Robert W. Eitches, MD & Maxine B. Baum, MD - Tower Allergy

Screening for allergies is necessary in order to identify the specific allergens that trigger reactions. By identifying the specific allergens, an allergy sufferer can avoid them as much as possible to reduce the frequency of reactions. Skin tests are the most effective tool in screening for allergies. They are quick to put on, and the results are ready 15 minutes later. In skin tests, a tiny drop of a solution that contains the possible allergen is placed on the skin, which is then scratched so that the allergen barely enters the body. The skin is then checked for an abnormal reaction. In this way, specific triggers of allergic response may be identified. Depending on the situation, more extensive testing may be required to determine specific triggers. Allergy skin tests are commonly administered to diagnose conditions such as allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and eczema, as well as allergies to foods. In most cases, patients may be required to stop taking antihistamines or other medications before undergoing testing. There are several different tests available to identify allergens. Blood tests, which screen for antibodies produced in response to allergens, are commonly used, especially in diagnosing bee sting allergies. The most common blood test is the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), which measures the amount of immunoglobulin E in the blood. Although blood tests can find a wide range of allergies, including those that may not even produce symptoms, they are less sensitive than other tests.

Asthma is a condition in which the lungs and air passages become inflamed and constricted, interfering with normal breathing. During the first stage of an asthmatic response, inhaled allergens or other irritants cause the airways to constrict. During the second stage, there is an inflammatory response, causing the airways to swell and fill with thickened, sticky mucus. Patients with asthma have increasing difficulty breathing during an attack, making the wheezing sound associated with the condition. Asthma affects approximately 15 million Americans each year. Although life-threatening, it can most often be well-controlled with medication.

A food allergy is present when the immune system has an abnormal reaction to proteins in a particular food. Food allergy symptoms, which can be triggered by ingesting even minute amounts of the food, usually happen within minutes but may, occasionally, happen a few hours later. Food allergies can begin in childhood or in adulthood, with some people suddenly having allergic responses to foods that have never caused problems. In other cases, allergies appear after a food is consumed for the first time. Certain food allergies that affect young children may eventually go away.

Oral immunotherapy, often referred to as sublingual immunotherapy or SLIT (a drop under the tongue), is a natural approach to treating allergies. It works by gradually exposing the patient to their allergens, giving the body time to naturally build up resistance. One builds up “blocking antibodies” instead of “allergy antibodies.” With the immune system restored to good health, few or no medications may be needed. The burden of allergies can be lifted, and allergies can be something that you just don’t think about anymore. SLIT is shown to be effective in treating pollen, dust mite, and animal allergies. Studies have shown that the benefits remain even after treatment has stopped. SLIT is FDA approved in this country, but for only ragweed or grass pollen. Since many patients in Southern California are allergic to more than one item, say a combination of dust mite, dog, cat, grass, and tree, we are making our own mix of sublingual immunotherapy that will combine multiple items in one drop. The frequency will be one drop under the tongue once a day. Benefits are often seen within two to four months. SLIT is especially suited for people who have pollen, dust mite, and/or animal allergies causing hay fever (allergic rhinitis) and asthma. The oral drops are very useful for people who do not like to take medications or who are not well controlled with the medications but cannot come to the office for allergy injections. The therapy is also very safe, with the worst reaction usually being itching in the mouth. We will not use them for food allergies.