What is IgE?
IgE is the antibody associated with allergy.  When a foreign invader or substance is recognized by the immune system, antibodies are produced against specific substances, such as pollen. There are specialized classes of antibodies with different functions in the body. The IgE class is associated with allergic reactions. Pollen, for example, is inhaled and an immune process takes place in allergic individuals causing wheezing, sneezing, coughing, etc., depending on the location of the allergic reaction.

What is anti-IgE treatment?

Anti-IgE therapy is taken by injection and is primarily used to treat moderate-to-severe allergic asthma.  Anti-IgE therapy keeps the allergic reaction from taking place and potentially can treat all types of allergic reactions. 

The production of anti-IgE is high tech and costly to develop. 

What is the difference between allergy and asthma?
Asthma is frequently the result of an allergic reaction. Allergy involves the body releasing chemical mediators, like histamine, that cause reactions or symptoms when an individual is exposed to a substance(s) such as pollen, cat, or mold to which he or she is allergic. 

Various parts of the body can be affected by allergy (nose, skin, gut, etc.), including the lungs. Asthma involves sensitive airways which react to allergens (allergic reaction), as well as other conditions, such as exercise, infections, or weather changes. 

Airways in the lungs NARROW due to muscles tightening around the airways, swelling inside of airways, and producing extra mucus making it difficult to breathe. Allergy is the most common asthma trigger.

Sometimes, at school, I have trouble breathing when I run in PE. What should I do?
Exercise can trigger asthma in individuals with asthma or in some individuals who have allergy. It may be the only trigger for asthma.

Talk to your doctor about using a quick-relief inhaler like Proventil®, Ventolin®, or Maxair®, 15 minutes prior to strenuous activities. If this is not enough, adding Singulair® once a day for prevention can help. Also, taking a daily low-drowsy antihistamine like Zyrtec®, Clarinex®, or Allegra® during the seasons your allergies are worse might prevent allergy problems and consequently decrease asthma symptoms. 

If you do not have a specific diagnosis, an allergy evaluation or tests can pinpoint your specific problem and provide you with a plan that should enable you to play sports or participate in PE.

My doctor prescribed two inhalers for asthma – one for daily use and one to use when I have symptoms. Why should I use an inhaler when I am not having trouble breathing?
Asthma involves a chronic inflammatory process of the airways in the lungs. Airway inflammation (twitchy, irritated, and swollen airways) is present even when symptoms (cough, wheeze, or shortness of breath) are not present; it takes less of a trigger to cause symptoms when the airways are inflamed.

Consequently, asthma is treated with two kinds of medicines - "controller" medicine used daily and "quick-relief" medicine taken when symptoms occur. Your daily inhaler decreases airway inflammation making it less likely that you will have breakthrough symptoms. 

It is important that you treat airway inflammation daily reducing the need for quick-relief medicine. "Controller" medicines are usually taken once or twice daily and should be left at home; however, always carry your quick-relief inhaler in your purse or pocket.

I have hay fever from spring pollen and also have those same symptoms in the fall. What is the major pollen causing nasal symptoms and headaches in September?
Fall is primarily weed pollen season with grass pollen tapering off in late summer. Airborne molds also contribute to fall symptoms. The major fall pollen is ragweed which begins pollinating in North Carolina during August and peaks in September continuing to cause symptoms in October and the first part of November.

Ragweed has inconspicuous small pale yellow-to-greenish flowers (often confused with goldenrod which has bright yellow flowers) and is found in abundance on roadsides, fields, pastures, and in some cultivated yards or parks. Ragweed pollen is abundant, potent, lightweight - which makes it easily airborne, and is inhaled into the nose and deep into the lungs. 

It can cause the same allergic rhinitis (commonly called hay fever) symptoms in the eyes and nose triggered by spring pollens. Pollen-allergic asthma sufferers also can have increased symptoms from ragweed exposure.

What triggers asthma in infants and very young children?
Allergies and viral respiratory infections are the most common asthma triggers in infants and young children. Even though such asthma flares may be intermittent, they can be severe. 

The flu shot and pneumococcal vaccine are recommended for children as well as adults with persistent (recurring) asthma. 

Infants and children exposed to tobacco smoke are more likely to have bronchial infections than children not living with smokers. 


Allergy plays the major role in virtually all of childhood asthma. Allergies often start during infancy. Children can be evaluated by an allergist at any age, even as an infant, and skin tested as young as 6 months old in our office.

