Allergy & Immunology

At SSM Health, our allergy and immunology experts provide care for a range of conditions related to the immune system, including allergies and anaphylaxis, respiratory-tract conditions like asthma and sinusitis, and immune system deficiencies.

If you struggle with allergies, our team offers comprehensive diagnostic services, including allergy skin testing, to help you pinpoint the cause of your symptoms. From there, we'll work with you to create a plan focused on preventing and controlling those symptoms, so you can lead a full and active life.

What are allergies?

Allergies are caused by your body's overreaction to an allergen. When you breath in, touch or eat something you’re allergic to, your immune system reacts to get rid of the harmful thing you came in contact with.

You can be allergic to almost anything — like pollen, animals, medications and food. Some people have allergies that are annoying, like seasonal allergies. Others have to allergies that can be deadly, like people with severe peanut allergies. The most common reactions to allergens include asthma, anaphylaxis, sinusitis, rhinitis (hay fever), hives, and rashes.

Common types of allergies:

Our allergists approach to helping you control and manage your allergen sensitivities is developed on a case-by-case basis, depending on your symptoms. We take the time to determine all of the sensitivities you may have to:

• Animal dander
• Airborne allergens
• Bees and stinging insects
• Contact allergies
• Dust mites

• Foods
• Latex
• Medications including penicillin
• Pollens and molds

When should I see an allergist?

You should see an SSM Health allergist if your allergy symptoms don't get better over time, if you have a severe allergic reaction, or if your symptoms can't be controlled with over-the-counter medications. Allergists can help determine the root cause of your allergies and provide long-term solutions. If you are experiencing any of the following, it's time to make an appointment with an SSM Health allergist:

• Asthma, especially allergic asthma
• Allergies or hay fever
• Allergic reactions to insect stings
• Eczema
• Food allergies
• Immune deficiency syndromes like Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID)
• Sinus problems
• Wheezing, shortness of breath, or persistent coughing not caused by colds or viruses

Note: our allergy and immunology specialists cannot treat all skin and autoimmune disorders.

• Learn more about dermatology at SSM Health if you have skin reactions to irritants (contact dermatitis) or need patch testing.
• Learn more about rheumatology at SSM Health if you need treatment for Lupus, Grave’s disease, or other autoimmune diseases

Diagnosing your allergies through testing:

Getting to the root cause of your allergies is essential to finding relief. Along with your initial assessment, your SSM Health allergy and immunology specialist may perform skin or blood tests to figure out what exactly makes you sneeze or wheeze.

Types of allergen skin tests:

Skin tests are considered to be the most reliable and accurate method of testing. There are two types of tests you may undergo:

Percutaneous (prick, puncture or scratch) tests

A scratch test introduces a tiny amount of a suspected allergen on the patient’s back or forearm. Typically, multiple allergens are tested at once. If there is a sensitivity to the allergen, redness and swelling will appear at the site of contact.

Intracutaneous (intradermal) tests

Intradermal skin tests are used when the scratch test comes up inconclusive or when diagnosing an allergy to insect venom. During an intradermal test your provider will inject a tiny amount of a suspected allergen just beneath your skin's surface. If there is a sensitivity to the allergen, redness, swelling, or itching appear at the injection site.

For both types of skin tests patients receive results rather quickly, with positive reactions usually appearing within 15 to 20 minutes of the test.

What allergy test can I have if I can't have a skin test?

Blood tests involve drawing blood and sending the sample to a laboratory that analyzes the sample for the presence of antibodies to specific allergens. You may not receive blood test results for several days. Blood tests are typically used when:

• Your doctor advises against discontinuing medications that can interfere with skin test results or cause medical complications.
• A patient suffers from severe skin conditions such as widespread eczema or psoriasis.
• A patient has such a high sensitivity level to suspected allergens that any exposure could result in potentially serious side effects.

How are allergies treated?

Once a problem allergen has been diagnosed, your next step is to work with your SSM Health allergist on developing a treatment plan. Your unique care plan may include allergy shots, medication, avoidance techniques, or a combination of these.

How can I lessen my allergies?

While we understand it is difficult to avoid problem causing allergens entirely, there are a few things you can do to lessen the impact they may have.

• Change your furnace filter once per month
• Clean your living space once per week
• Select easy-to-clean home furnishings
• Use a portable, room-sized air purifier
• For seasonal allergies, begin taking antihistamines in anticipation of your seasonal symptoms

How to allergy shots work?

Allergy shots work by introducing small amounts of the substance you are allergic to, in gradually increasing amounts. Continued use of allergy shots improves the body’s natural resistance to the allergens and minimizes or eliminates the need for medications. Usually, allergy shots must be continued for several years, but in some cases they can be discontinued with long-term maintained immunity.

Ultimately, your treatment plan will be developed by you and your SSM Health allergy and immunology specialist. Schedule an appointment today and start working towards allergy relief.

What is asthma?

Asthma is a condition that can occur at any age. While the underlying cause is largely unknown, it does have a tendency to run in families.

What causes asthma?

Asthma occurs in several different ways. When the airways are inflamed the tissues swell and produce a thick mucus. Frequent, severe inflammation causes permanent thickening of the tissues that line the airways.

Asthma may also flare up when the muscles around the airways tighten. Inflamed airways often become overly sensitive to certain irritants and react by constricting and becoming more inflamed.

If any of these events occur you may experience:

• Wheezing
• Coughing

• Sensation of chest tightness
• Shortness of breath

What activates asthma symptoms?

Inflammation, mucus production and airway narrowing can start due to a variety of reasons:

• Viral infections
• Allergies
• Emotional upsets
• Chemical irritants such as smoking or smoke exposure
• Change in temperature or humidity
• Exercise
• Fatigue

How can my asthma be treated?

Your asthma management plan will be developed by you and your doctor but will likely include medication and avoiding those things that bother your airways.

Maintenance medications work to prevent asthma episodes and must be taken daily to ensure its effectiveness. Quick-relief medications are also an option when you’re experiencing unexpected symptoms or to prevent symptoms prior to exposure to an aggravator.

What happens if my asthma gets worse?

If your asthma becomes severe, further monitoring may be necessary. If you experience any of the following, make an appointment with your SSM Health provider to talk about next steps:

• Daytime symptoms occur more than two times per week
• Waking up in the middle of the night or early morning with symptoms more than twice a month
• Use of your quick-relief medication more than two times per week