Blog Archive

Dealing with one bout of sinusitis is tough enough, but enduring repeated episodes can really make you feel miserable.  Sinusitis is more than just a stuffy nose; the sinus pain and inflammation can trigger headaches, interfere with getting restorative sleep, and put a wrench in productivity. Many aspects of daily...

Although spring is a season of renewal, people living with allergies or asthma may find that the arrival of the season triggers symptoms that make it hard to enjoy the season.  Even though controlling these symptoms might seem difficult, you can take steps to reduce the impact allergies have on...

Eczema, a chronic skin condition that is characterized by red, itchy, and inflamed skin, can significantly impact your quality of life. While there’s no cure for eczema, managing and avoiding triggers can help alleviate symptoms. An allergy and immunology specialist is an invaluable part of a multidisciplinary care team for...

More than 25% of children and adults in the United States have at least one food allergy. When not properly managed, food allergies can cause health complications. An allergy specialist is an excellent place to start when you suspect your child may have a food allergy.  Board-certified allergy and immunology...

If you’re considering herbs, teas, essential oils, and other natural products to manage your allergies, it’s crucial to tread carefully. Natural doesn’t always mean safe, and when it comes to allergic disease, knowing the safety of these popular natural products overrides their potential benefits. If you have allergies, visiting an...

As the calendar transitions into fall and then winter, more than just the temperature changes. The cooler months also bring the potential for viral infections. With the right vaccines, you can arm yourself against the most common seasonal threats.  At Riviera Allergy Medical Center, we're committed to keeping you informed...

Asthma is a chronic condition that affects about 25 million people in the United States. Characterized by inflammation of the airways, it leads to symptoms like coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.  While asthma is manageable, there are instances where asthma can escalate into a serious health crisis. At Riviera Allergy Medical Center, we...

Eczema is a chronic skin condition that leaves your skin dry, red, and itchy. Eczema can cause a significant amount of distress and inconvenience.  In more severe cases, the itching can become almost unbearable, and scratching only makes it worse, leading to a cycle that's hard to break. Dr. Ulrike...

Life with a child suffering from allergies can feel like an uphill battle. You see your child struggle with the symptoms, whether they're seasonal or year-round, and it often feels like there's no end in sight.  At Riviera Allergy Medical Center, we want to assure you that there's help available. Dr. Ulrike...

Hay fever can make the summer months a challenging time if you live with allergies. Pollen levels reach their peak, and many people find themselves battling itchy eyes, sneezing, and congestion throughout the season.  At Riviera Allergy Medical Center, allergy specialist Dr. Ulrike Ziegner understands the importance of effectively managing hay fever symptoms to help...

Contact dermatitis is a skin condition that can cause redness, itching, and inflammation. It occurs when the skin comes into contact with a substance that triggers an allergic or irritant reaction, such as chemicals, soaps, or certain metals. While it can be uncomfortable and unsightly, contact dermatitis is a relatively...

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a common skin condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It’s characterized by dry, itchy, and inflamed skin that can be both uncomfortable and unsightly.  While the exact cause of eczema isn’t fully understood, evidence suggests that people with food allergies may be...

Roughly 50 million Americans are living with allergies, and 25 million have asthma. If you have food or respiratory allergies, you’re more likely to develop asthma; if you have asthma, the chances of developing them is higher. Fortunately, with the right health team on your side, you can manage allergies and/or asthma, and minimize...

Chronic sinusitis, unlike the common cold, isn’t the result of a viral or bacterial infection. It develops when something causes inflammation of the sinuses that persists for four weeks or longer. In some cases, your symptoms may go away, only to come back again.  Chronically inflamed sinuses are commonly linked...

All hope isn’t lost if you have a pet or want to adopt one, but you’ve recently discovered that your child has a pet allergy. There are some steps you can take and treatment options you can try that may reduce your child’s symptoms.  It’s smart to consult with an...

If you have seasonal allergies that peak in the spring and summer months, you may feel confused when symptoms like itchy eyes and sneezing strike during the winter. Shouldn’t seasonal allergy sufferers expect relief instead? Southern California remains relatively warm year-round, and this means hay fever symptoms might not subside...

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all skincare routine when managing eczema. Instead, it’s best to visit an eczema specialist for an individualized skin care plan. The right routine can help support your sensitive skin and manage your eczema. In contrast, an unsuitable skin care plan can make matters worse. Eczema causes dry,...

When symptoms such as coughing, sore throat, and sneezing strike, it’s normal to wonder — is it allergies or COVID-19? This question becomes a little more complicated for the millions of allergy sufferers across the country.  Symptoms of COVID-19 are evolving. It’s important to know if your symptoms are related...

