Allergy Treatment in San Francisco, CA

The initial step in the treatment of an allergy is an accurate diagnosis by an allergist or immunologist. It involves deciding whether the patient’s symptoms are caused by an allergy and, if so, determining what triggers the allergy as accurately as possible. The resulting diagnosis will target the appropriate treatment or clinical intervention to allow avoidance of the allergic trigger which will help to eliminate or minimize symptoms.

Environmental Allergies

Hay fever, allergic rhinitis, and allergic conjunctivitis are all caused by environmental allergies.
These airborne allergies affect millions of adults and children. Whether you are looking to find out if you have allergies, or if you already know you have them, our doctors are here to help.
We offer comprehensive testing to aid in diagnosis, expertise in managing symptoms and treatment, as well as various allergen immunotherapy options if needed or desired.

Hives

Urticaria (hives) are red, itchy, raised “welts” or “wheals” that can affect all areas of the body, and resolve within 24 hours without scarring.
Urticaria (or hives) are extremely common and can disrupt sleep, school, and work. They often occur without warning and be hard to manage.
Most cases of short-term hives are due to an allergic reaction. However, often when hives are more chronic, no cause can be identified. In these situations, the hives may not be from an external cause, but from an abnormal reaction involving the allergy cells in the skin.
No matter the cause or the severity, our allergists are skilled at helping you to devise a treatment plan that is right for you and your lifestyle.

Anaphylaxis

Allergic reactions occur when the immune system inappropriately identifies a harmless substance as dangerous (such as pollens, pet dander, foods, insect stings, medications, or latex) and mounts an immune response.
Allergic reactions range in severity, and can affect your airways, sinuses and nasal passages, skin, and digestive system.
Anaphylaxis, a life threatening condition, is the most severe form of an allergic reaction. Symptoms can include hives, tongue swelling, throat tightening, shortness of breath, vomiting, diarrhea, low blood pressure, and even death.
Our doctors are well versed in identifying causes of these reactions so that future ones can be avoided. If an allergic reaction or anaphylaxis is suspected, our doctors will take a detailed history, perform a physical exam, and order appropriate tests to confirm the diagnosis.
Together, you and your doctor can develop a comprehensive treatment plan to help you avoid future reactions.

Eczema

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic skin condition caused by inflammation that results in the skin becoming red, rash-like, dry, and itchy.
Atopic dermatitis is estimated to affect over 10% of the world’s population, and has been found to be more common in those who suffer from allergies and asthma.
Management of eczema and atopic dermatitis requires various elements, including bathing regimens, use of topical medications, identifying and avoiding exacerbating triggers, and much more. Our physicians will help develop a personalized comprehensive management regimen that is right for you.

Dupixent

For the treatment of patients aged 6 years and older with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis whose disease is not adequately controlled with topical prescription therapies or when those therapies are not advisable. DUPIXENT can be used with or without topical corticosteroids.
As an add-on maintenance treatment of patients aged 6 years and older with moderate-to-severe asthma characterized by an eosinophilic phenotype or with oral corticosteroid dependent asthma. Limitation of Use: DUPIXENT is not indicated for the relief of acute bronchospasm or status asthmaticus.
As an add-on maintenance treatment in adult patients with inadequately controlled chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis.

Food Allergies

Food allergies can be serious and sometimes dangerous. There are many different types of food reactions and our doctors can help you characterize the nature of your symptoms to help understand how what you eat is affecting your body.
Our allergists utilize various techniques to identify food allergies including a careful medical history, skin or blood testing, and sometimes oral challenges when indicated.
Your allergist can teach you to identify cross-reactive foods, as well as the ins and outs of how to identify symptoms early and use emergency treatment when necessary. They will help you to understand what impact this diagnosis can have on your diet, safety, and overall well-being.
Some people who have a food allergy can lose their food sensitivity over time. Our doctors can also help monitor your sensitization and help you to expand your diet when possible.

Medication and Drug Allergies

Adverse reactions to medications such as penicillin can vary, the most common of which is the development of hives, though serious reactions can occur.
It is important to know whether you are truly allergic to the medication or not, as some infections/disorders are best treated with a specific drug type.
We offer standardized testing for medication/drug allergies, including penicillin testing. During standardized testing an oral challenge may be performed in order to assess whether you are truly allergic to the drug or not.

Insect Sting Allergies

Most insect stings are harmless, but unfortunately for some this can cause a life-threatening condition called anaphylaxis.
With correct identification, our allergists can help create a management and avoidance plan that will help keep you healthy while still being able to enjoy the great outdoors.
We offer comprehensive testing to aid in diagnosis, expertise in managing symptoms and treatment, as well as venom immunotherapy options if needed.

Immunodeficiency

Recurrent infections can sometimes be a sign that the immune system is not functioning properly.
The Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology estimates that there are over 300 forms of primary immunodeficiency. Most of these diseases are considered rare, but they affect nearly 500,000 people in the United States.
Our immunologists are trained in recognizing, diagnosing and treating these conditions. When necessary, they are equipped to implement necessary management strategies such as antibiotics, intravenous or subcutaneous immunoglobulin replacement.