I have heard that nasal sprays are addictive. Is this true?
Over-the-counter (OTC) topical decongestant nasal sprays, such as Afrin®, cause what is known as rhinitis medicamentosa. These products open up nasal passages by reducing swelling and, in the beginning, give quick relief. However, they have to be used more frequently as the blood vessels in the nose gradually respond less to the medication. Chronic use worsens the swelling and congestion that one is treating. 

Consequently, use OTC decongestant nasal sprays only 3-5 days in a row to treat acute nasal stuffiness occurring with severe hay fever, the common cold, or sinusitis. 

Prescription nasal sprays work differently; they are NOT addictive. Prescription corticosteroid nasal sprays, like Flonase or Rhinocort Aqua, can break the cycle of symptoms caused by chronic use of OTC decongestant nasal sprays.

My doctor changed my nebulizer medicine from albuterol to Xopenex™.  What is the difference?
Xopenex™ is the same kind or class of medicine as albuterol and became available in spring 1999. It treats narrowing of the airways and comes as an inhalation solution for the nebulizer or aerosol treatment. 

Chemicals (molecules) can exist as two mirror images that are not superimposed on each other--such as your right and left hands. The two chemical images are referred to as isomers. However, often it is only one isomer that provides the desired effects and the other is either inactive (not needed) or sometimes even causes side effects.

Xopenex™ is an example of a drug in which the desired isomer has been purified. It is a single isomer version of albuterol commonly used by asthma sufferers for quick-relief.  

Xopenex™ is preservative-free and can be given in smaller doses than albuterol which may lessen shakiness or nervousness that some patients experience with albuterol. Xopenex™ can last longer than albuterol.

What are allergy shots and how do they work?
Allergen immunotherapy (allergy shots or vaccine) involves injecting small amounts of inhaled allergens or venoms. Allergy testing and careful history determine what each patient’s injection contains. 

Allergy shots work by vaccinating a person against specific inhaled allergens to which that person is allergic. Venom therapy for stinging insect allergy works in the same way. 

When a person is exposed to allergens by an injection (allergy shot), the body is tricked into responding to these specific allergens in a different way. Gradually increasing the amount and strength of allergen in the shots suppresses production of the allergy antibody, referred to as IgE. Allergy shots increase the production of blocking antibody (IgG) which helps prevent the allergen from attaching to mast cells. Mast cells explode and release the chemical mediators, such as histamine, that cause inflammation and allergy symptoms.

Who should get allergy shots and do they only help while one is taking them?
Candidates for allergy shots include individuals with allergic causes of nasal rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, allergic asthma, or skin conditions such as hives or eczema. In addition, patients who are allergic to stinging insect venom are also candidates for allergy shots directed against the venoms. 

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1999 found that individuals with grass-pollen allergies, who went through a complete course of immunotherapy or allergy shot treatment, were still benefiting three years after stopping shots. Allergen immunotherapy can have long-term, perhaps even permanent benefits. 

Most patients are on allergy shots for 3-5 years. Some patients may require shots longer and potentially for a lifetime. 

Allergy shots involve injecting small amounts of the allergen(s) to which a person is allergic. The concentration and amount of allergen is gradually increased and the patient’s tolerance for those particular allergens increases.

Does GERD worsen asthma?
Asthma is an inflammatory disease with multiple triggers. Studies show that the prevalence of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is more common in those with asthma than in the general population. 

Reflux disease may trigger asthma, coughing, sore throat, hoarseness, or laryngitis. GERD is sometimes missed as an asthma trigger when esophageal symptoms such as heartburn, regurgitation, or "hiatal hernia" are not present and the disease is "silent." 

While Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease is not an asthma trigger in all asthmatic individuals with GERD, antireflux therapy to reduce acid production may improve asthma in individuals whose reflux is associated with respiratory symptoms. 

Recent information indicates that a 3-month medication trial is needed to fully evaluate effectiveness. Common medicines used to treat GERD include Nexium,  Pepcid®, Prevacid®, Prilosec® or Protonix®. I

If necessary, twenty-four hour esophageal pH monitoring helps document silent disease. Surgery is recommended and helpful in some cases.

Do infections aggravate allergies?
Allergy and asthma involve inflammation, and infections can make the allergic process worse. Viral upper respiratory infections aggravate nasal allergies. Sinusitis, often associated with a bacterial infection, increases nasal symptoms and worsens asthma. While antibiotics do not help viral infections, they can help bacterial sinusitis. Asthma symptoms may not be controlled, even with medications, until sinusitis is treated properly. Sinus infections should be treated aggressively and long enough with antibiotics (often 3-6 weeks) to prevent recurrence. 

