Allergy and Immunology
La Familia’s department of Pediatrics offers a full range of comprehensive medical services for your child, starting from birth right through to adolescents.
Our friendly and qualified Pediatricians specialize in Newborn and routine baby check-ups,Pediatric illness, nutrition, immunizations, infections
As well as education for the parents to help them make informed decisions about their children’s health and development.
What We Treat
Allergy & Immunology Program physicians specialize in several allergic and immunologic conditions, including:
- Allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
- Asthma (both allergic and non-allergic)
- Urticaria (hives)
- Angioedema (swelling)
- Food and medication allergies
- Atopic dermatitis (commonly known as eczema, characterized by red, itchy, and inflamed skin)
The program team sees patients with symptoms that may be caused by an allergy, such as coughs, sinus headaches, or itching. The team also treats patients suffering from less common conditions, such as recurrent infections due to problems with their immune systems.
During the first visit, an Allergy & Immunology Program physician obtains a detailed patient history and conducts a physical examination. Based on this information, one or more of the following tests may be performed to help confirm the allergy and determine the best treatment for the patient:
Skin prick and patch tests: Skin testing is a way to determine what’s causing a patient’s allergy symptoms. Concentrated amounts of allergens, such as dander, dust mites, mold, and foods, are placed on the patient’s skin to see if they cause a reaction, like redness and swelling you might get with a mosquito bite. With a skin prick test, the physician scratches the outer layer of the skin where the allergen was placed. A safe and simple test, it provides results in 15-20 minutes. During patch testing, patches with specific allergens are applied to the skin on the patient’s back. The results are then analyzed in the clinic after three days.
Blood tests: These tests involve a single needle prick to obtain a blood sample, which is then tested at a laboratory. They measure levels of antibodies (a type of protein produced as part of the body’s defense against infection and disease) released in the blood during an allergic reaction.
Lung function: One or more types of tests known as lung function tests help confirm a diagnosis of asthma. These tests measure breathing and show how well the patient’s lungs are working.
Once a diagnosis is confirmed, patients receive individualized care plans and training for the optimal use of inhalers, nasal sprays and adrenaline autoinjectors (EpiPens). Patients with a specific sensitivity may be offered the option of desensitization. This stimulates the immune system with gradually increasing doses of the substances to which a person is allergic to modify or stop the allergic response. This can be done either with or without injections for a wide range of allergens and drugs, such as aspirin. Patients with severe allergies or immunodeficiency or autoimmunity conditions are provided with state-of-the-art treatments based on international guidelines
Children who suffer recurrent infections and parents who have concern about their children’s immune system are welcome to be evaluated by our pediatric immunologist who may consider carrying out specialized laboratory test for immune system
If you would like to know more about the allergies that could affect your child and the treatments we offer, please get in touch. Our allergy specialists have extensive knowledge and experience in diagnosing and helping parents manage their children’s allergies. Contact us for more information or to arrange an appointment with one of our specialist doctors.