Hayfever
What is allergic rhinitis?
Urticaria, also known as hives, is a rash that presents as red, itchy swollen areas of the skin. This type of inflammation occurs when the immune system releases the chemical histamine, causing blood vessels to leak, leading to swelling in the skin. Hives may appear suddenly, change shape, or vanish and reappear. Urticaria may be triggered by allergies to food, medications, or the environment, physical stimulants (e.g., temperature extremes, pressure, scratching, sweating, sunlight), autoimmune diseases, viral infections, or some may have no known underlying cause (idiopathic urticaria). Urticaria may be chronic if symptoms recur for longer than six weeks.
How do we diagnose allergic rhinitis?
We obtain a thorough patient history and order a blood test to identify your specific allergic triggers.
How do we treat allergic rhinitis?
First and foremost, we discuss and educate patients on preventative measures of allergen avoidance and environmental control. If appropriate, we may prescribe medications, such as oral antihistamines, nasal sprays, or eye drops, to help manage your symptoms.Most importantly, as a long-term solution to allergies, we offer a form of allergen immunotherapy known as sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) with our HeyPak®. HeyPak® involves the administration of liquid drops of allergen mixes under the tongue to desensitize your body to the substances you are allergic to, so it longer identifies them as intruders. Over time, this reduces your allergic symptoms and the need for medications.
Chronic Sinusitis
What is chronic sinusitis?
Sinusitis refers to inflammation or swelling of the cavities around the eyes, behind the nose, or within the cheekbones. This occurs when the sinuses become blocked or have increased mucus buildup, which is most frequently caused by an upper respiratory infection or uncontrolled allergies. Major symptoms of sinusitis include nasal congestion, nasal discharge, postnasal drip, and facial pressure or pain. This condition becomes chronic when symptoms last for at least 12 weeks.
How do we diagnose chronic sinusitis?
To diagnose sinusitis, we use a patient’s detailed history and may order certain tests. An allergy blood test will most often be ordered to determine if specific environmental triggers may be exacerbating your condition. We may also order an imaging study, such as a CT scan of the sinuses, to evaluate for mechanical obstruction due to deviated nasal septum or nasal polyps. Additionally, we may recommend an endoscopy where a narrow scope through the nasal cavity allows the visualization of your sinuses and any blockages. For patients who present with recurring sinus infections, we may also order additional blood testing to evaluate for immune system deficiency.
How do we treat chronic sinusitis?
We develop a comprehensive treatment plan for patients that may involve prescribing medications such as nasal sprays, antihistamines, and nasal irrigation, as well as detailing practical prevention measures. If a patient’s nasal structure is suspected to be a contributing factor to their condition, we can refer them to an ear-nose-throat physician to evaluate for surgery. For patients who test positive for allergies, we provide a long-term solution to prevent sinusitis by placing them on a form of allergen immunotherapy known as sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) our HeyPak®. HeyPak® uses the administration of liquid drops of allergen mixes under the tongue to desensitize your body to the substances you are allergic to, so it longer identifies them as intruders. Over time, this reduces your symptoms and the need for medications.
Asthma
What is asthma?
Asthma is a chronic disease that occurs at any age and involves inflammation of the airways in the lungs (bronchi). The muscles around the airways tighten, constricting airflow in and out of the lungs, and cause symptoms of coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. The most common type of asthma is allergic asthma, triggered by inhaling allergens, such as pollens, dust mites, pet dander, or mold. Through the immune response, these allergens cause the airways of the lungs to become inflamed and swollen. Other types of asthma include but are not limited to exercise-induced asthma ( that occurs with physical exertion) occupational asthma (that occurs by inhaling fumes, gases, or smoke), eosinophilic asthma, eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), Aspirin exacerbated Respiratory Disease (AERD), and Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA).
How do we diagnose asthma?
We use a patient’s medical history with their pattern of symptoms and blood tests to determine the type of asthma and potentially exclude other diagnoses. We will most often conduct a blood allergy screening to determine if underlying environmental triggers may be contributing to your asthma. If needed, we may also order imaging studies such as chest x-rays or CT scans to evaluate if structural components are contributing to your symptoms.
How do we treat asthma?
Asthma is an ongoing condition with a fluctuating disease state that requires continued monitoring and treatment. Therefore, asthma management requires effective communication between patients and their healthcare provider. As your provider, we develop a detailed and personalized plan for you to help manage and control your asthma symptoms. We work closely with our patients to help them understand their condition, follow their plan, and demonstrate proper use of medications or other therapies. Specific treatments may involve avoiding triggers that cause your symptoms, prescribing inhalers, or placing you on certain oral medications.
For patients with allergic asthma, we offer a form of allergen immunotherapy known as sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) with our HeyPak®. HeyPak® uses the administration of liquid drops of allergen mixes under the tongue to desensitize your body to the substances you are allergic to (e.g., dust mites, pet dander, pollens), so it no longer identifies them as intruders. Over time, this reduces your asthma symptoms related to your allergic triggers and the need for medications.
Chronic Cough
What is a chronic cough?
Chronic cough is defined as a cough that persists for at least eight weeks in adults and at least 6 weeks in children. Chronic cough is most commonly attributed to postnasal drip, acid reflux, and lower respiratory conditions, including asthma and COPD. Additional underlying causes include allergies, infections, medications, and tobacco use. While it may not be a sign of a serious illness, it is still important to be evaluated by an allergist as a chronic cough can cause discomfort, lead to disruption of sleep, and affect your overall quality of life.
