One of the most frequent statements I hear from patients about health care in the US is why generic drugs often cost so much. As we know, health insurance plans can require patients to switch to the generic form in order to control costs. The promise of generics has been that after the patent protection of the brand drug version...
In June, I discussed the topic of whether there are hypoallergenic dogs. The question should probably be whether the person is hypoallergic. Scientific studies do not support the existence of a hypoallergenic breed of dog. However, wide variation between individual dogs within a breed exists. The variation may allow a dog-allergic...
In the past two years, I have written about peanut oral desensitization (i.e. OIT) during the month of July because of an annual meeting that takes in the early summer among those allergists who offer the treatment. I have attended all three such meetings, the most recent one occurring late last month. As we approach the FDA decisions...
Having an affectionate pet dog is one of life’s great pleasures. For me, watching Lassie on TV when I was a child was the canine gold standard. Seeing my middle daughter snuggle a Lassie dog at Universal Studios in LA when she was 10 years old was very special. The end of this month marks 24 years, since completing fellowship...
Spring 2019 (March through May) in the Chicago area will not be fondly remembered for its weather. I certainly never remember snow being on the ground on my late April birthday until this year. The cooler temperatures and the record rainfall in Chicago for the month of May (over 8 inches) have helped some with allergy symptoms from...
Spring is here……unless we believe that it will snow in May, since the latest measurable (0.1 to 1.0 inch) snowfall for the winter season in Chicago recorded history has occurred as late as May 11th. Pollen/mold counts during April have been low to moderate and have even included grass pollen being detected on some days, which is...