Washington DC Allergist
Hay fever and asthma are the most common conditions treated by a Washington DC allergist.
‘Hay fever’ is a colloquial term used to describe symptoms caused by allergic rhinitis (i.e., inflammation of the tissues inside the nostrils). A Washington DC allergist is an expert physician with special training in diagnosis and treatment of allergic rhinitis. The Washington DC allergist treating patients in Black & Kletz Allergy has many years of experience in treating allergic and non-allergic rhinitis and many other allergy- related conditions.
Allergic rhinitis is caused by the sensitization of our immune system to allergens in the environment. Exposure to these agents previously sensitized to, is the actual trigger for symptoms. Allergens may include indoor agents such as dust mites, mold spores, and animal dander and outdoor agents such as pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds. Similar to allergens, irritants may cause the same nasal and ocular symptoms in susceptible individuals. Unlike allergens, however, the name of the condition is called nonallergic rhinitis or vasomotor rhinitis rather than allergic rhinitis. Some common nonallergic irritants may include smoke, chemical sprays, strong odors, exhaust fumes, air pollution, and other pollutants.
A Washington DC allergist can test individuals with allergic symptoms to identify their specific triggers. A Washington DC allergist may prescribe a variety of medications including oral antihistamines, nasal sprays, and eye drops in order to help relieve the bothersome symptoms of allergies and improve the quality of life for allergy sufferers. A Washington DC allergist at Black & Kletz Allergy can also desensitize people to allergens using allergy shots (i.e., allergy injections, allergy immunotherapy, allergy hyposensitization) so that their symptoms and/or medication need can be minimized or eliminated.
Asthma is another condition that a Washington DC allergist working at Black & Kletz Allergy has expertise in treating. A Washington DC allergist at Black & Kletz Allergy has many years of training and experience in treating both allergic and non-allergic asthma.
Both indoor and outdoor allergens play a role in aggravating allergic asthma. Exposure to non-specific irritants such as smoke and strong chemicals can also trigger asthma flare-ups and result in emergency room visits. Coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing are some of the common symptoms of asthma. Several patients end up in emergency departments of hospitals and many others need hospitalizations for management of severe asthma. A Washington DC allergist can help in identifying the triggers, minimizing the symptoms, and preventing emergency room visits and hospitalizations by prescribing medications, administering allergy shots, and/or providing an individualized asthma treatment plan.
A Washington DC allergist also treats hives (i.e., urticaria). Hives are itchy red blotches and welts of various shapes and sizes which may occur anywhere on the body. They episodes of hives may can last from hours to years and may be very frustrating for the individual. They may interfere with day-to-day activities and also affect one’s sleep at night. Hives may be caused by allergies to foods or medications, and they can be triggered by infections. Many underlying illnesses (e.g., thyroid disease, liver disease, connective tissue diseases) may be the primary cause of an individual’s hives. It is important that people with hives see a Washington DC allergist in order to rule out these types of underlying conditions in addition to getting the treatment that is needed to control or eliminate their bothersome hives.
A Washington DC allergist at Black & Kletz Allergy takes a comprehensive history in order to identify the possible cause(s) of hives. History taking is supplemented by a thorough physical examination. A Washington DC allergist also may order laboratory tests which can aid in the diagnosis. The cause can remain unidentifiable (i.e., idiopathic) in a majority of instances. A Washington DC allergist at Black & Kletz Allergy has special training and long-term experience in identifying the possible cause(s) of hives. Even when the cause cannot be identified, a Washington DC allergist can provide relief from symptoms by prescribing the correct medications.
The board certified allergists at Black & Kletz Allergy have over 50 years of experience in diagnosing and treating all types of allergic conditions. We treat both pediatric and adult patients. Black & Kletz Allergy has 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. To schedule an appointment, please call any of our offices or you may click Request an Appointment and we will respond within 24 hours by the next business day. We have been servicing the Washington, DC metropolitan area for many years and we look forward to providing you with excellent allergy care in a warm and pleasant environment.