Allergies

Southdale Pediatrics Associates Allergy Clinic has a long history of caring for and curing many allergic, asthmatic and immunologic diseases.  We strive to stay current on the latest advancements and provide our patients with the best medical management available. We currently have 3 board-certified Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Specialists (shortened to “Allergists”) working with a specialized RN  support staff. We see children and adults throughout their lifetime. 

Asthma affects over 20 million children and adults in the United States.  The burden of this disease is tremendous.  Unfortunately, there is still no cure but current medical therapies can control asthma and provide a normal quality of life.  Inhaled steroids and bronchodilators are the mainstay of treatment.  The Allergists are trained to identify the underlying causes of asthma and can personalize the therapies for each patient.  For allergic asthma, allergy shots may better control the disease.

Allergy is a term that is often used loosely to mean "an adverse reaction" to something.  A true allergy can be detected by history and confirmed with a skin or blood tests.  The tests identify a specific IgE antibody against the allergic substance.  Allergies can cause allergic rhinitis/hayfever (nose), allergic conjunctivitis (eyes), allergic asthma, allergic hives and eczema, allergic angioedema (swelling), eosinophilic esophagitis (esophagus) and allergic gastritis or colitis (stomach and bowels).   The most severe allergic reaction is anaphylaxis which should be evaluated immediately by a board-certified Allergist.

Allergists are the detectives to help identify those "things" that may trigger  itchy or swollen skin, nose or eyes and  sneezes,  wheezes or abdominal pain with or without vomiting or diarrhea.  Testing is very simple with prick tests on the back or arm.  Blood testing could be substituted for skin tests.  The ImmunoCAP blood test previously known as RAST is the best blood test to evaluate for the  specific IgE antibody .   
Allergic causes can be environmental (dust, animals, pollen or mold spores), drugs, venom (stinging insects) or foods.   Reccurent infections may be part of Allergy and Asthma.  Specialized immune tests can be performed out rule out an immunodeficiency. 

Sometimes, there is an allergic-like reaction but no specific allergy is found.   If it isn’t an allergy, other adverse reactions such as nonallergic rhinitis,  nonallergic asthma and nonallergic hives (urticaria) and swelling (angioedema) can often be  treated by an Allergist.

The Allergist you see will work hard to find the cause and treatment.  A unique specialized treatment plan will be offered  to ensure the best quality of life for each  patient. This may mean that the patient with  may need regular dosing of shots for allergic sensitivities.

Immunotherapy (allergy shots) has been used for over 100 years.  It has made advancements with better standardization of dosing and results in better efficacy.  It has shown over 95% efficacy for venom allergy, and 70-80% efficacy for hayfever symptoms for pollens, dust, and animals.  Allergic asthma has improved on immunotherapy as well.  We provide walk-in allergy shots for our patients at three locations:  Edina, Burnsville, and Eden Prairie.

The following links may be helpful for our allergy patients:

Immune Deficiency Foundation
Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network
American Lung Association of MN
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
National Eczema Association
Anaphylaxis and Food Allergy Association of MN
Allergies A-Z
YouTube Allergists Channel

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