If you experience symptoms such as watery and itchy eyes, nasal congestion, stuffy nose, sneezing, coughing, you may want to consider allergy testing. Both indoor and outdoor allergens such as pollens, dust mites, pet dander, mold can trigger your immune system resulting in these bothersome symptoms. Allergy skin testing and sometimes blood work is used to determine which allergens you are reacting to. Management will be tailored and customized to try and help you with your specific symptoms.

Reactions to food can range from sensitivities/intolerances to severe reactions resulting in anaphylaxis. If you are worried about food allergies, ask for a referral and based on your history, it will be decided what testing is required which may include skin tests, blood tests and possibly oral challenges. For select patients, mainly young children, immunotherapy may be helpful to gradually develop tolerance to a known food allergen.

Hives aka Urticaria are red, raised welts that appear on the skin. Symptoms are usually short lived and are due to activation of allergy cells called mast cells which release various mediators resulting in symptoms. Hives are sometimes accompanied by angioedema or swelling and angioedema can occur on its own as well for other reasons. Hives can be associated with allergic reactions to foods, medications, infections, bee/wasp stings. Some people also have spontaneous hives which can last for a long time and are not triggered by allergies. If you are having recurrent hives and/or angioedema consider speaking to your Allergist.

Eczema is a skin barrier disorder that results in dry, scaly, red, and itchy skin. Symptoms typically start in children before the age of 5 but people of any age can develop it. Eczema rash typically appears on children’s faces, necks, wrists, hands, ankles, and feet. In older children and adults, symptoms typically develop in the flexural folds (back of the knees, bends of the arms) of the extremities and may develop very thick, rough skin (lichenification) or darkening of the skin (hyperpigmentation.) Diagnosis is typically based on history and physical examination however allergy testing may be done to identify potential triggers.

This is a serious allergic reaction which can sometimes be fatal if not recognized and treated appropriately. Most common triggers include food, insect stings, medications. If you have had a severe reaction, it is important to see your allergist to confirm diagnosis, identify triggers and discuss ways to avoid your allergen. In certain cases such as insect sting anaphylaxis, immunotherapy ( allergy shots) can be helpful to prevent recurrent anaphylaxis.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition of the lungs which often begins in childhood however adults may also present with new onset asthma. Common asthma triggers include illnesses, exercise, allergies ( to environmental and animal allergens), cold air and irritants. Symptoms can include cough, tightness in your chest, difficulty breathing, wheezing. An allergist can help determine the cause of your asthma through medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic testing and recommend an individualized treatment plan which usually includes trigger avoidance, medications, treatment of underlying conditions and sometimes immunotherapy.

EoE is an increasingly recognized condition in children and adults results from inflammation of the esophagus (tubing connecting the mouth to the stomach) and eventual narrowing of esophagus resulting in symptoms such difficulty swallowing, food getting stuck in esophagus, abdominal or chest pain, nausea/vomiting, food refusal, reflux. This condition occurs more often in people who also have other allergies such as eczema, asthma, hay fever. Testing for food allergies is not helpful however diagnosis is based on history and endoscopy which is typically done by a gastroenterologist. Together with a gastroenterologist, an allergist can help with diagnosis and ongoing management of this condition.

Sinuses are spaces in your nose, cheeks and forehead which are usually filled with air. When they become inflamed due to allergies, infections, anatomical defects and sometimes immunodeficiencies, you may experience symptoms such as nasal congestion, discharge, poor sense of smell, facial pain, toothaches, fatigue, ear pressure. Since allergies are a common cause of sinusitis, allergy skin testing can be helpful to identify potential allergy triggers.

Nasal polyps are painless and benign (noncancerous) growths that can grow in your nasal and sinus passages. Symptoms can include poor sense of smell, nasal congestion, snoring, post nasal drip, coughing, sinus headaches, recurrent sinus infections. Diagnosis often requires endoscopy and imaging to confirm and various treatments include medical and sometimes surgical area available.

When a cough lasts longer than two months, it is labelled as a “chronic cough.” This can be a frustrating condition to have. An Allergist can help you determine the reason for you cough with a combination of history, physical and diagnostic tests.

A stinging insect allergy can potentially be life-threatening. If you have had a severe allergic reaction after being stung, consider referral to an allergist who can identify the stinging insect you are allergic to and customize a treatment plan which often includes avoidance, Epipen and allergy shots for those patients with systemic symptoms. Desensitization therapy ( aka allergy shots) can be up to 95-98% effective in preventing systemic reactions and can be life saving.

If you have a history of recurring ear infections, sinus infections, pneumonia then an evaluation may be warranted as allergies, structural abnormalities and immune deficiencies can predispose to these recurrent symptoms.

If you have reacted to medications before including vaccines, it is recommended that these drug allergies be re-evaluated as you may not be allergic anymore. Unnecessarily avoiding medications means you often have to use second line medications instead which can be more costly or have more side effects. Avoiding vaccines may predispose you to preventable illnesses. Your Allergist can help you determine whether testing and/or drug challenge may be appropriate for you.