Ask the Allergist

  • A person in a gray beanie exhales visible breath in the cold air. They wear a dark jacket, and snowflakes are falling around them. The background is a soft, blurred blue-gray, suggesting a wintery atmosphere.

    Ask the Allergist: Can You Really be Allergic To the Cold?

    Dr. Janna Tuck answers the Ask the Allergist question: I experience hives whenever I go outside in freezing weather or dip into cold water.…

  • Cute Asian child patient inhalation therapy by the mask of inhaler with soft stream smoke from bronchodilator.

    Ask the Allergist: How to Make Nebulizers Easier for Children

    Dr.Purvi Parikh answers the question: My 6-year-old son with asthma needs to use a nebulizer when he is sick. Any tips to make it…

  • A woman with long dark hair wearing a light blue shirt holds her chest with one hand, looking slightly discomforted. She stands against a plain white background.

    Ask the Allergist: How GERD Affects Asthma

    Dr. Kevin McGrath answers the Ask the Allergist question: How does gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) affect asthma and what is the treatment?

  • A person's arm is undergoing allergy testing, with several numbered spots marked on the skin. A dropper carefully places a red liquid on one spot while a stethoscope lies in the background.

    Ask the Allergist: Allergy Retesting

    Dr. Brian Martin answers the Ask the Allergist question: My allergist wants to retest me for allergies. How often do I need to be…

  • Portrait of young man having asthmatic attack at home

    Ask the Allergist: Vocal Cord Dysfunction

    Dr. Steven Tilles answers the Ask the Allergist question: what’s the difference between asthma and vocal cord dysfunction?

  • Doctor standing up facing a mom and her tween child. He is shaking the child's hand and they are all smiling.

    Allergy Immunotherapy Options

    Confronted with a lifetime of daily allergy medication needs, many people – particularly those with severe symptoms – seek therapy for long-term remission or…

  • A doctor wearing glasses and gloves administers a vaccine to a smiling young girl with red hair, who is wearing a striped shirt. The setting appears to be a medical office.

    Ask the Allergist: Asthma Medications and Childhood Vaccines

    Vaccinations remain the most effective tool we have to prevent infectious diseases. It’s important to stay vigilant with your child’s vaccinations.

  • A person pointing to their chin, which shows visible hives. They are wearing a white shirt, and part of a room with shelves is visible in the background.

    Ask the Allergist: A Look at Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria

    Hives that keep coming back for 6 weeks or more are called chronic hives or chronic urticaria – and they are rarely caused by…

  • young male college student standing in front of school

    Ask the Allergist: Clearing Up Allergic Rhinitis

    Treating the nose for allergic rhinitis (inflammation of the mucous membranes caused by an allergic reaction) is as important as treating the lungs.

All About

Ask the Allergist

Allergy & Asthma Network works closely with doctors who specialize in asthma and allergies. In our monthly Ask the Allergist interviews, we sit down with experts to answer frequently asked questions from patients. What’s the best inhaler technique for children? What is the connection between food allergies and eczema? What symptoms should parents watch for to recognize anaphylaxis in infants? Explore our Ask the Allergist section for answers and more.