Asthma is a serious lung disease, and anyone living with it should never underestimate the seriousness of an asthma attack. Even individuals with mild asthma are susceptible to severe attacks, and in rare instances, asthma can be fatal. Fortunately, well-controlled asthma reduces the dangers and complications. An allergy and asthma...

Home is intended to be a haven, but for children who are allergic to dust, it can be a source of discomfort.  Children with dust allergies often have the most issues indoors at home or in someone else’s home. Dust allergy symptoms tend to worsen during or after vacuuming or sweeping. That’s...

If you're one of the millions of Americans who suffer from hay fever (allergic rhinitis), the change of seasons may exacerbate your symptoms.  Itchy, watery eyes, a scratchy throat, and a stuffy, runny nose can make you dread the arrival of spring. Tree pollen, grass, mold, and ragweed are all possible triggers....

Asthma affects roughly 1 in 13 people in the United States, and flare-ups of wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness can feel frightening.  Working closely with a health care provider is the best way to get your asthma under control. Knowing your triggers is part of keeping asthma symptoms...

If you have nasal congestion that doesn’t seem to go away, or it appears to resolve, only to return later, you may have sinusitis. Different from a sinus infection, sinusitis is characterized by inflammation in one or more of your four sinuses. It’s considered chronic when it lingers for several...

Also known as allergen immunotherapy, allergy shots treat certain types of allergies. For example, these shots may help children who are allergic to things like dust mites, pet dander, and pollen.  Allergy shots don’t treat food allergies; strict avoidance of the offending food is the only treatment. For children with...

Sinus inflammation that lasts for 8 weeks or longer is considered chronic. Normally the sinuses drain freely through hollow spaces inside the nose.  In cases of chronic sinusitis, however, inflammation prevents the sinuses from draining normally, so mucus builds up and infection can set in. Symptoms can make daily life...

Hay fever can look a lot like the common cold. When symptoms such as a runny nose and sneezing strike, you may naturally assume that you have a cold.  Also known as allergic rhinitis, hay fever is a respiratory allergy that occurs when you inhale allergens floating in the air....

Each year millions of people are diagnosed with asthma, and while it often first presents in childhood, asthma can develop at any point during a person's lifetime. When asthma develops in adulthood, signs and symptoms are easily missed. At Riviera Allergy Medical Center, allergy and immunology specialist Ulrike Ziegner, MD,...

Eczema can look and feel very similar to other skin conditions. If you have a scaly, itchy rash that cracks, oozes or blisters, it's important to see a health care provider for a thorough evaluation.  Because several skin conditions can share similar symptoms, you need a trained professional to check...

Allergic rhinitis, commonly known as hay fever, causes a range of uncomfortable symptoms related to an immune response to allergens that are present in the air.  When these particles enter your nose during your regular breathing, the immune system reacts and sets off a chain of events that you experience...

It may surprise you to know that whether you’re 6 or 66, you can develop allergies. That’s because allergies can strike at any age. This means you’re not out of the woods if you reach adulthood and haven’t developed any allergies.  Here at Riviera Allergy Medical Center, allergy and immunology...

During this unprecedented time of the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, allergy patients have many questions about the vaccine that protects against the coronavirus. For people who have allergies, you may wonder whether it’s safe for you to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Allergy and immunology specialist Ulrike Ziegner, MD, at Riviera Allergy...

Your stuffy nose that just doesn’t seem to go away may be a sign of an underlying issue like allergies. Untreated allergies can cause chronic sinusitis with and without nasal polyps. Fortunately, chronic nasal congestion is very treatable. The first step is to visit a health care provider. Allergy and...

Taking special care of your skin when you have eczema is important all year long, but especially during hot summer months. People with eczema have skin that is sensitive to heat, cold, humidity, wind, and moisture.  This means you’re more likely to experience flares during certain weather. Developing an effective...

If you experience shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, or chest tightness during physical activity, you may have exercise-induced asthma. Many people with exercise-induced asthma are completely unaware of it.  You might mistake the symptoms for poor exercise performance and assume that you’re simply out of shape. If you struggle to...

Allergies affect millions of children nationwide, and while you can have your child tested for allergies at any age, it’s best to test when you notice signs that your child may indeed have an allergy. At Riviera Allergy Medical Center, allergy and immunology specialist Ulrike Ziegner, MD, PhD, a double...

It’s understandable that people with respiratory allergies and asthma have many questions about the evolving COVID-19 pandemic.  Particularly, they want to know if they’re at an increased risk of severe symptoms from COVID-19 and how to tell the difference between their allergy and asthma symptoms and symptoms of COVID-19.  Because...

