What Conditions Do Allergy & Immunology Doctors Treat

What Conditions Do Allergy & Immunology Doctors Treat

Almost 32% of adults in the U.S. deal with allergies, while children aren’t far behind at 29.5%. Seasonal allergies are the most common, followed by eczema and then food allergies. Allergic rhinitis is the most common diagnosis, with 4.1 million confirmed cases.

When you deal with allergies, your symptoms and severity aren’t the same as the person next to you. That’s why it’s important to work with an allergy and immunology doctor. This branch of medicine treats many conditions, and it’s important to understand the benefits you gain by making an appointment.

The Facts About Allergies

An excessive immune response causes allergies. A substance (allergen) touches your skin or enters your body through your airways or by ingestion, and your immune system overreacts to the “intruder.”

There are different types of allergies. Some are seasonal, others are year-round. They may ease as you get older or last a lifetime. Allergies include:

• Drug Allergy – Allergy to over-the-counter or prescription medications.
• Food Allergy – Reactions that occur when you eat certain foods. 
• Insect Allergy – This allergy includes reactions to insect bites or stings. The most common insect allergies are tied to bees, fire ants, hornets, wasps, and yellow jackets. There are also allergic reactions to the saliva and droppings of cockroaches and dust mites.
• Latex Allergy – Some people are allergic to natural rubber latex, which is found in balloons, certain first-aid bandages, condoms, and latex gloves.
• Mold Allergy – Mold and mold are fungi that thrive in damp environments. They’re a leading cause of year-round allergies.
• Pet Allergy – The saliva and skin cells of animals cause allergies in certain people. While breeders may claim there are hypoallergenic cats and dogs, it’s a myth. Any animal with feathers, fur, or hair sheds skin and has saliva.
• Pollen Allergy – Hay fever is the most common type of allergy. Doctors refer to pollen allergies as seasonal allergic rhinitis. It’s an allergy triggered by pollen from plants and trees.
• Skin Allergy – Skin allergies occur when a substance, like a detergent, latex, metal, or plant sap, touches your skin and causes a reaction.

What Is Immunology?

Immunology is the study of the immune system. It covers how the immune system works, how it’s structured, and how immunizations are developed to ensure they’re effective. It also includes a deeper understanding of the diagnosis and management of autoimmune system diseases and disorders.

With more than 140 autoimmune disorders, immunologists diagnose the disorder affecting you and determine the best treatment or management. An immune system has adaptive and innate immunity. 

The adaptive system includes your B and T cells, which are responsible for identifying and responding to bacteria and viruses. Sometimes, those cells identify a normal cell as an intruder and trigger an attack. Additional B and T cells are produced to sustain the attack, which means healthy tissue is also attacked. That’s how an autoimmune disorder is triggered.

One of the best-known autoimmune disorders is rheumatoid arthritis. The B and T cells attack joint tissue, creating stiff, painful, inflamed joints. Other autoimmune disorders you may know include:

• Hyperthyroidism (Graves’ Disease) – The immune system attacks cells in the thyroid gland, causing it to produce too much of the thyroid hormone.
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease – The immune system triggers an attack on the gastrointestinal tract.
• Lupus – The immune system attacks healthy tissue and organs throughout the body.
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS) – The immune system attacks the coating on nerves in the central nervous system.
• Psoriasis – The immune system attacks skin cells, leading to scaly, itchy patches of skin.
• Type 1 Diabetes – The immune system attacks the pancreas’s insulin-producing cells.

A List of Conditions Our Board-Certified Allergist Treats

Dr. Angela Sabry is a board-certified allergy specialist. She trained at the University of San Francisco-Fresno and completed an allergy and immunology fellowship in Denver, Colorado. She’s an expert in the field of allergies and immunology. 

At her Fresno clinic, she diagnoses and treats the following health conditions, in person or via telehealth.

1. Allergic Rhinitis

You may know allergic rhinitis better as seasonal allergies or hay fever. It’s an allergy triggered by pollen, pet dander, or dust. Common symptoms are itchy, watery eyes, nasal congestion, a runny nose, and sneezing.

