Top news of August: FDA neffy approval, women’s asthma health, APA-AAI conference, more
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Healio has compiled August’s most-read news in asthma and allergy.
Top stories included the long-awaited FDA approval of neffy, the disproportionate way in which women are impacted by household cleaning products compared with men, coverage from the 16th Annual Allergy, Asthma & Immunology CME Conference and more.
FDA approves epinephrine nasal spray for anaphylaxis
The FDA has approved neffy epinephrine nasal spray for emergency treatment of Type 1 allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, in pediatric and adult individuals weighing at least 66 pounds. Sung Poblete, PhD, RN, CEO of Food Allergy Research and Education, commented on what this means for patients with allergies. Read more.
Women may face greater allergy, respiratory risks from household cleaning product use
Women traditionally spend significantly more time than men completing housework such as cooking and cleaning, putting them at risk for higher exposures to harmful agents that are known to cause respiratory and allergic issues. Healio explored this topic as part of our Women in Allergy series. Orianne Dumas, PhD, CR, HDR, and Mary Margaret Johnson, MD, PhD, spoke on the issue. Read more.
Penicillin allergy may increase likelihood for other antibiotics allergies
People with penicillin allergies are more likely to have other antibiotic allergies than those without the allergy, according to a study published in Epic Research. Kersten Bartelt, RN, research clinician with Epic Research, told Healio about the implications of the study results. Also, David A. Khan, MD, shares his Perspective. Read more.
Q&A: Physicians should ‘start small and local’ to advocate for themselves, patients
Our political system ensures that everyone throughout the country has representation, Melinda M. Rathkopf, MD, MBA, medical director of allergy/immunology at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and associate professor of pediatrics in the division of allergy and immunology at Emory University School of Medicine, told Healio. Leveraging that representation is essential when physicians need to advocate for their patients and themselves. Healio spoke with Rathkopf on the importance of physician advocacy and tips to get started, including by getting involved locally and building relationships with representatives. Read more.
Immune cell reduction still seen 10 months after COVID-19 infection
Patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 showed signs of reduced immune cells and a change in growth factor patterns in their blood 10 months after infection, according to a study published in Allergy. Even 10 months after infection, patients showed changes in T-cell subsets and other immune cell reductions. The immune cell changes point to long-term COVID-19 effects. Read more.
Asthma patients who smoke may benefit from COPD treatment
The lungs of patients with asthma who smoke begin to resemble those of patients with COPD, which may require changes in treatment, Brian Bizik, MS, PA-C, said at the 16th Annual Allergy, Asthma & Immunology CME Conference. Bizik, the immediate past president of the Association of PAs in Allergy, Asthma and Immunology and pulmonary care coordinator of Terry Reilly Health Centers in Boise, Idaho, spoke at the conference. Read more.
Do we need more pharma or more farms to treat food allergies?
Douglas H. Jones, MD, cofounder of Global Food Therapy as well as the cofounder and president of Food Allergy Support Team and director of Rocky Mountain Allergy at Tanner Clinic, breaks down what is true and what is myth for a variety of topics related to food allergies. In his latest column, Jones discusses how oral and sublingual immunotherapy can mitigate allergic reactions as well as the budding interest in how the gut microbiome can impact food allergy. Read more.
Advocates ‘very excited’ by FDA approval of epinephrine nasal spray
Advocates were pleased to learn about the FDA’s approval of ARS Pharmaceuticals’ neffy epinephrine nasal spray, which may have a significant impact on the safety and quality of life of families with allergy. Healio spoke with Lynda Mitchell, MA, CAE, CEO of Allergy & Asthma Network, and Thomas B. Casale, MD, professor of medicine and pediatrics and chief of clinical and translational research at the USF Health Morsania College of Medicine’s division of allergy and immunology, about the approval. Read more.
Strategies improve preparation for oral food challenges
Preparation is key to successful oral food challenges, Maria Crain, APRN, CPNP-PC, AE-C, pediatric nurse practitioner, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Food Allergy Center, said during her presentation at the 16th Annual Allergy, Asthma & Immunology CME Conference. She emphasized that a thorough patient history informs the risks and benefits of testing and that patients who are ill or actively taking medication should delay testing. Read more.
VIDEO: Need for prior authorization creates extra hurdles for physicians
In this video, Priya J. Bansal, MD, FAAAAI, FACAAI, discusses the challenge of prior authorization and its effect on physicians as part of Healio’s Women in Allergy video corner series. Watch here.