We will conduct a thorough interview to examine your history of symptoms and conditions. After the interview the visit may include skin testing to evaluate for specific allergens that may be relevant to you. If you have breathing problems we may conduct a specialized lung function test called spirometry. We will then discuss these findings and outline with you a plan to address your condition and concerns.

Allergic individual have a genetic predilection to develop an allergic inflammatory   response on exposure to specific allergens in their environment or diet. This   includes production of allergic antibody (called immunoglobin E, or IgE). Subsequent exposure to the same allergen results in binding of the allergen with the IgE   antibody found on cells in the skin, eyes, nose, sinuses, lungs and gut. This triggers release of chemicals called mediators, such as histamine, from these cells within the body. These mediators then cause the allergic symptoms seen in allergic individual. With ongoing stimulation a chronic inflammation occurs.

• Asthma or asthmatic bronchitis –  wheezing and coughing, shortness of breath, tight chest
• Allergic rhinitis or hayfever sneezing, itching of eyes and nose, nasal congestion
• Urticaria (hives) and Angioedema (swelling)
• Eczema
• Intestinal allergy – diarrhea, vomiting, or cramps from foods
• Recurrent respiratory infections, such as recurrent ear infections and sinusitis
• Sinus headaches
• Recurrent pneumonia or bronchitis
• Insect sting reactions
• Drug allergies
• Food allergies
• Generalized allergic reactions (anaphylaxis)

If you have an allergic condition, it means that your immune system responds to certain substances or situations with an allergic inflammatory response rather than the normal response seen in the population without allergy. Allergic symptoms may result from exposure to pollens, animal danders, insect stings, foods, drugs, as well as other allergens. This response may result in conditions affecting your eyes, nose, sinuses, skin, and lungs.  An Allergist is uniquely trained to evaluate and treat both the underlying conditions and identify the triggers aggravating or causing them.

“Beta-blocking” agents, such as those used to control high blood pressure, can aggravate asthma, and potentiate allergic reactions. Please tell us all the medications you are taking so that we can be certain there are no  issues.

Most people with allergies have unusually sensitive airways. Factors that may cause only mild irritation in non-allergic people can cause a great deal of aggravation and discomfort in those with allergies, and can actually reproduce their allergic symptoms. Avoidance of these irritants is the best treatment, but good control of the underlying allergy may improve tolerance.

The allergic diseases, especially in children, tend to eventually become more easily controlled, or even seem to be “outgrown” or dormant. This may take years, however, so that allergy treatment may be necessary for prolonged periods. Asthma may occur in childhood, resolve, then recur as an older adult.

The allergic tendency is inherited but the mechanism is not as yet well-defined. The stronger the family history of allergy, the more likely it will be that other family members will be allergic.

Fans potentially make respiratory allergies worse. Anything which circulates air and allergy particles without filtering tends to make allergy sufferers have more trouble. This same principle applies to riding around in open cars in pollen season, walking in fields or wood on dry, windy days, etc.

Since the shots contain materials to which the patients is allergic, it is possible to produce allergic symptoms with the injections. Many patients experience short term itching or swelling at the injection site. Taking an antihistamine on the day of the injection can minimize this reaction. Rarely hives, trouble breathing, or a generalized allergic reaction may occur. A reaction is more common if the injection is given in a setting of active asthma symptoms. Always report any breathing difficulties before receiving allergy immunotherapy. A 30 minute observation period following an allergy injection is necessary so that in the unlikely event of a reaction it can be treated promptly.

This varies with the allergy being treated and the response of the patient. In general, patients require injections at regular intervals for three to five years. This will vary with the allergies being treated, and the response of the patient.

Since development of tolerance is a slow process, and since very low doses of the allergenic substances must be used at the start, the injections should be given at the prescribed intervals. If injections are given irregularly, control of symptoms may be reduced or delayed, and risk of allergic reactions to the injections is increased.

In general, allergy shots are given at intervals which can be as often as twice a week, to as little as once a month. Most schedules require injections once or twice a week at the start, until the desired maintenance dose is achieved, then extending to monthly for the duration of therapy.

Allergy injections contain small amounts of the substances (allergens) to which the particular patients is allergic. Allergy injections may be prescribed for stinging insects, pollens, mites, molds and animal danders. Food allergy cannot be treated with allergy immunotherapy.

No, but a tolerance is induced which can be long lasting, even after the injections are discontinued.

