Allergies Specialist

Regional Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Center

Allergy and Immunology & Allergy & Asthma located in Kingsport, TN & Johnson City, TN

Allergies affect more than 50 million Americans and are the most common health issue in children. At Regional Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Center, the world's leading physician in the field, Shailee Madhok, MD, and the team offer state-of-the-art testing and treatments for allergies to help you or your child get the care needed for allergy symptom relief. To schedule an appointment, contact the office in Kingsport and Johnson City, Tennessee; and Abingdon, Virginia, by phone or online today.

Allergies

What are allergies?

Allergies are a chronic health condition caused by an overreaction of your immune system to a substance, referred to as an allergen, it considers harmful. When your body comes in contact with the allergen, your immune system develops antibodies called immunoglobulin E (IgE), which causes an allergic reaction. 


What are common allergens?

You can develop an allergy to almost any substance. However, some allergens are more common, including:


  • Drugs
  • Insects
  • Pollen
  • Pets
  • Mold
  • Latex
  • Food


The team at Regional Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Center also specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of skin allergies, which may be caused by certain metals, poison ivy, or soaps. 


What symptoms develop from allergies?

The type of symptoms you experience depend on the allergen responsible for your allergies. However, common symptoms include:


  • Watery eyes
  • Itchy nose and throat
  • Sneezing
  • Abdominal pain
  • Hives


If your allergic reactions are severe, you may experience anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include shortness of breath, confusion, dizziness, or loss of consciousness. 


How are allergies diagnosed?

The team at Regional Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Center are allergy specialists and use many methods of testing to diagnose allergies. To determine the best test, the team first conducts a comprehensive evaluation, which includes a review of symptoms, medical and family history, and a physical exam.

Based on the information gathered during the exam, they determine the type of allergy test needed to identify the allergen responsible for your symptoms. 


What are allergy testing methods?

The team at Regional Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Center offers state-of-the-art allergy testing to identify the source of your symptoms. Allergy testing methods include:

Skin allergy testing

Skin allergy testing is the most common allergy test. During the in-office test, your provider pricks your skin with a very diluted allergen and monitors for a reaction. 

If you’re allergic to the substance, your skin becomes red, swollen, and itchy, similar to a mosquito bite. Reactions typically develop within 15 minutes.  

Open drug challenge

Regional Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Center offers the open drug challenge test to patients who experience an allergic reaction after taking a medication. During the in-office open drug challenge, your provider administers the suspected medication and monitors for a reaction. 

The team also uses the open drug challenge to test for food allergies.

Blood test

For an allergy blood test, your provider takes a sample of blood and sends it out to test for immunoglobulin E (IgE), the antibodies your immune system produces to fight off allergens. High blood levels of IgE may mean you have an allergy.  

Once the team identifies the allergen responsible for your symptoms, they develop an individualized treatment plan to eliminate or minimize exposure to the allergen, as well as treatments to manage symptoms. 

Regional Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Center offers allergy shots as a treatment option for some allergies, which may completely eliminate your symptoms.

For expert care for your allergies, contact Regional Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Center by phone or online today.