Services
Comprehensive Medical Evaluations And Follow Up Care
At the Allergy & Asthma Specialty Clinic, we provide a complete and thorough evaluation and treatment of a wide variety of allergic and respiratory conditions. You can expect your initial visit to focus on a detailed medical history and physical examination as well as possible testing to help in diagnosis if necessary. The results of any test results and their meaning as well as what that means in determining probable causes for your medical problems will be explained in detail. In addition, we provide information about how to avoid triggers, use medications appropriately, and manage your disease in both the long and short term.
Types of Testing and Procedures Available:
Allergen Percutaneous Skin Testing: Also known as a prick or scratch test is the most accurate testing procedure available at this time. We can test the most common allergens that are relevant in our area including various tree, grass, and weed pollens, dust mites, mold spores, cats, dogs, and other animal danders. There is also skin testing available for some foods. Best of all, this allergy test does not use needles! Instead, we use small plastic picks manufactured by Greer Labs that allow us to put just the right amount of allergen on the skin so we get a consistent reading every time.
Other Skin Testing Techniques:
There are other forms of skin testing to look for allergies to bee/insect stings, drug allergies, or aeroallergens that may involve the use of an intradermal procedure. Though this does involve needles, it is very small and done just like testing for tuberculosis (PPD).
Pulmonary Function Testing (Spirometry):
This is a test done to evaluate lung function and assess for airway obstruction in diseases such as asthma, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis. It involves blowing air from your lungs into a machine to measure volumes and may be done before and after the use of medications that can alter lung function.
Patch Skin Testing:
This 3-day test is used to help diagnose allergic contact dermatitis - a recurrent skin condition that presents as a red, itchy rash that is related to an allergen that contacts your skin. Common skin allergens include Nickel, Fragrances, Formaldehyde, Adhesives, Rubber products, and many more.
Allergy Challenge Tests:
This type of testing or challenge is often used to diagnose allergy to medications (such as aspirin or ibuprofen) or with food allergies.
Allergy Shots (Immunotherapy):
Allergy shots are a series of injections given at regular intervals to provide gradual desensitization or vaccination against those allergens which cause symptoms of hay fever or asthma. Shots are administered in our clinic by our skillful and trained nursing staff.
Rush Immunotherapy:
This half-day procedure is done to rapidly build up the allergy shots within a relatively short period of time in order to get to a maintenance dose of allergen immunotherapy within just a few weeks.
Education About Allergic and Respiratory Diseases, Allergen and Other Trigger Avoidance Techniques, and Treatment Options:
At the Allergy & Asthma Specialty Clinic, we believe that you are a partner in helping to control your disease and provide you with the education about what your diagnoses are, what types of triggers you need to avoid and how to avoid them. We also take the time to make sure that you understand any prescriptions or treatment plans given to you. From strategies to reduce dust mite exposure to instruction on how to properly use an inhaler, our staff strives to ensure that you have all the information you need to help us manage your disease.
Preventive Immunizations:
The Allergy & Asthma Specialty Clinic is pleased to provide influenza vaccines to our patients if needed.