In this office, two methods are generally used. A majority of tests are done by “prick” method. Drops of the skin test material are applied in rows across the back as tiny pricks are made through each drop, pressing the allergen into the skin. Results are usually read in 10 to 20 minutes. Also, some “intradermal” tests are may done. These involve a small injection into the superficial layers of the skin of the arm. “Patch” tests are used to identify materials causing skin reactions on contact. Small amounts of these materials or gauze patches are taped on the skin and left for 48 to 72 hours before being read.

Skin testing is performed to detect the presence of allergic antibody to an allergen by introducing the allergen to the allergy cells in the area of the back or arm. If allergic antibody is present, a small wheal and flare (hive) will occur at the skin test site.

There are allergic inflammatory cells which are permanent residents in the   skin, and this leads to the chronic dry itchy red skin seen in eczema. Routine   treatment to minimize further inflammation is necessary to control the symptoms.

Swimming and bathing are useful to reduce the bacterial burden found in eczematous   skin. However this does tend to dry out the skin. Therefore bathing should be   followed immediately by lubrication. Creams or ointment are preferable to lotions.   Children’s faces may be irritated by wiping with a damp cloth after meals.   To avoid this, vaseline can be applied to the child’s face before meals.   The food can then be easily removed after meals without using soap and water.

Overheating and sweating can cause itching. Clothing should be selected which   will not cause overheating. For the same reason, nylon leotards and sneakers   or rubber packs should not be worn for long intervals. Wool is very irritating   and should not be worn next to the skin. Cotton or soft corduroy are good materials   to select.

Skin testing may reveal food and other sensitivities which contribute to the   inflammation underlying eczema. Topical steroid creams or ointments, and some   non steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (elidel, protopic) used on the skin help   control the eczema by decreasing inflammation and controlling infection.

There is no question that much effort and continuing care are required to help   the patient with eczema, but the results can be gratifying and long-lasting.

The venom of yellow jackets, hornets, honeybees, and wasps is a very potent allergen and can cause serious allergic reactions in sensitized individual. Individual who have had an allergic reaction to a sting should be evaluated by an allergist for consideration of allergy testing and immunotherapy. Immunotherapy for stinging insects is highly successful in preventing serious allergic reaction on subsequent stings.

Indoor warm blooded pets are frequent allergens. Efforts to reduce dander levels while the pet remains in the home are uniformly unsuccessful. Many products are marketed with claims they will help a patients allergies; but the only proven effective means to reduce allergen levels below those which trigger allergic inflammatory responses is to remove the animal from the home environment. Preventing the animal from entering the bedroom area, use of HEPA filters, removing carpeting, and “mite control” measures may be of some limited benefit.

Molds are fungi. They produce seeds, or spores, which are even smaller than pollen and are found in the air in large numbers at certain times of the year. For most individual outdoor molds are the primary source of mold problems.

Outdoors they are abundant in soil, grass, dead leaves, haystacks, barns, and stables. Indoors, they are prevalent in areas with moisture. They are responsible for the familiar musty smell noticeable in such places. Areas of visible mold or areas with flooding are the most problematic.

It is quite difficult to eliminate molds from the home environment. Special attention to ventilation and drainage may help decrease indoor molds.

Dust mites are a major part of household dust in most homes in our climate. They live on human dander and are therefore found largely in areas where dander accumulates. This includes bedding (mattresses, pillows, blankets, and carpets in bedrooms). It is very important therefore to cover mattresses, and pillows with dust proof, air tight encasings. These covers should be cleaned with a damp sponge with each bedding change. All bedding should be laundered in hot (rather than warm or cold) water to remove dust mites. Comforters or quilts that are not easily laundered are therefore not recommended.

Ordinary house dust represents one of the most troublesome materials to which allergic patients are exposed. House dust is made up of many tiny organic and inorganic particles. These organic particles may include house dust mites, animal and human danders, pollens, and molds. Therefore, house dust control is an important part of the overall treatment of many allergic people. Since a person spends more time breathing the air of his bedroom than of any other room in fact one-half of his time in childhood-the focus centers largely in the bedroom.

We encourage all our patients to initiate or continue care with a primary care physician (pediatric, family physician, internist). Your medical care, including that involving allergic problems, will best be coordinated in this fashion.

A summary of your allergy evaluation and our specific recommendations will be sent to your physician. You should therefore, contact your personal physician for any ongoing care (medications, prescriptions, etc.) and for treatment of any immediate problems.

Aspirin, prednisone, inhaled steroids, bronchodilators, and most other medications including allergy shots do not interfere with allergy test results, and can be continued.

• Unless otherwise stated, allergy patients on injection therapy should be re-evaluated every six to twelve months.

• Allergy solutions for injection therapy will be mailed directly to your physicians office.  Dosage schedules and instructions are included with the solutions.