Take an influenza shot every year and the pneumonia vaccine (Pneumovax®) at least once. 

Decrease your chances of getting an infection by not sharing foods, drinks, and dishes; avoid contact with individuals who have a viral infection such as a cold or flu. Scientific studies show viral infections are transmitted through coughing and sneezing, hand shaking, and by touching door knobs, telephones, and other objects used by an infected person. Hand washing significantly decreases your exposure. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and face with unwashed hands.

Are allergies just annoying or can they be a health threat?
More than 50 million Americans suffer from allergic diseases which commonly include rhinitis, sinusitis, dermatitis, asthma, and food allergy. 

Note that over-the-counter antihistamines can be dangerous to take when involved in activities requiring quick reaction time and coordination such as required by certain occupations or while driving. Decreased reaction time can occur even in individuals who do not feel drowsy. 

While itching, coughing, sneezing, watery eyes, etc., certainly are annoying, allergic symptoms can be debilitating and even life-threatening. Skin testing and an allergy evaluation allows for treatment which, in most cases, prevents allergies from becoming a debilitating illness. 

Anaphylaxis, which involves symptoms including low blood pressure and fainting, is a life-threatening allergic reaction. Individuals can be so allergic to an insect sting, medication, food, or inhalant that life-threatening reactions occur. 

Asthmatic individuals may develop severe symptoms during any one episode and chronically uncontrolled asthma puts one at increased risk for life-threatening symptoms. North Carolina had 138 residents die from asthma in 2001.

I am on an inhaled steroid and a "quick relief" medicine. Since inhaled steroids do not relieve symptoms right away, why are they prescribed?
Persistent asthma involves inflammation which causes swelling and narrowing of the air passages in the lungs. Long-term control of persistent asthma, even in mild cases, requires anti-inflammatory treatment. 

Corticosteroids are the most potent anti-inflammatory medicines available and inhaled corticosteroids have far less side effects than do the oral forms. Even though patients do not feel immediate relief after taking inhaled corticosteroids, these medicines improve asthma over time, decreasing the need for "fast-acting" medicines. Studies show that patients have more symptom-free days, that nighttime asthma is under better control, there are fewer urgent care visits, and a lower rate of hospitalizations and death from asthma in patients that take inhaled corticosteroids. Guidelines recommend inhaled corticosteroids as one of the first choices for long-term maintenance of persistent asthma, even in mild cases. 

Anti-leukotrienes (not a steroid), like Singulair tablets, also appear to decrease inflammation and may be another choice.

Does running a humidifier help allergy symptoms?
Yes, however, humidifiers potentially cause problems for some allergy sufferers. Increasing humidity makes indoor conditions favorable for house-dust mites and mold spores. Additionally, if humidifiers are not cleaned thoroughly and daily, they can aerosolize mold spores.

Nasal, sinus, throat, chest, and skin symptoms can be aggravated by very dry air. We recommend a cool mist vaporizer. Fill the tank of the vaporizer with hot tap water or distilled water; use only distilled water in ultrasonic humidifiers. Place the device in a safe location to avoid risk of spilling the hot water; please, direct the mist so that furniture or carpeting will not be soaked. Pour out the remaining water in the morning and let the device air dry during the day. Refill with hot tap water each night. Only use the device in the bedroom at night when the heat is on.

I use to take albuterol infrequently, but in the last few weeks need it several times a day. What can I do to get back to my old dosing routine?
When you need an inhaled fast-acting medicine, such as albuterol, more and more frequently, it is an alert that your asthma is not under good control. Talk to your doctor about starting or increasing a "controller medicine" and identify your asthma triggers. 

Albuterol is a bronchodilator and relieves symptoms by relaxing smooth muscle around the airways in the lungs. It does not decrease airway inflammation which makes your bronchial tubes more sensitive to allergens and other triggers. Taking an inhaled steroid, such as Flovent® or Pulmicort® and/or a leukotriene modifier, such as Singulair®, decreases inflammation. An oral steroid, such as prednisone, may be needed on a short-term basis to get your asthma under control. 

Asthma medicines become less effective when infections, such as sinusitis, are present. Low-level, chronic indoor allergen exposure to pets, molds, dust, etc, or exposure to irritants such as tobacco or wood smoke, makes asthma harder to control.

Can I get allergy shots for food allergies and do food allergies disappear with time?
The only proven therapy for food allergy is avoidance of the offending food(s). While some research has been done in using allergy shots for peanut allergy, shots are not generally available to treat food allergy. 