Hay fever, the common term for seasonal allergies (allergic rhinitis), can make certain times of the year miserable. While so many people look forward to the flowers blooming in spring, millions of others who have seasonal allergies dread the runny nose, sneezing, congestion, and itchy eyes that come along with...

It’s crucial to visit a health care provider if you suspect that you or your child have asthma. This chronic lung condition affects more than 25 million people in the United States.  Classic asthma symptoms include wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. Shortness of breath can have various causes involving...

Managing your child’s allergies is an important part of keeping your children healthy and enabling them to thrive. Allergies can have a major impact on many aspects of your children’s life, from academic performance and sleep quality to mood and behavior.  Your children’s allergist helps you determine what is causing...

Having a food allergy requires a lifestyle change and dedication to avoiding the offending food and its derivatives. Food allergies are very common, and many types of foods can bring on allergic reactions. However, just eight foods are responsible for 90% of food allergies. Allergy and immunology specialist Dr. Ulrike...

Eczema can be a challenge at any time of the year, but it’s especially problematic during summer months when temperatures rise. Just as colder times of the year often present a challenge, you can take steps to avoid and manage summer eczema flare-ups. Warmer months bring the beauty of flowers...

Asthma is often thought of as a lung disorder that starts in childhood. However, you can get asthma that starts in adulthood. Late-onset asthma is often missed or mistaken for other lung disorders, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It’s important to know the signs and symptoms of adult-onset...

Contact dermatitis is one of the most common skin conditions, affecting people of all backgrounds. It develops when an allergen or irritant comes in contact with your skin and causes an inflammatory reaction.  Recognizing the symptoms is a good way to narrow down possible causes of your symptoms if you...

Skin reactions to sunscreen can be the result of an allergy or sensitivity to one or more ingredients. Some reactions can occur immediately after applying sunscreen. At other times, you may notice skin irritation hours after using sunscreen.  If you have contact dermatitis, and a particular sunscreen triggers a reaction,...

Epinephrine auto-injectors deliver a life-saving medication that treats symptoms of severe allergic reactions. The epinephrine contained in the auto-injector stops the airway from swelling and blocks the progression of the body’s allergic response. Dr. Ulrike Ziegner at Riviera Allergy Medical Center in Redondo Beach, California, wants to make sure you...

Dermatitis, which is a general term that describes skin irritation, can be caused by a variety of things, including touching soap. The condition can evolve over time, and the symptoms can range from mild to debilitating. People with dermatitis commonly experience itching, irritation, and cracking. On the severe end of...

Allergies affect millions of children in the United States, and allergic rhinitis is the most common type. Available treatments such as antihistamines suppress substances involved in immune reactions to help minimize symptoms.  Immunotherapy, on the other hand, is the only allergy treatment that changes the immune system to provide long-term...

COVID-19 is an evolving pandemic, and while everyone is at risk of getting it, those with respiratory conditions, such as asthma, are understandably fearful of the potential impact of the virus. The best thing a person with asthma can do is to manage their condition so that their asthma stays...

Chronic sinusitis affects nearly 29 million Americans. When you’re struggling with lasting or recurring sinus problems, each day of a flare-up can feel miserable. The nasal congestion, sinus pain, headaches, and sinus pressure can keep you up at night, interfere with your favorite activities, and reduce your work productivity. If...

Hay fever, which is a term used to describe a collection of symptoms, occurs when the immune system overreacts to normally harmless airborne substances.  Many Americans suffer from hay fever symptoms, and allergy specialists can use a number of tests to determine what’s causing the symptoms. In this blog, allergy...

Eczema is a skin condition that causes intensely itchy, inflamed, red patches of skin, often on your hands, elbows, and knees. The skin tends to thicken and appear scaly, and it may blister and ooze.  Patients with eczema often experience anxiety related to eczema and may feel embarrassed by the...

Do you have trouble smelling or tasting food? If so, you could have sinusitis. This inflammatory condition of the sinuses can be acute or chronic, and it can be caused by a number of factors, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, a low functioning immune system or allergies. Here at Riviera Allergy...

Finding the right hypoallergenic makeup for sensitive skin can be a challenge. When you have sensitive skin, trying new makeup means risking triggering a flare-up. This can happen even when the makeup you choose is labeled hypoallergenic.  We’ve put together some tips to steer you in the right direction, reduce...

An estimated 5.6 million children and adolescents under age 18 have food allergies. Children with food allergies are commonly allergic to more than one food. In fact, roughly 40% of children who have food allergies are allergic to more than one food.  What’s more, food allergies are on the rise,...

