Overview
It is estimated that more than 50 million Americans suffer from allergies which can trigger an immune response, mild or severe, affecting one or many systems, including your sinuses, skin and digestion. Whether it’s an allergy to pollen, food, medication or an insect bite, making the correct diagnosis is critical. The physicians at Cleveland Clinic in Florida are dedicated to the diagnoses and treatment of allergy and immunological disorders such as asthma, eczema, chronic sinusitis, hives and food allergies. Cleveland Clinic Florida allergists provide comprehensive testing and evidence-based care focused on identifying the source of the allergy, symptom management and improving your quality of life.
Programs
Asthma Program
Cleveland Clinic Florida’s Department of Allergy and Immunology works to identify and treat patients with asthma, chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps, and allergic rhinitis.
Food Allergies
The Department of Allergy and Immunology at Cleveland Clinic Florida specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with food allergies.
What We Treat
Cleveland Clinic Florida allergists offer a full range of allergy diagnostic and therapeutic services for asthma, rhinitis, urticaria (hives), eczema, food allergies, insect sting allergies and medication allergies. Latest cutting-edge biological treatments for asthma and other allergic diseases.Asthma
Instead of simply focusing on the treatment of asthma symptoms, Cleveland Clinic Florida allergists search for and treat the root causes of airway inflammation. This not only decreases symptoms and improves quality of life, but can also prevent an irreversible decline in lung function. Patient education is a key element in an asthma management plan. Proper training not only restores patients’ sense of well-being but also allows them to pursue physical activities that they once avoided.
Eczema
Also known as dermatitis, this condition leads to patches of dry, itchy skin. It may result from a number of allergic causes. Accurate allergy evaluation of possible causes allows patients to avoid triggers.
Food Allergy
Careful evaluation helps patients identify food allergies and intolerances. Through the use of skin testing, laboratory evaluation and oral challenges, Cleveland Clinic Florida’s physicians are able to help patients accurately pinpoint the foods they should avoid.
Hives (Urticaria) and Swelling (Angioedema)
Urticaria is a common disorder. Most people will have one or more brief outbreak of urticaria in their lives. Chronic urticaria can last for months or years and is more than just a nuisance. The itchy, red, swollen areas of skin can be disfiguring. At Cleveland Clinic in Florida, allergists use the latest tests to find the root cause of the hives. Careful adjustment of medications and avoidance of triggers allows us to control hives without bothersome side effects.
Medication Allergy
Many suspected medication allergies are unfounded and lead to the needless use of alternative medications that may be more expensive or more toxic. To confirm a medication reaction, Cleveland Clinic Florida allergists take a careful history of symptoms and may conduct a skin test. Such tests often reveal that the medication can be taken safely. If the test is positive and the medication is absolutely necessary, desensitization can be attempted. While desensitization is considered a last resort, it can help the body learn to tolerate a drug, even if it has produced a life-threatening reaction.
Rhinitis (Hay Fever)
This disorder, also known as “hay fever” is often neglected when sneezing and runny nose are brushed off as unimportant. Patients who suffer from chronic rhinitis know that the congestion, headache and fatigue that accompany the sneezing and itching are often disabling, forcing them to be absent from school and work. South Florida residents with rhinitis usually suffer from the condition year around, due to the subtropical climate.
Sinusitis
Often unrecognized and undiagnosed, chronic sinusitis can cause persistent postnasal drip and cough year round. The condition usually arises as the result of untreated rhinitis, but sometimes can be due to an unrecognized immune deficiency. Left untreated, chronic sinusitis can aggravate asthma and rhinitis. Whether sinusitis is due to allergic or non-allergic causes, physicians try to treat or cure this disease by non-surgical means.
Immunodeficiency Disorders (except HIV/AIDS)
Immunodeficiency diseases can appear in children and adults. Recurring respiratory infections and other infections may be the first sign. A complete workup for the cause of recurrent infection can lead to the discovery of a treatable immunodeficiency. Physicians in Cleveland Clinic Florida’s Department of Infectious Diseases care for HIV and AIDS related patients.
Hay Fever
The Department of Allergy and Immunology at Cleveland Clinic Florida includes a multidisciplinary team of physicians who collaborate to treat allergic rhinitis (hay fever). Allergic rhinitis, commonly known as hay fever, can present symptoms such as eye itching, sneezing, stuffy and runny nose. Whenever a stuffy nose, dark circles under the eyes, or post-nasal drip persists for longer than three months, it has become chronic (long-term) rhinitis.
