Allergies

ALLERGY TESTING

Skin testing is the preferred method used by allergists for seasonal allergies. Allergy “triggers” we test for include:

• Contact Dermatitis (skin allergies due to makeup  up or cosmetics) 
• Dust
• Food 
• Insect Sting (Venoms from Fire Ants, Wasps, Hornets, Yellow Jacket, Bees)
• Latex
• Local anesthetics (lidocaine  or other numbing agents used for dental, dermatologic or plastic surgery procedures)
• Penicillin
• Pet Dander
• Pollen

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology has a nice overview of allergy tests which can be viewed here

Contact us or schedule an appointment and let an allergist help you live easier.

ALLERGY SHOTS

If you have trouble managing your allergy symptoms with medicine alone, allergy immunotherapy (allergy shots) can provide long-term relief. Allergy immunotherapy increases your tolerance to the allergens to which you are sensitive. 85 percent of patients with year-round allergies report improvement of their symptoms and less medication use while on allergy shots.

Allergy shots are also effective if you are allergic to insect stings. When allergy shots are targeting insects, we call them venom immunotherapy. They confer a morbidity and mortality benefit against fire ant, bees, wasps, yellow jacket, and hornets.
If you need shots or want to discuss whether or not this treatment is right for you, schedule an appointment or contact us today.

ALLERGIC SKIN

Some patients with allergic skin symptoms benefit from patch testing. which helps to identify specific chemicals in cosmetics that can trigger their skin. If you are having a hard time determining the right soaps, and moisturizers or what is triggering your skin, an allergist may be able to help you. Contact us

PENICILLIN ALLERGIES

Penicillins are used to treat infections caused by bacteria and work by killing the bacteria or preventing their growth. A penicillin allergy is an abnormal reaction by your immune system to the antibiotic drug.

One of the most overlooked factors contributing to the rise of antibiotic resistant bacteria is the misdiagnosis of a penicillin allergy. Penicillin is the most common drug allergy, reported in about 10 percent of the population, and leads to receiving alternative antibiotics when a penicillin is the drug of choice. Receiving an alternative antibiotic has been linked to higher costs, greater risk for adverse side effects, longer hospital stays and encouraging the growth of resistant bacterial strains.

PENICILLIN ALLERGY SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Common signs and symptoms of a penicillin allergy includes hives, rash, itching and anaphylaxis. Studies show that this allergy is often time-sensitive, so after five years, 70 percent of those who had a reaction outgrew the allergy.

THE IMPORTANCE OF GETTING TESTED

It is estimated that about 90 percent of people diagnosed with a penicillin allergy can actually receive the drug safely. This is a problem that can result in the use of less appropriate and more expensive antibiotic treatments.

Those alternative treatments are also linked to the rise in antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least two million illnesses and 23,000 deaths are caused by antibiotic resistant bacteria each year in the United States alone. Therefore, it is important to find out if you are actually allergic to this drug.

How do we test for Penicillin allergy?

Typically, we skin test to the chemical components of the drug, and this is followed by an observed oral challenge to Penicillin in the allergy clinic, if the skin test is negative. When you meet with the allergist, she will explain the process in more detail and you will have an opportunity to ask questions.

If you were previously diagnosed with a penicillin allergy, contact us or schedule an appointment about being tested. The test can be completed in a single visit. Finding out that you can safely receive penicillin could save you money, open up treatment options with less side effects and save lives by preventing further growth of drug-resistant bacteria.

FOOD ALLERGIES

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, food allergies affect four to six percent of children and four percent of adults.

SYMPTOMS OF A FOOD ALLERGY

Symptoms of food allergies can range from mild to severe. However, just because an initial reaction causes few problems doesn’t mean that all reactions will be similar. A food that triggered mild symptoms on one occasion may cause more severe symptoms another time.

Allergic reactions to foods can present themselves in many ways and may involve the skin, gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system and the respiratory tract. Symptoms may include:

• Vomiting and/or stomach cramps
• Hives
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Repetitive cough
• Shock or circulatory collapse
• Tight, hoarse throat; trouble swallowing
• Swelling of the tongue, affecting the ability to talk or breathe
• Weak pulse
• Pale or blue coloring of the skin
• Dizziness or feeling faint
• Anaphylaxis

COMMON FOOD ALLERGENS

While any food may cause an adverse reaction, the following eight foods account for about 90 percent of all reactions:

• Eggs
• Milk
• Peanuts
• Tree nuts
• Fish
• Shellfish
• Wheat
• Soy

FOOD ALLERGY TESTING AND TREATMENT

Determining a food allergy can be difficult. Working with an allergist can help provide answers through a combination of examinations, food diaries and skin tests. Once food allergies have been determined, we can provide a treatment plan for both emergency and long-term quality of life.  Regarding food allergies, our practice is limited to  IgE testing in certain individuals presenting with anaphylaxis after food ingestion, children with coexisting allergic disorders, and adults with eosinophilic esophagitis.

If you suspect you suffer from a food allergy, contact us or schedule an appointment to be tested.

PATCH TESTING

Beauty products can help you feel good about yourself, but they can also cause irritated skin or an allergic reaction. Every day, most of us use about 160 different chemicals in the form of personal care or beauty products. These products can result in a skin reaction in some people. There are two types of skin reactions to beauty product: Irritant contact dermatitis or allergic contact dermatitis. Patch testing is done to many substances such as preservatives, metals, rubber, fragrances, detergents, some medications and of course cosmetics.

Contact us or schedule an appointment so we can test you and determine a treatment plan.

Biologics for severe eczema

The first biologic to treat eczema emerged in 2017 and it marked a turning point in the treatment of patients with moderate to severe eczema. We now have more biologics available, in addition to light therapy, and newer anti- inflammation medications called JAK inhibitors. Based on your history, an allergist can help to determine which systemic therapy may be better for you. If you are struggling with severe eczema, Make an appointment to learn more.