Allergies are our immune system’s attempt to protect us from common allergens like pollen, dust mites, animal dander, insect stings, latex, molds, food and certain medications. For many of us, an allergic response is an over activation of our immune system. This reaction usually triggers symptoms – runny nose, cough, sore or tight throat, inflamed stuffy sinuses, headaches or sometimes stomach pain or rashes on the skin. It can also be more serious and cause a life-threatening condition, such as asthma exacerbation and anaphylaxis – the closing off of your airways.                 

Our skilled, world-renown health care team will review your medical history to identify triggers contributing to your symptoms.  A diagnostic evaluation is provided via skin testing to determine allergies, possible patch testing and if necessary oral challenge may be considered. Many people diagnosed with allergies also have asthma.  Our health care providers will identify the type of inflammation in the lungs using biomarkers and develop a customized treatment plan.  Our staff is trained in providing face to face education on how to use prescription medications, such as various inhalers or epi-pen injectors, to help patients maintain an active life and avoid allergic reactions and asthma attacks. This personalized approach will help you successfully manage your allergies, prevent asthma attacks and get you back to your active, daily routines.

Conditions Associated with Asthma

Often eczema presents early in life and can be indicative of allergies and asthma later in life (referred to as the atopic march).  Atopic is defined as a genetic predisposition to allergies. Atopic eczema also called atopic dermatitis is a common chronic or recurrent inflammatory skin disease. There are key characteristics that are unique to eczema.

Eczema is a general term for any type of dermatitis or very itchy rash. Eczema usually appears in infancy or early childhood, and it appears as red, scaly dry skin. Eczema has many causes; some types are hereditary, and others can be caused by external irritants and allergens.

Treatment for Eczema

For most cases of eczema, management of symptoms is the key to reducing flare-ups. Moisturizers are available as over-the-counter products to ease discomfort from the chronic dry skin and regular use helps reduce frequency of flare-ups, as well as severity. OTC cortisone (steroid) creams applied to affected areas are helpful and a proven therapy for most eczema sufferers. Prescription topical steroids may also provide relief. Prescription oral steroids are prescribed only for severe flare-ups. New prescription nonsteroid drugs are proving to be effective, as well. Discuss with your physician any alternative medication you are taking since it may include other ingredients that could trigger your eczema.

Other Tips For Managing Your Eczema

• Bathe in warm (not hot) water with unscented liquid Dove or other soap substitute, or apply wet compresses to ease the itch not more than 15 mins.
• Apply unscented moisturizers to damp skin within three minutes after bathing to trap moisture.
• Avoid excessive scrubbing, and toweling.
• Learn which stressful situations or events tend to trigger your eczema and use stress management techniques to help you cope with them.
• Use a “free and clear” laundry detergent.

If the condition is hereditary or genetic, it’s called a primary immunodeficiency disease (PIDD) – there are more than 300 PIDDs. 

One such PIDD is psoriasis, a very common inflammatory condition associated with allergies and asthma that affects 7.5 million people. Our expert immunologists can help you determine which PIDD you may have and which course of treatment is best for you. 

Some PIDDs include

• Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD)• Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID)
• DiGeorge syndrome
• Selective IGA deficiency
• Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)
• X-Linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA)

In addition our providers are specially trained to identify and treat many other airway and immunological disorders, including:

• Acute and Chronic Urticaria
• Angioedema
• Drug Hypersensitivity (DH)
• Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA)
• Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD)
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS)
• Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyarteritis (EGPA)
• Eosinophilic esophagitis (EOE)
• Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES)
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES)
• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
• Systemic mastocytosis
• Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCS)
• Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD)
• Paradoxical vocal fold movement (PVFM)