stents
- Newest from gold plated headphones due to charging contacts

Please speak with Keystone Allergy and Asthma Center if you concerned about contact irritant or allergic dermatitis.

06/12/2025

In light of recent tragedies involving food allergy-related anaphylaxis, we want to remind everyone of the importance of staying vigilant when it comes to food allergies.

One of the most critical steps in preventing allergic reactions is carefully reading food labels. Even small oversights can have serious consequences.

We highly encourage everyone to review this helpful resource from FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education) on how to properly read food labels:
👉 https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/how-read-food-label

Please take a moment to read and share this with friends, family, and caregivers—especially those caring for individuals with food allergies. Awareness saves lives. 💙

We have some new treatment options for patients suffering from food allergies. Please book your visit with Keystone Allergy and Asthma to discuss food allergy action plan.

06/02/2025

The FDA has issued a safety warning about a rare but potentially severe reaction that can occur after discontinuing long-term use of certain oral allergy medications, specifically cetirizine (Zyrtec) and levocetirizine (Xyzal). Some individuals have reported experiencing intense, widespread itching—known as pruritus—within days of stopping these medications after months or years of daily use.

While this reaction is uncommon, it's important to be aware of the possibility. In many cases, the itching subsides upon resuming the medication, but it's crucial to consult with a healthcare provider before making any changes to your medication regimen.

If you have concerns about your allergy medications or experience unexpected symptoms, don't hesitate to reach out to our office. We're here to help you manage your allergies safely and effectively.

03/10/2025

Research show increased risk of atopy for asthma, allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, atopic dermatitis, and even food allergies from cesarean deliveries. Hypothesis right now suggest lack of microbial diversity from cesarean delivery could be playing part vs natural delivery. Important to monitor for these atopic conditions for infants through their early development years and seek guidance from allergy and asthma physician. https://www.jaci-inpractice.org/article/S2213-2198(24)00645-7/fulltext

It is unclear whether cesarean delivery increases the risk of allergic diseases in offspring.

02/18/2025

If you or your child has been prescribed an EpiPen (or any epinephrine auto-injector), it’s critical to always carry TWO with you at all times. Here’s why:

01/17/2025

Friday Shrimp Challenge !!

Today, one of our amazing patient rocked their shrimp oral challenge! 🏆 They went from “Is it safe?” to “Pass the cocktail sauce!” 🍤

Let's talk about your food allergy with Keystone Allergy and Asthma Center. Text or call us at 484-897-7143 for a comprehensive allergy and asthma evaluation. 💙

01/13/2025

What if you are allergic to... cat? Read our helpful post about allergies related to cats.

https://keystoneallergy.com/2025/01/11/what-if-i-am-allergic-to-cats/

call or text us at 484-897-7143 to discuss your allergy triggers and how we can help you.