An allergist can run a skin prick test to identify the exact triggers for your allergies. Once they’re identified, immunotherapy, such as sublingual drops or allergy shots, is recommended.

2. Asthma

Asthma is a long-term health condition where your body’s airways swell and tighten, leading to shortness of breath and wheezing. It can be triggered by cold air, environmental factors like smoke, exercise, stress, and more. 

Your allergist will perform a lung function test called spirometry to assess how well you breathe. You’ll work together on an asthma action plan, which you can share with family, friends, your employer, and your school.

An inhaler may be prescribed to assist during a severe attack. Medications called biologics may also be prescribed by an allergy and immunology specialist.

3. Atopic Dermatitis

Itchy, red skin rashes, best known as eczema, occur when allergy triggers penetrate the skin’s outer barrier. An allergist runs patch tests to determine the trigger, which could be a pet dander, stress, a dry environment leading to dry skin, or a specific food, to determine how to prevent flare-ups. 

Careful selection and use of skin care products that repair and protect the skin barrier. Treatment of the allergen trigger is also an option.

4. Chronic Cough

If you have a chronic cough, it’s important to find out the cause. It could be an environmental factor, a symptom of acid reflux, lung diseases, or a type of asthma. 

Ruling out allergies is often the first step. If an environmental factor doesn’t cause the cough, further tests may be necessary to eliminate other health problems.

5. Contact Dermatitis

This skin allergy appears as a rash or blisters after touching a trigger. If you get a rash when you wear a watch that contains nickel, that’s an example of contact dermatitis. 

Patch tests identify the irritant. Once it’s determined, you can avoid that item when purchasing things like skin care products, jewelry, or clothing.

Food Allergies

The nine most common food allergies are eggs, fish, milk, peanuts, sesame, shellfish, soy, tree nuts, and wheat. 

Because food allergies can be severe and cause anaphylaxis, oral food challenges are conducted under the supervision of an allergy and immunology doctor. Once diagnosed, oral immunotherapy is an effective way to begin teaching the immune system how to respond appropriately.

6. Immune Deficiency

When your immune system isn’t functioning properly due to a missing component or function, it results in frequent or more severe infections. An immunologist conducts blood tests to check antibody levels and identify which antibodies are missing. Immunoglobulin infusions provide your body with all the antibodies it needs, even if it isn’t producing them.

7. Insect Sting Allergies

For many people, a bee sting is painful. For those with insect sting allergies, a bee sting can be dangerous. Immunotherapy to bee venom can help reduce the severity of the immune system’s response to an insect sting.

8. Medication Allergy/Penicillin Allergy

Penicillin is one of the most common medication allergies. Aspirin is another. If there is an allergy to a medication, it must be confirmed by an allergy doctor and noted in all medical records. 

You don’t want to be unable to tell a paramedic that you’re allergic to aspirin and be given that medication accidentally. Testing is important, and once it’s confirmed, a medic alert bracelet or pendant can help emergency responders.

9. Sinus Disease

Sinusitis is caused by long-term inflammation within the sinus cavities. This can lead to headaches, pressure behind the eyes and nose, and thickened yellow-green mucus. 

This sinus disease can be either acute or chronic. Acute sinusitis usually begins like a cold and lasts for a week or two. Chronic sinusitis is similar, but the symptoms persist for more than 12 weeks. 

It is important to identify the causes of sinusitis. If a doctor detects polyps or a deviated septum, they may refer you to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist. When sinusitis results from allergies, an immunologist might suggest allergy shots or sublingual immunotherapy.

10. Urticaria

Urticaria, or hives, are raised, itchy, red welts that appear on the skin. They can be acute or chronic (lasting six or more weeks). Chronic hives are often treated with high-dose antihistamines to stop the immune system’s overreaction.

Before any medication is recommended, tests to determine the trigger are performed.

Dr. Sabry at Premium Allergy & Respiratory Center becomes your partner in diagnosing your allergies or other health issues. It ensures you start effective treatments, whether that means immunotherapy, prescription allergy medications, or asthma medications.