Chestnut Hill Allergy & Asthma Associates, LLC

11/18/2025

Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) is an allergic reaction to the carbohydrate galactose-α-1,3-galactose (“alpha-gal”), found in mammalian meat and products derived from mammals.

Tick bites—especially the lone star tick in the U.S.—are the primary trigger, causing the immune system to produce IgE antibodies to alpha-gal.

Reactions are often delayed, typically occurring 3–6 hours after eating red meat (beef, pork, lamb) or sometimes dairy or gelatin-containing products.

Symptoms range from hives, swelling, and gastrointestinal upset to anaphylaxis; management includes strict avoidance of mammalian products and carrying epinephrine if indicated.

11/10/2025

🚨Our data was selected to be presented at The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Annual Meeting this weekend in Orlando, FL!

📈 We are thrilled to share how OIT has changed the lives of our patients and their families!

👏 Special thanks to Dr. Lamya Jaigirdar, a Thomas Jefferson University resident, for doing an amazing job collecting and presenting this research!

10/24/2025

👻 Halloween is next week!!!

Don’t forget to make a plan to keep you and your loved ones safe this Halloween!

Halloween should be about costumes, laughter, and making memories—not fear over allergic reactions.

With planning, communication, and support from community projects like the Teal Pumpkin Project, families can ensure that all children enjoy the magic of the season safely.

🎃

10/22/2025

🚨 Have you seen the news?! 🚨

In 2015, the landmark LEAP Study provided evidence that early introduction to peanut in infants could decrease the incidence of peanut allergy in children! 🥜

In 2017, the NIAID and AAP implemented guidelines recommending early introduction of allergenic foods in infants. 🍽️

Yesterday, a study was published in Pediatrics showing a 43 percent drop in peanut allergies since the change in guidelines. 📉

10 years later, we see that the hard work of allergists, pediatricians, and parents has paid off, and the rate of peanut allergy is decreasing! 🙌

For more information on early introduction of allergenic foods, check out Dr. Mehta’s blog post.

https://philadelphia-allergy.com/2023/11/introducing-your-baby-to-foods/

10/17/2025

🎃 Halloween is almost here!

For many families, Halloween is filled with excitement, costumes, and treats.

But for parents of children with food allergies, the holiday can also bring stress and worry.

Between candy swaps at school, community events, and trick-or-treating, the risk of accidental exposure to allergens—like peanuts, milk, egg, or tree nuts—is high.

Fortunately, with preparation and awareness, Halloween can still be fun and safe.

👻

10/09/2025

🥜 HAPPY PEANUT OIT GRAD DAY! 🥜

Excited to hear about the new Halloween treats you get to try this year! 🎃

🥜 🥜

09/10/2025

For those of you wondering, this is ragweed!
It was blowing in the wind on my walk today.

Once you learn to identify it, you will begin to see it everywhere.

Ragweed grows anywhere there is disturbed earth: roadsides, fields, open lots, along streams, and along riverbeds.

It grows in rural, suburban, and urban areas.
Its the pollen that is responsible for millions of people's fall allergy symptoms.

An individual ragweed plant can release up to one billion pollen particles in a season!

Its pollen is small, light weight, and carried by the wind. Ragweed pollen can stay afloat for days.
The bottom line is that there is no escape from it...

If you are experiencing allergy symptoms this time of year there is a good chance ragweed is responsible.

08/25/2025

Limiting your exposure to ragweed pollen can make a big difference in your symptoms. Try these environmental control measures:

👉Keep windows closed during peak pollen hours (usually early morning).
👉Use HEPA filters in your home’s air conditioning or furnace system.
👉Shower and change clothes after spending time outdoors.
👉Check daily pollen counts on trusted weather or allergy tracking apps.
👉Limit outdoor activity on high-pollen or windy days.

For more info see our full blog post!

https://philadelphia-allergy.com/2025/08/ragweed-allergy-season-in-philadelphia-when-it-starts-what-to-expect-and-how-to-get-relief/

08/23/2025

As summer comes to an end, the fall pollen season is in full swing! 🌾🍃🍁🍂
Check out Dr. Segal’s latest blog post on tips for handling fall allergies 🤧

https://philadelphia-allergy.com/2025/08/ragweed-allergy-season-in-philadelphia-when-it-starts-what-to-expect-and-how-to-get-relief/

Are your allergy symptoms flaring up in late summer and early fall? If so, ragweed pollen may be the culprit. For people in Philadelphia and the surrounding region, ragweed allergy season can be one of the most challenging times of the year. Learn when it starts, how long it lasts, and the most effe...

08/02/2025

Happy Saturday ☀️
And congratulations to our newest peanut & sesame OIT grad! 🎓🥜🥯