Environmental Allergies

Environmental allergies are common and can be triggered by allergens in the air, such as pollen, mold, dust mites, and pet dander. These allergens may cause symptoms like sneezing, itchy eyes, nasal congestion, and respiratory problems.

Our Expertise:

• Allergy Testing: Identifying specific environmental allergens through skin prick tests or blood tests.
• Immunotherapy: Allergy shots or sublingual tablets to help reduce sensitivity to environmental allergens over time.
• Biologics: Specialty biologic medications (e.g., Xolair, Dupixent) for asthma or other allergic conditions, which can be used for severe cases that do not respond to traditional treatments.

Asthma

Asthma is a chronic lung condition that causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways, leading to symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing. Environmental triggers such as allergens, air pollution, and respiratory infections can worsen asthma.

Our Expertise:

• Medications: Inhalers, bronchodilators, and corticosteroids to manage symptoms and inflammation.
• Biologics: Medications like Dupixent or Nucala for severe asthma cases that don't respond to inhalers.
• Immunotherapy: Allergy shots to address triggers like pollen, dust mites, or pet dander.

Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)

Eczema is a chronic skin condition characterized by itching, redness, and dryness. It often occurs in individuals with a family history of allergies or asthma. Eczema flare-ups can be triggered by allergens, irritants, or stress.

Our Expertise:

• Topical Medications: Steroid creams and non-steroidal treatments to manage inflammation and irritation.
• Biologics: Dupixent, a biologic medication, can be used to treat moderate-to-severe eczema by targeting the underlying immune response.

Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is a reaction that occurs when the skin comes into contact with an allergen or irritant. Common triggers include chemicals, poison ivy, cosmetics, and metals like nickel.

Our Expertise:

• Patch Testing: Identifying specific allergens that cause the skin reaction through patch testing.
• Topical Treatments: Steroid creams or ointments to alleviate inflammation and itching.

Food Allergy

Food allergies occur when the immune system mistakenly reacts to harmless proteins in certain foods. Common allergens include peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, eggs, and milk. Symptoms can range from mild to life-threatening anaphylaxis.

Our Expertise:

• Oral Food Challenges: Controlled testing to confirm or rule out food allergies under medical supervision.
• Emergency Medication: Epinephrine in its many forms (EpiPen, Auvi-Q, Symjepi, Neffy) for severe reactions.
• Immunotherapy: Oral immunotherapy is being explored for desensitization to specific food allergens. We currently offer Palforzia in our clinic.

Medication Allergy

Medication allergies occur when the body has an immune response to certain medications. Symptoms can range from mild rashes to severe anaphylaxis. Common medication allergies include penicillin and sulfa drugs.

Our Expertise:

• Skin Testing: Testing for specific medication allergies, such as IV contrast.
• Oral Challenges: Primarily for low-risk reactions to Pencillins, oral challenges are the gold standard in delabeling patients from penicillin allergy.

Chronic Urticaria and Angioedema (Chronic Hives and Swelling)

Chronic hives (urticaria) are skin welts or hives that last for more than six weeks. This condition can be triggered by various factors, including allergens, medications, stress, or an autoimmune response.

Our Expertise:

• Medication Management: Antihistamines, biologics like Xolair, and sometimes immunosuppressive therapies for more severe cases.

Stinging Insect Allergy

Stinging insect allergies are reactions to stings from bees, wasps, hornets, or fire ants. For some people, these stings can cause severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis.

Our Expertise:

• Allergy Testing: Skin testing to determine specific insect venom allergies.
• Immunotherapy: Venom immunotherapy (allergy shots) to reduce the risk of severe reactions in the future.

Immunodeficiencies

Immunodeficiencies are conditions where the immune system does not function properly, leaving individuals more susceptible to infections. There are primary immunodeficiencies (genetic) and secondary immunodeficiencies (acquired due to factors like chemotherapy or HIV).

Our Expertise:

• Immunoglobulin Therapy (IVIG/SCIG): Intravenous or subcutaneous immunoglobulin therapy to boost the immune system and prevent infections.
• Biologics: Targeted biologic therapies may be used to treat specific immunodeficiencies.
• Genetic Testing: Offering the most comprehensive, up to date genetic testing options available today.

Other Conditions

Our Expertise:

• Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyposis: A condition that involves chronic inflammation of the sinuses and nasal polyps, often linked with environmental alergens.
• Eosinophilic Esophagitis: An allergic condition of the esophagus that can cause difficutly swallowing and food impaction.
• Mast Cell Disorders: Expertise in Systemic Mastocytosis, MCAS, and other mast cell disorders.
• Hereditary Angioedema: A rare hereditary swelling condition that can be life-threatening if affecting the airway.
• Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome (FPIES): A rare, non-IgE mediated food allergy that affects infants and young children. It causes vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration after ingesting certain foods.