Do you have a dry, itchy, red rash that doesn’t seem to go away? You may have eczema or psoriasis. Both conditions have similar symptoms and both can run in families, which can make it difficult to distinguish one from the other. These similar skin conditions are often managed with...

Patients with hay fever commonly prepare in advance for spring and summer symptoms such as sneezing, an itchy nose, and itchy eyes as allergy season starts. However, some people get these symptoms in the winter or all year long, and they’re easily mistaken for the common cold or the flu....

Cold weather can be tough on people with asthma, even here in California where temperatures can drop to the 40s. If it feels like your asthma symptoms get worse during the winter months, you likely aren’t imagining it. Research shows hospital admissions due to asthma increase during the winter months. ...

The epidermis is a tough outer layer of skin that constantly sheds and renews itself. This outermost layer of skin provides a barrier against infection and environmental pathogens. It also regulates the amount of water released through the skin. In patients with eczema, the epidermis doesn’t work as well as...

Food nourishes the body. It provides you with the nutrients you need to function properly. Unfortunately, the body can react to healthy foods as though they were harmful. If this happens to you, you may have a food allergy. It’s estimated that roughly 32 million Americans have a food allergy....

Why do people have sinuses? Even among the experts, the jury's out, although there are some theories out there. Some say these hollow cavities in your face help to humidify the air you inhale, while others claim they help enhance your voice. You might feel like they exist only to...

Shea butter is a common moisturizer that is often used by itself and is also found in cosmetic and personal care products. Native to Africa, shea butter — which is a fat that is extracted from the nut of the shea tree — can, depending on the form, be used...

Contact dermatitis develops when your skin touches something that causes a rash. If you’ve ever used a new detergent or skincare product and noticed some skin irritation, you may have experienced contact dermatitis.  Contact dermatitis, while common, is often bothersome and sends many Americans to seek out the help of...

If you’re newly diagnosed with an allergy, it can feel overwhelming. Staying well involves avoiding the substances you’re allergic to.  Metal allergies arise when the body is extra sensitive to certain metals, most commonly nickel and copper. Metal allergies are easier to manage once you know what to avoid. Metals,...

Breathing difficulties as a result of asthma can come out of nowhere and are not only alarming but downright frightening. There are few things that provoke a sense of desperation more than feeling like you can’t get enough oxygen. With asthma, your airways become swollen and filled with mucus, making...

Most people find out they have any allergy when they’re children. However, that’s no reason to assume you’re out of the woods if you’ve made it to adulthood without developing allergy symptoms. Adults aren’t immune to first-time allergies.  The immune system you’re born with can change, and while we don’t...

Despite its name, hay fever doesn’t cause a fever, and exposure to hay doesn’t cause symptoms. Medically known as allergic rhinitis, hay fever received its name in the 19th century when symptoms were mistakenly attributed to the smell of hay.  Because symptoms can overlap with those of the common cold,...

A stuffy, runny nose and head congestion are no fun. More than 100 viruses cause colds, which spread when people who are infected cough or sneeze virus-containing droplets into the air, or leave the virus behind on surfaces they touch. But how do you know if you’re battling a common...

The intensely itchy, red, inflamed skin that eczema is known for can make you dread otherwise fun activities, such as going to the beach or frolicking outside during the summer. People with eczema have delicate skin that can become inflamed when exposed to temperatures that are too warm or too...

When you’re diagnosed with atopic or contact dermatitis, it means your skin becomes inflamed in response to a trigger. Your skin may become red, and you may experience blisters that ooze. While symptoms vary from person to person, dermatitis almost always causes intense itching. If you’ve been diagnosed with or...

Over 25 million people in the United States have asthma, and about 6 million of those are children. Lung disease is characterized by an overreaction to stimuli that cause lung inflammation. For some people, allergens are the stimuli, but other people don’t have a known cause. While many people with...

Many people are unable to tell the difference between allergies and conditions like chronic sinusitis. Allergy symptoms, such as runny nose, itchy throat, and tearing eyes, are also seen in other conditions, such as the common cold.    There are some key differences, though, that can help you know if...

Allergies and colds are, of course, caused by completely different sources. Symptoms from allergies are caused by allergens, which set off reactions in your immune system. Symptoms from a cold are caused by a virus. However, symptoms from both conditions can often resemble each other. Despite the common symptoms, treatment...

Hallmarks of atopic dermatitis, or eczema, are itchy, red, inflamed skin that often appears rough and scaly and can swell, ooze and crust. We aren’t sure why some children and adults get eczema and others don’t, but an estimated 35 million Americans suffer from this skin condition. It affects significantly...

