Allergy and Immunology
Live Comfortably
Under the direction of our board-certified allergists and immunologists, St. Luke's provides a full-range of diagnostic and treatment services for adult and pediatric patients seeking treatments for allergies or immune system diseases that are ongoing or difficult to control, such as allergy-induced asthma. Seeing a specialist for early treatment and preventive care is the best way to ensure optimal treatment, live comfortably, and reduce the risk of life-threatening allergy complications.
Types of Allergies
Environmental and Seasonal Allergies
Are you seeking relief from the bothersome symptoms of allergies? Runny nose. Constant sneezing. Itchy, watery eyes. If this describes you during allergy season, you're not alone. Millions of people suffer from allergies and if you’re one of them, you know how miserable spring flowers and fall leaves can make you feel.
Common environmental allergies include:
- Pollen (hay fever)
- Animal dander
- Chemicals
- Mold
- Dust mites
You don't have to suffer. It is important to discuss testing and treatment options with your health care doctor. Allergy evaluation may be completed by skin or blood test. Treatment options can include oral allergy medications, or allergy shots and drops.
Food Allergies
Food allergies are a growing food safety and public health concern. A food allergy is an abnormal reaction by the immune system to specific proteins in certain foods. Some people with food allergies may simply have reactions that are uncomfortable, while others may have life-threatening reactions triggered by even the smallest amount of a given food.
Common food allergies include:
- Cow's milk
- Peanuts
- Soybeans
- Eggs
- Wheat
If you think you or someone you love may have a food allergy, it is important to discuss this concern with your doctor to create a health and wellness plan that works for you.
Contact Allergies
Contact allergies are another type of common allergy. These can include:
- Detergents
- Cosmetics
- Perfumes
- Cleaning supplies
- Nature
It is NOT advisable to diagnose allergies yourself. Confirm allergens through an allergy test. Your doctor may conduct tests to determine which allergens are causing your symptoms so you can know which triggers to specifically avoid.
Immunodeficiency
The prevalence of primary immunodeficiency in the United States is estimated at 1 in 2000 individuals. If you or a loved one has two or more of these signs, ask your health care doctor about primary immunodeficiency.
- ≥2 new ear infections within 1 year
- ≥2 new sinus infections within 1 year, in the absence of allergy
- 1 pneumonia per year for more than 1 year
- Chronic diarrhea with weight loss
- Recurrent viral infections (colds, herpes, warts)
- Recurrent need for IV antibiotics to clear infections
- Recurrent, deep abscesses of the skin or internal organs
- Persistent thrush or fungal infection on skin or elsewhere
- Infection with normally harmless tuberculosis-like bacteria
- A family history of primary immunodeficiency