Immunology (Allergy & Asthma)

Sneezing, coughing and wheezing? If it is not a respiratory illness, you may be dealing with allergies or asthma.

Find out more about our allergy and asthma services:

• Conditions and consultations
• Diagnosis and treatments
• Allergy & Asthma specialists
• Referrals
• FAQ
• Allergy & Asthma locations near you
• Allergy & Asthma specialists near you

Conditions and consultations

Our allergists and specialists provide consultations and a personalized treatment plan.

Conditions we treat include:

• Allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
• Allergies to stinging insects (bees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets)
• Asthma
• Atopic dermatitis (eczema)
• Chronic sinusitis
• Drug allergies (penicillin testing)
• Food allergies
• Hives (urticaria)
• Immunodeficiencies
• Indoor and seasonal allergies
• Sinus infections

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Diagnosis and treatments

Our allergists and asthma experts offer:

Allergy management

After diagnosing your allergy, the team will suggest a treatment to help you manage and reduce symptoms. This could include antihistamines, decongestants and nasal corticosteroids.

Asthma management

Your provider will help determine if you need an asthma reliever or controller for everyday prevention. Relievers — also called rescue inhalers or bronchodilators — temporarily relieve symptoms. Controllers are anti-inflammatory medications that prevent or heal bronchiole inflammation. You may also need a quick-relief medicine to help stop asthma symptoms.

Allergy shots

Allergy shots can help control asthma, relieve allergy and sinus symptoms, and reduce your need for medicines in the future. In children, allergy shots are beneficial as they can reduce the risk of becoming more allergic or developing asthma later in life.

Allergy shots are one of the best treatments available for allergies and asthma. It is one of the few disease-modifying therapies available in medicine and targets the underlying cause of various allergic conditions.

Drug challenge

During a drug challenge, you take two to three step-up doses of the medication to determine tolerance. This treatment is for those who think they have a medication allergy, but the allergist thinks there is a minimal risk for reaction.

Drug desensitization

During drug desensitization, you take the drug in increasing amounts over time until you can tolerate the needed dose with minimal side effects. Desensitization only helps those taking the medicine every day. Once stopped — for example, when a chemotherapy cycle ends — you need to go through the desensitization process again to take another course of the medication.

Food challenge

With an oral food challenge, you eat small amounts of food over a few hours to determine if a reaction occurs. There is a risk of a severe reaction, so it is performed under medical supervision and in a facility with emergency medication and equipment on hand.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is the medical term for allergy shots, an effective treatment to help decrease your reaction to a known allergen and build immunity. Allergy shots can be used for food, seasonal and stinging insect (bees) allergies.

Peak flow

A peak flow meter is a simple device that measures how hard you can breathe out. Lower than usual peak flow readings are a sign that your lungs may not be working well and that your asthma may worsen.

Penicillin testing

A past reaction to penicillin and related drugs, such as amoxicillin, does not automatically mean you have a penicillin allergy. It is important to formally determine your allergy to the medication so you do not have to avoid this basic antibiotic. Using basic antibiotics like penicillin for common infections allows providers to reserve stronger antibiotics for future, more complicated infections. This practice reduces the risk of antibiotic resistance.

Skin testing

With an allergy, your body reacts to a particular substance — called an allergen — that should typically not be bothersome. To determine which substances trigger your symptoms, allergist-immunologists inject tiny amounts of commonly troublesome allergens. This testing is generally safe, effective and the gold standard for allergy diagnosis.

Spirometry

This test estimates the narrowing of your bronchial tubes by checking how much air you can exhale after a deep breath and how fast you can breathe out. It is used to help diagnose asthma.

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Allergy & Asthma specialists

The team of physicians, advanced practice providers and nurses strive to help you control your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Additional care and therapies may be provided by:

• Laboratory

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Referrals

Referrals are not required. Call the appointment number of your preferred Allergy & Asthma (Immunology) location to learn more.

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FAQ

What is the difference between asthma and allergies?

Asthma is a chronic lung condition that affects the airways in the lungs. The airways can become inflamed and narrowed at times, making it harder for air to flow out of your airways when you breathe. Certain things can bring on or worsen asthma symptoms, including allergens, such as pollen or animal dander; irritants, such as cold air or smoke; and infections, such as influenza.

An allergy is the body's immune response to a substance in the environment that typically is harmless to most people. The immune system produces antibodies that identify the particular allergen as harmful, even though it isn't, which can cause reactions ranging from minor irritation to severe allergic reactions.

What should I bring for my first appointment?

For your first appointment, bring your current prescription information or medical records from non-Mayo Clinic Health System facilities. Complete a medical records release form to authorize the transfer of health records from another healthcare facility to us. Visit our Medical Record Forms page for this form and other forms in multiple languages.

How do I prepare for my skin testing appointment?

Stop taking antihistamines or similar medications 24 to 48 hours before skin testing. Check all medications you are taking — prescription and nonprescription — to see if they contain antihistamines. You can continue to take asthma medications; antibiotics; oral steroids, such as prednisone; and nasal sprays, except for Astelin/Astepro or Patanase.

How do I prepare for immunotherapy?

You may be asked to take specific over-the-counter medications before your allergy shots to reduce your reaction. Be sure to bring your EpiPen if you have one.

How do I prepare for a food challenge?

Stop taking antihistamines before your challenge appointment, as directed by your provider. Be sure to bring your EpiPen if you have one.

What are my payment options, and do you offer financial assistance?

Visit the billing page of your preferred location for information on insurance, billing and payments.

We serve patients in difficult financial circumstances and offer financial assistance to those who have an established need to receive medically necessary services. Learn more about financial assistance options.

Can you provide a second opinion?

Yes — call the appointment number at your preferred Allergy & Asthma location. See What should I expect during my first appointment? for tips on how to prepare.

Do you have an after-hours number in case of emergency?

Always call 911 in case of emergency. For after-hours help with other issues, review our convenient care options.

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Explore locations or providers near you for details on allergy and asthma treatment: