Allergies, which are caused by a reaction of the body’s immune system, are one of the most common chronic health conditions, affecting as many as 30 percent of adults and 40 percent of children in the United States. Allergens come in many forms and patients’ reactions to these allergens range from mild to severe.
Yuma Regional Medical Center’s allergy, asthma and immunology specialists are trained to diagnose, manage and treat a wide range of allergic conditions or immunologic diseases in both adult and pediatric patients, including:
- Allergies (Hay Fever) - Symptoms like runny, itchy nose and eyes, sneezing, sinus problems and nasal congestion. They are usually caused by environmental allergens like pollen (from grass, trees or weeds), pets, dust mites and molds. It affects almost 40 to 60 million Americans
- Asthma - Symptoms like recurring periods of wheezing (a whistling sound while breathing), chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing. Cough often occurs at night or early in the morning or with exercise. Asthma affects both children and adults, and more than 25 million people are known to have asthma in the country
- Allergic Reaction - An allergic reaction is an overreaction of the immune system to substances that are usually harmless such as foods, medications or insect bites. This can cause severe symptoms like hives, swelling, breathing problems, throat closure or a fall in the blood pressure (anaphylaxis), which can be life threatening. Common causes for allergic reactions include:
- Food Allergies (eg. peanut, egg etc.)
- Drug Allergies (eg. penicillin, aspirin etc.)
- Insect Sting Allergies (eg. honey bee, wasp, yellow jacket etc.)
- Idiopathic (due to an unknown cause)
- Eczema - Skin condition where patches of skin become inflamed, itchy, red, cracked, and rough, sometimes triggered by various allergens. When it starts as a young child, there could be food or environmental triggers. When it starts as an adult, personal care products or chemicals that come in contact with the skin could be the triggers
- Primary Immunodeficiency - Frequent or serious infections due to decreased capacity of the immune system to respond effectively to a variety of infectious agents. It is diagnosed by demonstration of low levels or function of various components of the immune system in the blood
We provide a number of different treatments and services aimed at improving symptoms associated with allergies or immunodeficiency disorders, including:
- Allergy testing - Skin or patch tests to detect allergy triggers or causes like:
- Environmental allergens (pollen, pets, dust mite, etc.)
- Foods
- Certain drugs (penicillin, lidocaine)
- Insects (honey bee, wasp, yellow jacket, hornets, fire ant)
- Patch skin test to detect contact allergy to nickel, fragrances, chemicals etc.
- Allergy Immunotherapy (allergy shots) – Frequent injections of an allergy extract, individualized for each patient, to boost your immune system to treat nasal/eye allergies, asthma or insect sting allergies. There are no allergy shots for food allergies
- Spirometry testing – A breathing test used to diagnose or monitor asthma. This test assesses how well your lungs work by measuring the flow of air you inhale and exhale. It is quick, painless and can be done in the office at the time of your visit
- Advanced biologic therapy – Injected treatment with biologic drugs like omalizumab (anti-IgE antibody) and mepolizumab (anti-eosinophil antibody) for difficult to control asthma when inhalers no longer work
- Food and drug challenges – Tests conducted in the clinic under close monitoring where the food/drug in question is given in increasing doses to help confirm or rule out food/drug allergy when history and allergy testing do not give a clear result
Preparing for your visit
If you are coming for nasal/eye allergies or asthma, please stop all antihistamine medications one week prior to your office visit. Do not stop antihistamines if you are coming for hives, swelling, or are in doubt. Nasal sprays, inhalers and other medications are okay to continue to use. Please bring copies of your medical records, lab results, and referring doctor notes to the office visit.
If you have any questions about the treatments we offer or would like to schedule an appointment, please call
928-336-2434.