Allergic rhinitis affects 15% of the U.S. population (roughly 30 million people) based on physician diagnoses. It can even be as high as 30% based on self-reported nasal symptoms. It is the most common allergic disorder in the United States.
Diagnosis and treatment
Our team specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with hay fever, an allergic reaction of the upper respiratory system to a substance called an allergen. Allergens are small protein particles that cause an allergy. These reactions typically occur either seasonally or perennially.
In order to identify what allergens patients may be allergic to, we conduct skin tests to reveal which allergens are causing the allergy. The test is performed by pricking your skin with an extract of an allergen, and then checking the skin's reaction.
Once we have identified the allergen, we are able to provide treatment through two methods:
- Drug Therapies - antihistamines and topical nasal steroids.
- Immunotherapy (allergy shots) – recommended for patients that don’t respond well to medications.
Hives & Swelling
Cleveland Clinic Florida’s Department of Allergy and Immunology specializes in treating patients suffering from hives (urticaria) and swelling (angiodema) .
What are urticaria (hives) and angioedema (swelling)?
Urticaria (hives) come from a release of chemicals (histamine and others) from special skin cells (Mast cells). This can happen because of an allergic reaction, an infection, physical factors (cold, heat, pressure) and can often happen without an identifiable cause. Regardless of the cause, once released, histamine causes blood vessels to open up and leak fluid, leading to redness and swelling.
Urticaria can appear anywhere on the body in blotches as small as a dime and as large as a plate. These blotches sometimes join to form even larger areas.
Types of Urticaria
Acute urticaria are hives that have been occurring for fewer than six weeks and can be caused by allergies and other causes. Possible causes include foods, medications, insect stings, and infections.
Chronic urticaria and angioedema lasts more than six weeks and are usually not caused by allergies.
Diagnosis and treatment
We offer a broad range of treatment options to diagnose and manage urticaria and angiodema. Our physicians offer extensive evaluations and evidence-based diagnosis that includes skin and blood testing.
The recommended tests will depend upon a patient’s medical history and a thorough examination. Skin tests may be performed to determine the substance to which a patient is allergic. Blood tests are frequently done to rule out a systemic illness as the cause of the body’s release of histamine.
Medication Allergies
Cleveland Clinic Florida’s Department of Allergy and Immunology provides world-class care and treatment to patients with medication or drug allergies. Our multi-disciplinary team of physicians collaborate to offer extensive evaluations of allergic disorders in the form of medicine allergies.
What is a medication allergy?
Medication or drug allergies are allergic reactions that can range from mild to life-threatening reactions. A drug allergy is an immune reaction that can lead to a number of possible symptoms including rashes, hives, swelling and in severe cases, trouble breathing and collapsing.
We offer a broad range of treatment options for patients suffering from medication or drug allergies and utilize evidence-based diagnosis and testing.
The Department of Allergy and Immunology at Cleveland Clinic Florida treats a broad range of medication allergies including:
- Sulfa drugs.
- Anticonvulsants.
- Non-steroidal agents (like aspirin and ibuprofen).
- Contrast dye.
- Chemotherapy drugs.
Cleveland Clinic Florida physicians offer extensive evaluations and evidence-based diagnosis that includes skin and blood testing. Common symptoms for medication allergies vary from patient-to-patient and can include but are not limited to:
- Hives.
- Skin rash.
- Itchy skin or eyes.
- Congestion.
- Swelling in the mouth and throat.
More serious symptoms and reactions that a patient may experience are:
- Difficulty breathing.
- Blueness of the skin.
- Dizziness.
- Fainting.
- Drop in blood pressure.
Our Doctors
Appointments & Locations
Appointments
To schedule an appointment, please call 877.463.2010.
Locations
Virtual Visits
You can now stay connected to your healthcare team through virtual visits, using your smartphone, tablet or computer.
Why go virtual? It's an easy, convenient and secure way to see your provider face-to-face without having to leave home. This saves you travel time, parking fees and time spent in the waiting room — and you can also have a loved one or caregiver join you. If appropriate, you can also get a prescription sent to the pharmacy of your choice.
Many insurance companies cover the cost of virtual visits, so check with your insurance company ahead of time. Interested in getting started? Call your provider to find out what virtual visit options are available.