Many people experience sinus inflammation at one time or another. It usually goes away on its own and doesn’t cause lasting problems. However, roughly 10% of the population suffers from chronic sinusitis, or ongoing sinus inflammation. Various issues, from bacteria to an abnormal immune response, can cause chronic sinusitis. The...

More than 30 million Americans have eczema, and nearly half of them report feeling frustrated with the condition. Eczema is a group of conditions that can cause your skin to become itchy, red, inflamed, dry and scaly. Living with eczema can be an ongoing struggle. Allergist and immunologist, Dr. Ulrike...

Millions of Americans are living with the constant headaches, facial pressure and swelling or constant nasal congestion and discharge. Unlike acute sinusitis, which is often caused by an infection, bacteria and viruses are rarely involved in cases of chronic sinusitis. If you’re struggling with chronic sinusitis, you should visit Dr....

Most food allergies develop in childhood, but adult-onset food allergies are becoming increasingly common as well, among the estimated 15 million Americans dealing with the condition. Food allergies occur when your immune system reacts to a food protein.  Currently there’s no FDA approved cure, and the best way to prevent...

If you’re one of the millions of Americans who suffer from allergies, you’re well aware of how the symptoms can impact day-to-day life. Some people have symptoms so severe that it significantly reduces their quality of life. Avoiding your triggers is always the first step, but it isn’t always possible,...

It’s estimated that more than 30 million Americans experience symptoms of dermatitis. This inflammatory skin condition, commonly referred to as eczema, is characterized by a red, itchy, scaly rash. It’s a long-lasting condition that tends to flare up periodically. Many Americans living with symptoms of eczema go undiagnosed, suggesting that...

There seem to be as many allergies as there are substances in the universe, yet many people are astonished to find that others can be allergic to metals. If you’ve got this sensitivity, you’ll know that touching things like jewelry, coins, or other objects made of metal can cause a...

When you love your four-legged companions, but their presence sets off allergy symptoms, it’s only natural that you should wonder about hypoallergenic breeds to let you breathe easier with canine companionship. Unfortunately, there’s no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic dog. It’s not a matter of short hair or long...

You’ve got an itchy spot on your skin, and it’s more than simply a dry patch. You haven’t been around irritants, so contact dermatitis isn’t likely. Chances are good it will come down to either eczema or psoriasis, but how do you know which is which? If the itchy spot...

Dry skin can be itchy and unsightly. In most cases, dry skin is its own condition, brought on by exposure to various environmental factors. However, there are times when dry skin is a symptom, brought on by an underlying medical condition that itself needs to be treated before your skin...

The Air Quality Index in Redondo Beach, California, is slightly lower than the average air quality across the United States, and wildfire smoke can make it even worse. Dr. Ulrike Ziegner, an expert allergist and immunologist, and founder of Riviera Allergy Medical Center, realizes that people living in Redondo Beach...

The red, scaly, itchy skin associated with eczema can ruin anyone’s day. It may be especially frustrating when you’re moisturizing your skin every chance you get, and still your skin dries, cracks, and demands a good scratch. And you know that scratching the itch only makes things worse.   To...

Asthma flare-ups in children peak in the fall, shortly after most kids go back to school. And these aren’t always just minor flare-ups: More children are hospitalized for asthma in September than at any other time.Here at Riviera Allergy in Redondo Beach, California, we see the problem every fall. We’ve...

Fall pollen allergies are primarily caused by ragweed, and although these pesky plants only live for one season, they’re incredibly potent pollen producers. One ragweed plant can send up to one billion pollen grains into the air, and its pollen can float for miles, making many people miserable with allergy...

If you count yourself among the 37 million Americans who suffer from sinus problems, your air conditioner may be a wolf in sheep’s clothing. On the one hand, air conditioning can be a real lifesaver when it comes to breathing air that isn’t filled with pollutants or outdoor allergens, but...

For a child with noticeable or severe allergies, school presents additional challenges. Other kids may offer your child a snack they’re allergic to, pollen may be abundant in the schoolyard, and there’s always the off-chance of an insect sting. So how do you protect your child while still providing them...

If you or a loved one lives with the threat of a severe allergy that could cause anaphylaxis, an epinephrine auto-injector, such as the EpiPen, is a life-saving tool that gives you a measure of reassurance, protection against a potentially deadly allergic reaction. In such a case, you may have...

Allergic reactions to insects are on the rise, which concerns Dr. Ziegner here at Riviera Allergy Medical Center, because insects are one of the top three allergies most likely to cause a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction. We put together this information so you’ll know the signs of an allergic reaction...