Rhinitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane that lines the nose, often due to an allergy to pollen, dust or other airborne substances. Seasonal allergic rhinitis also is known as “hay fever,” a disorder which causes sneezing, itching, a runny nose and nasal congestion.
Services we offer:
Skin Prick and Intradermal Testing
Commonly referred to as “allergy skin testing,” this diagnostic test evaluates for the presence of allergy to common indoor and outdoor allergens such as dust mites, cat/dog dander, mold spores, tree, grass, and weed pollen. The skin prick test is performed on the patient’s back and consists of gently scratching the surface of the skin with toothpick-like plastic applicators containing small amounts of the allergen. For those patients who do not react to this type of skin test, intradermal testing may be performed; this procedure consists of injecting a small amount of the allergen underneath the skin.
Allergen Immunotherapy (“Allergy Shots”)
Immunotherapy (“allergy shots”) is a form of preventive and anti-inflammatory treatment of allergy to substances such as pollens, house dust mites, fungi, and stinging insect venom. Immunotherapy involves giving gradually increasing doses of the substance, or allergen, to which the person is allergic. The incremental increases of the allergen cause the immune system to become less sensitive to the substance, perhaps by causing production of a particular “blocking” antibody, which reduces the symptoms of allergy when the substances is encountered in the future. Typically, a complete desensitization takes 3-5 years and involves initial weekly injections building up to stronger monthly injections
Cluster Allergen Immunotherapy
This treatment option is based on the same principle as traditional allergen immunotherapy, but involves a significantly shorter period for the initial weekly injections. Therefore patients can reach the stronger monthly injections sooner, which allows them to feel relief sooner.