Allergy Services

If your history indicates possible allergic problems, we would suggest allergy skin and/or blood testing. Allergy skin testing can be initiated on your first visit to our office. If your history indicates possible allergic problems, we would suggest allergy skin and/or blood testing. Allergy skin testing can be initiated on your first visit to our office.

The skin tests most frequently used are prick and/or intradermal (needle). Prick tests involve a tiny puncture through a drop of allergy extract. The area is then observed for about 15-20 minutes. Positive reactions are usually manifest by an area of redness and itching at the prick test site. Intradermal tests involve the injection of a tiny amount of extract into the skin through a small needle. These tests are usually more sensitive than prick tests and a positive test resembles that described for a positive prick test. Local reactions to allergy skin testing such as redness, swelling, and itching are common. A general/systemic reaction due to allergy testing, although extremely rare, can occur and is described in the section on allergy injection therapy.

Our board certified allergists, physician assistant and registered nurses are specially trained in the treatment of allergic conditions. As a first step towards diagnosing allergies, an extensive history and physical would be performed in our office by one of our board certified allergists or physician assistant. If your history indicates possible contact dermatitis patch testing may be recommended.

What Is Patch Testing?

Allergic contact dermatitis is an inflammatory skin reaction or allergy that occurs when your skin comes into contact with these common substances. Patch testing is a skin test designed to help determine if you are allergic to multiple substances on the patch panel. The substances tested are common ingredients often found in cosmetics, perfumes/colognes, jewelry, topical creams, rubber products etc. The “patches” are placed on the back by our staff and remain for 48-72 hours. A reaction of local rash with swelling, redness, and tiny blisters is often indicative of an allergy.

Our board certified allergists, physician assistant and registered nurses are specially trained in the treatment of allergic conditions. As a first step towards diagnosing allergies, an extensive history and physical would be performed in our office by one of our board certified allergists or physician assistant. If your history indicates possible allergic problems, we would suggest allergy skin and/or blood testing. Allergy skin testing can be initiated on your first visit to our office. Based on the history and skin test results we may recommend in office medication challenge or possibly desensitization. Desensitization may be indicated in specific situations where there is a definite allergy but the drug must be used in spite of that.

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Stinging insects can cause local or systemic reactions which can lead to life threatening anaphylaxis. Our board certified allergists will choose the appropriate method to evaluate your reaction and may include blood testing and/or skin testing. Bee sting allergy can be treated with allergy shot therapy. Bee sting immunotherapy has been reported to be 97-98% effective. Decreasing the risk of life threatening insect sting reactions.

Our board certified allergists will take a thorough history and exam. We will decide the appropriate way to assess your food allergy with skin and/or blood testing. We will come up with an appropriate treatment plan for your specific food allergy. In certain circumstances an oral food challenge under medical supervision may be recommended. Lastly, we stay up to date on the newest food allergy treatments under investigation.

Our board certified allergists, physician assistant and registered nurses are specially trained in the treatment of allergic conditions. As a first step towards diagnosing allergies, an extensive history and physical would be performed in our office by one of our board certified allergists or physician assistant. If your history indicates possible allergic problems, we would suggest allergy skin and/or blood testing. Allergy skin testing can be initiated on your first visit to our office.

What Is Rhinoscopy?

Rhinoscopy is a procedure where we use a small fiber optic camera to visualize your nasal and sinus passages. It is a simple technique that requires topical anesthetic in the form of a nasal spray. This procedure helps the doctors identify nasal problems, sinus polyps, and disturbances of the vocal cords.

The purpose of allergy injection therapy is to decrease sensitivity to substances that cause allergy symptoms.

A treatment set of extract/antigen vials are prepared for the patient based upon their individual test results. When a patient is allergic to many different substances, it is necessary to divide the materials into two different sets of vials. Injections are started using the weakest dilution and the progresses to more concentrated doses until a maintenance dose is reached. After a maintenance dose is reached, the interval between injections is progressively spaced and then continued for years. Allergy injections are recommended for an average of three years, therefore, requiring an ongoing commitment.

It should be emphasized that immunotherapy does not cure allergies and that immediate improvement is not to be expected. It takes approximately six months for the average patient to begin demonstrating the positive effects of the injections. Please realize that we are aiming for long term improvement. Although some patients do not respond adequately to immunotherapy, most experience a significant decrease in symptoms.

Reactions to Immunotherapy

A local reaction at the injection site is common and usually occurs soon after the injection as an area of redness or swelling. These local skin reactions will generally resolve over several hours or, in rare instances, a few days. If an unusually large local reaction occurs, or lasts many hours, or is accompanied by sneezing or coughing, it may indicate a change in dosage should be made. Any local reaction symptoms MUST be reported to the nurse prior to receiving your next allergy injection.

General/systemic reactions can occur but are extremely rare. In addition to sneezing or coughing, a general reaction may include, widespread itching, hives, nasal discharge, wheezing, difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, and rarely shock. These symptoms, while potentially serious and in rare instances, life threatening, generally respond well to treatment.

You will be required to remain in the waiting room for at least twenty (20) minutes following your injection in order to record and/or treat any reaction which may occur. IF YOU HAVE SEVERE SYMPTOMS AFTER LEAVING THE OFFICE, GO IMMEDIATELY TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM.

Allergy injections should generally not be given when significant wheezing or fever are present. YOU MUST INFORM THE NURSE IF YOU ARE TAKING BLOOD PRESSURE OR MIGRAINE MEDICATION OF THE BETA-BLOCKER TYPE as this may put you at higher risk for adverse reaction to allergy injections.

Our board certified allergists, physician assistant and registered nurses are specially trained in the treatment of allergic conditions. As a first step towards diagnosing allergies, an extensive history and physical would be performed in our office by one of our board certified allergists or physician assistant. If your history indicates possible allergic problems, we would suggest allergy skin and/or blood testing. Allergy skin testing can be initiated on your first visit to our office. At times rapid allergy shot build up procols known as Rush or Cluster Immunotherapy may be offered. This is a quicker approach to build up on shots.

One of the most important tools your doctor may use to differentiate between asthma and COPD is the pulmonary function test (PFT). In both asthma and COPD, the PFT may show improvement in obstruction after treatment with a bronchodilator, such as albuterol. In patients with both asthma and COPD, obstruction improves with a bronchodilator, but not to the same degree as with asthma alone. PFT may be performed after various stimuli such as runnng, methacholine or bronchodilator to best assess asthma or COPD.