Allergies, asthma and immunology
Learn to control your allergies, asthma and immunodeficiency disorders with a personalized treatment plan that includes regular follow-up care and education.
Allergies, asthma and immunology
Allergic reactions happen when the immune system reacts to something that’s usually harmless. Asthma is a chronic breathing problem, which is caused by inflammation of the airways. Immunodeficiency disorders are caused when part of the body’s immune system is missing or functions improperly.
One in five people in the United States suffer from symptoms related to seasonal, food, medication, bee sting or other allergies. More than 26 million Americans are affected by asthma.
What you should know about allergies, asthma and immunodeficiency
- Asthma symptoms can include coughing, wheezing and chest tightness, and are often brought on by allergens, physical activity, cold weather and stress.
- Depending on the severity of your allergies, symptoms can be as mild as a runny nose, itchy eyes or more severe in the form of hives, swelling and life-threatening airway constrictions.
- Food allergies can present with potentially life-threatening allergic reactions or anaphylaxis upon exposure to allergic foods.
- Immunodeficiency diseases can lead to more frequent and serious infections, and increase the risk of autoimmune diseases and cancers.
Why choose Geisinger for your allergy and asthma care?
- We build strong relationships with our pediatric and adult allergy and asthma patients, providing the ongoing care and monitoring needed to live active lives.
- Allergies and asthma can change over time, therefore, we create a treatment plan that includes regular follow-up care and education tailored to meet any lifestyle.
- Allergy and Immunology specialists at Geisinger offer the most up-to-date testing and treatment options.
Treatment options for allergies and asthma conditions
Through the most advanced allergy testing tools available, our specialists can effectively manage:
- Asthma
- Environmental allergy symptoms (runny nose, itchy eyes, sneezing, etc.)
- Chronic sinusitis symptoms
- Medication allergies
- Food allergies
- Eosinophilic esophagitis
- Hives and angioedema (swelling)
- Severe allergic reactions or anaphylaxis
- Eczema
- Bee sting or venom allergies
- Contact dermatitis, or skin rash
- Immunodeficiency disorders
Services include:
- Testing for environmental allergies including pollen, molds, pet dander, dust mites and other allergens.
- Reviewing environmental modification, trigger prevention and medication options
- Allergen immunotherapy (allergy shots) for long-term treatment of allergies and asthma
- Asthma management including in-office spirometry evaluations and asthma action plans
- Testing for food allergies, food challenges and providing food allergy action plans
- Testing for medication allergies like penicillin testing
- Testing for bee sting/venom allergies and administering venom immunotherapy (shots)
- Administration of newer biologic medications for management of severe asthma, chronic hives and swelling (like Omalizumab, Mepolizumab), and severe eczema (Dupilumab)
- Evaluation and management of immunodeficiency diseases
- Patch testing for contact allergies
Treatment options for allergy and asthma conditions
Through the most advanced allergy testing tools available, Geisinger can effectively treat asthma, environmental allergies, medication allergies, hives and swelling, and bee sting allergies:
- Oral or topical medications, including antihistamines and steroids
- Environmental modification and trigger prevention
- Allergen immunotherapy and other therapies, for long-term treatment of common allergies and asthma
- Testing for food allergies and providing food allergy action plans
- Newer medications like Omalizumab (Xolair) for treatment of allergic asthma and hives
- Testing for medication allergies, including penicillin testing
- Testing for bee sting allergies and administering venom immunotherapy