Allergy Doctor

16/06/2024

Dear Community Members,

On this special Father's Day, we want to extend our heartfelt wishes to all the incredible fathers, grandfathers, and father figures within our community. Your strength, dedication, and unwavering support shine brightly, especially in the face of the unique challenges that come with managing allergies.

We understand that navigating daily life with allergies can be demanding, and the role you play in ensuring the well-being of your loved ones is truly admirable. Your vigilance, care, and love make a world of difference, and your efforts do not go unnoticed.

May this Father's Day be filled with joy, relaxation, and cherished moments with your family. Here’s to celebrating you, for all that you do and all that you are. Thank you for being a pillar of strength and a source of enduring love.

With warmest regards

05/02/2024

I see patients with urticaria on a daily basis. The effect it has on their quality of life is significant. Many of them have tried changing their diets (to no effect). Most have consulted before and was prescribed various medication and ointments, to little effect.

Attached is a useful Decision Aid to help you make informed decisions on the management of your urticaria.

https://gaapp.sdm.health/

22/01/2024

15/12/2023

08/11/2023

A lot of people believe that their asthma is well controlled as long as they have their reliever medication. Studies have shown that even patients with mild asthma could end up with severe life threatening attacks because they over rely on relievers. Want to check if that is the case for you?

https://www.yes2breathe.co.za/reliever-reliance/?utm_source=drmichaelmol&utm_medium=facebook_content&utm_campaign=resp_bor_alwayson&utm_content=sabina_study

The recently updated global recommendations overturn decades of asthma care, highlighting the need to re-examine asthma treatment. The guidelines show that poor asthma control and over reliance on reliever inhalers are linked to an increased risk of asthma attacks.

27/10/2023

Much has been written, yet little said about metal hypersensitivity in patients with joint replacements. Although many patients have successfull joint replacement procedures, a small portion may already have or develop hypersensitivity to Nickel. Patch testing is considered a valid method for testing for hypersensitivity.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36050799/

09/10/2023

Few patients have endured the torture that comes with urticaria.

Luckily technology can help monitor symptoms and provide proof to assist in motivating for biologicals.

CRUSE Controle

29/09/2023

Looking forward to keeping abreast with the newest developments in allergies 🙌🏻
Allergy Foundation South Africa

22/09/2023

Summer is almost here and with it a lot of interaction with bees. Preventing bee stings are one of the options that patients with bee sting allergies can use.
See this guide from the South African Allergy Foundation for more information

https://www.allergyfoundation.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/24-bee-and-wasp-allergy-Thermofisher-AFSA.pdf

01/12/2022

https://find-it.co.za/2022/11/29/ma-verloor-tweede-seun-in-twee-jaar-weens-asma/?fbclid=IwAR00MrvlJLCInEfHR5DDhSKqf3FJInbgieW9Mht4NHV44SWN7jbqhxGPyUs

😔😢

CJ het die naweek by 'n vriend gaan kuier toe hy Sondag die aanval kry. Sy asmapompie wou nie vir die aanval help nie.

26/11/2022

Who should manage patients with allergies? Paediatricians? Internists? ENT's? GP'S?

The answer is everyone which is why it is so wonderful to see primary care stepping up and take a leading role in allergy medicine. Ultimately it is about our patients and Family Medicine can make a big difference.

16/10/2022

Short Acting Beta Agonists (SABAs) - reliever inhalers for asthmatic patients provide fast relief when patients feel tight chested. But did you know frequent need for SABAs may be a sign that your asthma is uncontrolled and that you are at risk for becoming unresponsive to your reliever inhaler? Make sure that you use the right treatment at the right time!

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7160635/

Overuse of short-acting β[2] -agonists (SABA) may indicate poor asthma control and adverse health outcomes. Contemporary population-based data on use, risk factors and impact of SABA (over)use on asthma exacerbations and mortality are scarce, ...

02/10/2022

As we enter the last part of the year I always notice that people's medical aids start to run out and that they have to start paying for consultations and medication out of pocket. This could lead to mismanagement of their chronic conditions.

This is why medical schemes have to make provision for Prescribed Minimum Benefits (PMB).

Did you know that asthma is a PMB condition? This means that once your doctor has registered you for a qualifying condition, your medical aid will continue to pay for your medications as well as a certain number of consultations (special investigations also covered - lung function tests in the case of asthma) even though your general funds have run out.

https://www.medicalschemes.com/files/CMScript/CMScript5Of2016.pdf

01/10/2022

Urticaria (also known as hives) is a disease characterized by the sudden development of itchy pale red bumps (wheals, hives) on the skin. Wheals may present in variable sizes and shapes and have a fleeting nature, with the skin returning to its normal appearance in around 24 hours. These wheals may appear in certain parts of the body, or they may be generalized. Hives are often accompanied by swelling known as angioedema.

https://urticariaday.org

15/09/2022

Continued professional development should be a permanent activity for any health professional. The ALLSA Allergy Congress plays such a big role in educating health care professionals. Already had an amazing work shop on drug allergies and testing. Looking forward to the rest of the Congress!!

14/09/2022

14/09/2022

I have often encountered patients who suffer from eczema/atopic dermatitis. Understanding this condition and how to manage it can go a long way in improving quality of life.

08/09/2022

Sometimes doctors may not take you seriously - not realizing how severely the eczema is affecting your life. If this is the case don't give up! There are doctors who can help you - have a look on the Allergy Foundation of South Africa's website or ask for referrals on the Facebook support group.

Are you feeling exhausted in the morning due to Atopic Eczema?

Join our Facebook support group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/saeczemasupport

04/09/2022

https://www.netwerk24.com/netwerk24/nuus/mense/man-45-sterf-na-bysteek-op-gholfbaan-20220904

😔😢

’n Man is dood nadat hy Vrydag op ’n gholfbaan buite Pretoria deur ’n by gesteek is.

29/08/2022

When managing hay fever (allergic rhinitis), many patients in my practice suffer severe symptoms which has an impact on their quality of life. Allergic Rhinitis can have far reaching consequences like poor sleep leading to poor concentration and tiredness. Lately uncontrolled rhinitis has been recognised as a cause for poor asthma control. Comprehensive management includes correct medication and application, allergen avoidance and long term control using immunotherapy.

16/08/2022

With spring on our doorstep, tree pollen levels will be rising. Many of my patients who suffer mainly in spring time are allergic to trees, specifically plane trees (platanus) which are polular town and city trees. Luckily it is possible to identify if you are allergic. Using the correct treatment can help you manage your symptoms optimally. Immunotherapy can provide a permanent cure.

12/08/2022

Spring is around the corner which means that pollen season is about to commence. Trees like oaks are a common contributor specifically during spring. Here are a few useful facts

https://www.thermofisher.com/allergy/za/en/allergen-fact-sheets.html?allergen=oak-tree

05/08/2022

Being a doctor means constantly learning, studying and yes, teaching.

https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5530

The South African Family Practice is a peer-reviewed scientific journal, which strives to provide primary care physicians (and their teams), as well as researchers, with a broad range of scholarly work in the disciplines of family medicine, primary health care, rural medicine, district health and ot...

20/07/2022

Ever heard of Thunderstorm asthma? Thunderstorms can precipitate asthma and patients with pollen allergies and asthma should avoid the outdoors during and after thunderstorms occurring during pollen seasons. One more reason why patients with asthma should have their allergens identified.

https://www.lung.org/blog/can-a-thunderstorm-trigger-asthma

There are few things as ominous as thunder. It says there's a storm coming, or somewhere lightning has struck. But can a thunderstorm actually make you sick? The answer is yes!

29/06/2022

Not only can you save three lives by donating blood. You can also score two free movie tickets.

09/06/2022

https://potchefstroomherald.co.za/?p=108428

Dr. Staats het Siënna Vrydag, 3 Junie by Mooimed Hospitaal met ‘n sewe uur lange orale immunoterapiesessie behandel waar sy spesiale grondboontjieproteine in bitter klein hoeveelhede toegedien is.

05/06/2022

This year during World Allergy Week the focus is on the connection between asthma and allergies. Knowing what you are allergic to and how to limit your exposure can make a significant difference!

02/06/2022

Recent fluctuations in the cost of EpiPens — epinephrine auto-injectors that are used as emergency treatment of anaphylaxis and other indications — have led to lawsuits and pricy settlements. Combine that with longstanding anxiety surrounding the injection method, and it's no wonder that news ab...

19/05/2022

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