Allergist Northern VA
Black & Kletz Allergy has an allergist northern VA resident’s trust on its staff for more than 30 years. The allergist northern VA of Black & Kletz Allergy has on its staff is board certified in allergy and clinical immunology with decades of experience in treating both allergic and immunological disorders. Some of the conditions treated and managed by the allergist northern VA inhabitants believe in are seasonal and year-round respiratory allergies caused by environmental and aeroallergens, food allergies, medication allergies, skin allergies, insect venom allergies, chemical sensitivities, asthma, eczema, and immunodeficiencies.
Aeroallergen or environmental allergen sensitivity leads to a condition commonly known as hay fever, which is technically called allergic rhinitis which can be seasonal or perennial in nature. Our allergist northern VA residents admire will identify the specific allergens that each patient is sensitized to by performing relevant allergy tests. The results will enable our allergist to recommend relevant environmental control measures which would minimize one’s exposure to the triggering agents and thus lessen the suffering of the affected individuals. Some of the mostly indoor allergens playing a role in causing hay fever symptoms may include dust mites, mold spores, animal dander, and cockroaches. Outdoor allergens may include pollens from trees, grasses, and weeds. Note that molds are both indoor and outdoor allergens.
Black & Kletz Allergy’s allergist northern VA resident’s trust is trained in performing and interpreting allergy skin and blood tests to accurately identify the triggers in an individual patient and diagnose the conditions based on a comprehensive history and physical examination complemented by allergy test results. Our allergist northern VA inhabitant’s respect is also experienced in providing the necessary education to patients and the most appropriate ways of managing their condition. The management options considered and offered to the patient by our allergist northern VA appreciate may include various medications as well as allergy desensitization. Medications may help to relieve allergy symptoms and make the patient more comfortable. Two examples of medications used in the treatment of allergies include antihistamines in order to help relieve itching, sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes, as well as nasal sprays which are used to help control nasal congestion, runny nose, and post nasal drip.
It should be noted that in general, medications only mask the symptoms of allergies and do not treat the underlying cause of allergic disorder. Our allergist northern VA inhabitant’s trust has special expertise in treatment modalities called immune therapies (i.e., immunotherapy) which alter the underlying mechanism of allergy and build up tolerance to the allergens, so that symptoms can be prevented instead of being masked. These desensitization therapies have been in use for more than 100 years. During the process of desensitization, the allergist northern VA residents admire identifies the relevant specific allergic antigens for an individual and makes a serum of these antigens which will be administered by injections under the skin at regular intervals with gradually increasing concentrations and volumes. This systematic exposure to the allergens helps the immune system develop tolerance to these allergens. This process is akin to vaccinations against infectious agents such as viruses and bacteria which effectively prevents serious diseases subsequently when natural exposure to these microbes occurs.
The process of desensitization can have 2 main side effects. The allergist northern VA resident’s respect is trained and experienced in detecting these adverse reactions very early and to treat them expeditiously. The more common side effects are local reactions at the site of injections in the form of local itching, redness, and/or a small to moderate sized local swelling. These reactions can begin after a few hours and can last a few days. They can be managed with the local application of ice, using an over-the-counter corticosteroid cream, and/or taking an anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen to help relieve any discomfort.
Very rarely, there can be a generalized or systemic reaction after an allergy injection which could be more dangerous. The allergist northern VA resident’s praise monitors patients after the injections very closely in order to detect it early. Black & Kletz Allergy’s allergist northern VA inhabitant’s respect has the special training and expertise needed to treat these adverse reactions and to arrest their progress, if they should happen to occur.
The board certified allergy specialists at Black & Kletz Allergy have 3 convenient locations with on-site parking located in Washington, DC, McLean, VA (Tysons Corner, VA), and Manassas, VA. The Washington, DC and McLean, VA offices are Metro accessible and we offer a free shuttle that runs between the McLean, VA office and the Spring Hill metro station on the silver line. The allergy doctors at Black & Kletz Allergy are extremely knowledgeable regarding allergies and other related conditions such as asthma, eczema, sinus problems, hives, swelling episodes, generalized itching, eosinophilic esophagitis, and immune disorders. We diagnose and treat both adult and pediatric patients. To schedule an appointment, please call any of our offices or you may alternatively click Request an Appointment and we will respond within 24 hours by the next business day. We have been servicing the Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland metropolitan area for more than 50 years and we look forward to providing you with comprehensive allergy care in a professional and cordial environment.