Immunizations

Allergy And Immunology

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Environmental allergies. We use positive results from this gold standard method of testing as guide management. Avoidance is always the first step in any kind of allergen sensitivity. For example, reducing exposure to household dust, dander, and mold are effective ways to reduce allergy symptoms. Where avoidance is not enough, we develop a medication plan to treat symptoms. Finally, based on your input, we may use the results of environmental allergy testing to make highly specific allergen immunotherapy (allergy shot) mixes for each patient. Food allergies. We use the results of food allergy tests together with a detailed history to develop a plan for the avoidance of specific foods, and rapidly treat reactions from accidental exposures. However, unlike environmental allergies, the results of food allergy tests are not used for allergen immunotherapy because of their high risk and low efficacy.

Medications and biologics. For treatment of allergies of your nose and eyes, effective medications include intranasal steroids, intranasal antihistamines, eye drops, antihistamines like cetirizine and fexofenadine. For difficult-to-treat chronic rhinitis with polyps, we prescribe monoclonal antibody biologic if needed, For treating hives, we prescribe cocktails of antihistamines and other medications such as a monoclonal antibody biologic if needed. For asthma, we prescribe all combinations of inhalers and other medications, and if this is not enough to control your symptoms, we can prescribe monoclonal antibody biologic.

Subcutaneous Immunotherapy (SCIT). Based on your skin test result and your history, we make individualized patient serums that can only be used for you. This serum modifies your immune response to these allergens in a highly specific manner. To ascertain patient safety, this treatment is administered and monitored by our highly trained staff. Over time, SCIT is very effective in altering a person's allergic response to these allergens, both improving allergy symptoms and decreasing the need for medications. The usual duration of treatment is four years, and the effect of this treatment can last long after it has been stopped. 

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