Top 10 asthma, allergy stories of 2024
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Key takeaways:
- Approval of neffy epinephrine nasal spray was the top story of 2024.
- Healio’s Women in Allergy series highlighted important practice management issues.
This year brought breakthroughs and important advances in asthma and allergy. Healio’s most popular stories in 2024 covered the long-anticipated approval of neffy epinephrine nasal spray and an update to anaphylaxis practice parameters.
The most-read stories also included practice management advice and the impacts of cooking and cleaning on health. A story about a controversial Uber Eats commercial also made its rounds, along with a call to update airplane anaphylaxis protocols.
FDA approves epinephrine nasal spray for anaphylaxis
The FDA approved neffy (ARS Pharmaceuticals) epinephrine nasal spray for emergency treatment of Type 1 allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, in pediatric and adult individuals weighing at least 66 pounds. Read more.
As difficult patient interactions continue to rise, here is how to handle them
As part of Healio’s Women in Allergy series, Emily L. Weis, MD, MS, assistant professor of clinical medicine and pediatrics and the allergy and immunology clinical director and regional director at University of Rochester Medical Center, discussed how to handle difficult patient interactions. She noticed these situations have been occurring more frequently since the pandemic and offered strategies and solutions to achieve better communication. Read more.
Q&A: Joint task force updates anaphylaxis practice parameter
A joint task force published an updated, evidence-based practice parameter for diagnosing and treating anaphylaxis in Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Healio spoke with lead author and allergist David B.K. Golden, MDCM, about the new practice parameter. Read more.
Cooking, stove use among potential household health hazards for women
In this second installment of a two-part series on household hazards, Healio’s Women in Allergy explored potential risks women may face associated with cooking exposures. Experts recommend not using a gas stove or one that requires combustibles to cook. Mary Margaret Johnson, MD, PhD, principal research scientist at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, weighed in on the issue. Read more.
Cell phone screen protector triggers allergic contact dermatitis
A woman who used an acrylate screen protector on her cell phone developed a rash on her face and fingers, according to a poster presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Annual Scientific Meeting. Authors urged health care professionals to consider acrylates as possible allergens when diagnosing unexplained contact dermatitis. Mohammad A. Younus, MD, allergist and immunologist at Hackensack University Medical Center, discussed the case. Read more.
‘You can always pivot’: Physician advises you are never stuck as you navigate your career
After spending 17 years working as an allergist in Alaska, Melinda M. Rathkopf, MD, MBA, made a big career change in 2023. She discussed her journey through this event and how others can successfully navigate their career paths as part of Healio’s Women in Allergy series. Read more.
Q&A: FDA-approved omalizumab ‘not a cure’ for food allergy
The FDA approved omalizumab for use in building tolerance to accidental ingestion of allergens among patients with IgE-mediated food allergy. However, this treatment comes with caveats. Healio spoke with Zachary E. Rubin, MD, pediatric allergist and spokesperson for the ACAAI, about the issue. Read more.
Household disinfectants, cleaning products associated with uncontrolled asthma
Uncontrolled asthma was associated with weekly use of household disinfectants and cleaning products in a study published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice. Also, Sonali P. Majmudar, MD, shared her Perspective. Read more.
FAA Reauthorization Act may upgrade airplane medical kits for anaphylaxis
The Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2024 includes a call for updated rules on airplane medical kits and staff training regarding anaphylaxis-related emergencies. The bill includes a clause that the FAA must reconsider medications and protocol for treatment of anaphylaxis on board airplanes. Jason Linde, MA, senior vice president of Food Allergy Research & Education, explained how this could impact travel for patients with allergies. Read more.
Uber Eats forgets – and then remembers – that food allergies are no joke
After previewing a Super Bowl commercial that depicted an adult having an allergic reaction to the ingestion of peanut butter, Uber received some backlash. Zahida “Rani” Maskatia, MD, a food allergy specialist and the medical director at Latitude Food Allergy Care, explained how this event serves as a reminder of the seriousness of food allergies. Read more.