How do we diagnose chronic cough?
When we evaluate patients for chronic cough, we start by taking a detailed history. We can then order specific tests, including a blood allergy test to determine if underlying environmental triggers (e.g., pollens, pet dander, dust mites, mold) may be contributing to your chronic cough or imaging studies (e.g., x-ray, CT scan).
How do we treat chronic cough?
We can treat chronic cough by prescribing medications based on the underlying cause of your condition. This may include antihistamines or decongestants for a cough related to post nasal drip and allergies, acid blockers for a cough related to acid reflux, inhalers for a cough related to asthma, and antibiotics for a cough related to infection. We may also provide treatment for your allergies with sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) and our HeyPak® to manage your symptoms long-term.
For patients with allergic asthma, we offer a form of allergen immunotherapy known as sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) with our HeyPak®. HeyPak® uses the administration of liquid drops of allergen mixes under the tongue to desensitize your body to the substances you are allergic to (e.g., dust mites, pet dander, pollens), so it no longer identifies them as intruders. Over time, this reduces your asthma symptoms related to your allergic triggers and the need for medications.
Urticaria / Hives
What is urticaria?
Urticaria, also known as hives, is a rash that presents as red, itchy swollen areas of the skin. This type of inflammation occurs when the immune system releases the chemical histamine, causing blood vessels to leak, leading to swelling in the skin. Hives may appear suddenly, change shape, or vanish and reappear. Urticaria may be triggered by allergies to food, medications, or the environment, physical stimulants (e.g., temperature extremes, pressure, scratching, sweating, sunlight), autoimmune diseases, viral infections, or some may have no known underlying cause (idiopathic urticaria). Urticaria may be chronic if symptoms recur for longer than six weeks.
How do we diagnose urticaria?
We can diagnose urticaria by ordering blood work and checking for laboratory markers of inflammation and allergies.
How do we treat urticaria?
We can treat your urticaria by developing a regimen of antihistamines and other medications. We also discuss in detail what to avoid to help prevent urticarial breakouts.
Most importantly, as a long-term solution to allergies, we offer a form of allergen immunotherapy known as sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) with our HeyPak®. HeyPak® involves the administration of liquid drops of allergen mixes under the tongue to desensitize your body to the substances you are allergic to, so it longer identifies them as intruders. Over time, this reduces your allergic symptoms and the need for medications.
Angiodema (swelling)
What is angioedema?
Angioedema is the swelling of the deep layers of the skin and tissues that most commonly presents around the eyes, lips, tongue, hands, feet, or genitals. It can potentially be life-threatening if it occurs in the larynx, causing throat tightness and difficulty breathing. The swelling may also be accompanied by urticaria (hives), burning sensation, or pain. Possible causes of angioedema include allergies to food, medications, or genetics (e.g. hereditary angiodema).
How do we diagnose angioedema?
We can diagnose this condition by evaluating your medical history. If needed, blood work may be ordered. We may also screen you for potential allergic triggers with a blood test.
How do we treat angioedema?
We can develop a treatment plan for your angioedema by discussing avoidance of known triggers, placing you on oral medications, such as antihistamines or steroids, or examining your need for certain specialty injectable medications. We may also prescribe an epinephrine autoinjector if necessary.
Eczema
What is dermatitis?
Dermatitis, also known as eczema, is inflammation of the skin that often presents as red, itchy, dry rashes. In infants, eczema usually appears as small bumps on the cheeks. In older children and adults, rashes commonly appear in the knees or elbows, as well as on the backs of hands, ankles, face, neck, or scalp. This is a chronic and recurrent condition that may be worsened by an ongoing itch-scratch cycle; therefore, it is crucial to seek treatment with an allergist to control your symptoms. Genetics, infection, hygiene, and climate may be factors in this condition; however, eczema’s most common causes include allergies to foods, environmental factors (e.g., pollen, dust mites, and pet dander), and specific chemicals you may have direct contact with.
How do we diagnose dermatitis?
We diagnose dermatitis using the physical presentation of the symptoms and different blood tests to identify the condition’s potential causes. One blood test includes an allergy screening to determine if any environmental or food allergies could be contributing to your eczema.
How do we treat dermatitis?
We develop a personalized and detailed action plan to help patients combat their eczema. This plan may include education on proper skincare and allergen avoidance, topical medications, antihistamines, and/or wet-wrap therapy. We also offer sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) with our HeyPak®, which is effective in treating eczema in individuals with environmental allergies.
Food Allergies
What are food allergies?
Food allergies occur when your immune system identifies a particular food protein as foreign and overreacts by releasing a flood of chemical mediators. This response results in various reactions, including skin rash, angioedema or swelling, throat tightness, wheezing and difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and nasal congestion. In some people, food allergies can also lead to anaphylaxis. The foods that cause the most food allergies are cow’s milk, eggs, peanuts, wheat, soy, fish, shellfish, and tree nuts (e.g., almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, pistachios, walnuts, pecan, walnuts, chestnuts).
How do we diagnose food allergies?
We diagnose food allergies by considering a patient’s detailed history and ordering a food blood allergy test to identify specific foods you may be allergic to.
How do we treat food allergies?
Based on your history and blood test results, we will be able to educate you on avoiding particular foods and provide a food action plan. Additionally, most infants and young children can outgrow their food allergies. We can prescribe and explain the proper use of epinephrine autoinjectors if you are at risk for anaphylaxis.
