As the summer ends and school year starts up, it is time to review this month’s issue of Annals. The September issue focuses on the idea of preventing allergies. The CME review centers on preventing allergies through the skin as a mode of sensitization and the importance of maintaining an intact skin barrier. Another review focuses on the idea of allergy immunotherapy preventing asthma and the studies that show clinical effectiveness and the importance of the allergist bringing this information to our patients. These ideas and others are brought together in an interesting and thoughtful perspective on whether we can alter allergic disease.
As in every issue, this month’s Annals has a Marginal Zone cartoon to lighten up your day. Fitting the theme of this issue, the cartoon this month is the prevention of food allergies.
Related to food allergies, this month’s issue contains exciting research from our colleagues in Canada on oral immunotherapy for peanut and the occurrence of tree nut and sesame seed allergy. Other original research covers far-reaching topics, including two articles on asthma and how viral infections and atopic status affect asthma severity and comorbidities in pediatric and adult onset disease. A related review focuses on the interaction of obesity and asthma, two interrelated conditions. These articles hopefully will give you pearls of wisdom in treating your patients – not just for asthma, but for their related conditions to achieve better overall health.
This issue also contains two important original articles on dermatologic issues that affect allergists and their practices, including an article on predicting nonresponse to dupilumab in atopic dermatitis, and response of Steven-Johnson syndrome with etanercept, which is often a difficult disease to treat.
In our Letters section, we have several reports on asthma, including phenotyping, measuring tobacco exposure through urine, and assessment of peanut allergy with early introduction and emergency department evaluation. Also, a very useful letter for the practicing allergist focuses on testing for doxycycline allergy with determination of non-irritating doses for skin test.
And, as always, if you have any comments, please consider sending a correspondence to Annals (email us at annals@ACAAI.org). I am always excited to hear how Annals has helped you improve the lives of your patients!
Jonathan Spergel, MD, PhD
Deputy Editor