Symptoms caused by food allergy can sometimes disappear over time; however, allergy to peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish typically last for a lifetime. 

Oral antihistamines are used to treat less severe reactions such as localized skin or gastrointestinal symptoms. Epinephrine (Adrenalin) injections are necessary, and can be life saving, to treat severe food reactions. 

Epinephrine kits can be prescribed with preloaded syringes or automatic injectors which patients use for self-injection. Always go to the emergency room following use, even if you improve.

I have chronic hives but no allergies have been identified. Are hives always caused by allergy?
No. Urticaria is the medical term for hives which are red whelps and itchy areas of the skin that are swollen. Urticaria is often associated with swelling of the lips, tongue, hands, or feet. They can appear on any location of the body and come in a variety of sizes. Acute hives last from hours to days, while chronic hives last for over 6 weeks. 

There are a number of possible allergic triggers including foods, medications, latex, and occasionally other inhalants. 

Over-the-counter aspirin (Bayer®) or aspirin-like products such as Motrin®, Aleve®, Advil®, etc.,) can cause or make hives worse. 

All hives are not caused by allergy. Non-allergic causes of hives include infections, other chronic medical conditions (for example, lupus, some cancers, thyroid disease), or exercise. 

Physical hives can be caused by exposure to heat, cold, friction or pressure applied to the skin, or water. Skin testing can often identify the cause.

Is contact dermatitis caused by allergy?
Yes. Poison ivy is the most common contact dermatitis. It is a Type III allergy response which is responsible for cases which are usually itchy, red, and sometimes form blisters; these symptoms can occur even 24 to 48 hours after contact. 

Irritant dermatitis is caused by irritation which may burn rather than itch and may start immediately after contact. The most frequent location of contact dermatitis is on the hands. 

Allergens that cause contact dermatitis include soaps, fragrances, nickel, dyes, latex (rubber), topical medications, any type of cosmetic, chemicals at home or in workplace, certain fabrics or dyes, etc. 

Identification of allergens that trigger rash along with avoidance is the best treatment. Keeping the skin soothed and avoiding other harsh substances until the skin is clear is the mainstay of treatment when irritants trigger contact dermatitis. 

"Patch" tests are painless and can help identify allergens. We offer allergy shots for poison ivy sensitive persons.

Is it important to treat symptoms of common illnesses such as hay fever or itchy eye symptoms?
Yes. The medical name for hay fever is allergic rhinitis; itchy and red eye symptoms are referred to as conjunctivitis. Itis at the end of each medical term means inflammation. Allergy involves an inflammatory process and should be prevented or treated.

Keeping the upper airway open and normal is an important part of keeping the entire respiratory system functioning properly. The nose filters, warms, and humidifies the air going into the airways in the lungs. 

Complications of rhinitis also include otitis media or ear problems and sinusitis. Sinuses drain into the nose so keeping the nasal passages open decreases the risk of sinusitis.  Additionally, allergic rhinitis and /or conjunctivitis impact your quality of life. Both can reduce the quality of sleep at night and the ability to function during the day.

I was stung on the arm by a yellow jacket and had redness and swelling around the area. Am I allergic to yellow jackets?
Your description sounds like a normal local reaction to the venomous toxins released into the body by the insect at the time of the sting. A localized reaction of pain, swelling, and redness lasting for hours can follow a sting. 

Stinging insect "allergy" is an immune response which causes a systemic (whole body) reaction. Swelling extending over a large area of the body or systemic symptoms such as itching, hives, shortness of breath, loss of blood pressure, fainting, or anaphylaxis often associated with a feeling of impending doom all indicate a systemic allergic reaction to the insect sting that can be life-threatening. 

An allergist should evaluate (skin test), establish a management plan (including self-injectable Adrenalin®, which can be life-saving), and provide desensitizing treatment (allergy shots) for any individual having even a mild systemic allergic reaction to an insect sting. A mild systemic allergic reaction can become life-threatening on subsequent stings.

My child has frequent "colds" and the pediatrician has recommended allergy testing. What are these tests and what is involved?
Allergy testing is best done through skin testing. A skin test involves applying tiny drops of allergens to the back or forearm and pressing the skin with an instrument to ensure a tiny amount of each substance can react with the skin. Skin testing is not the same as getting a shot, but they are uncomfortable. After a 15-minute wait an itchy "mosquito bite" or small hive where the allergen was applied is a positive skin test; each reaction is measured and recorded. 

A screening blood test, referred to as RAST (radioallergosorbent test), can be used when preferred or if the child has a skin disorder or is on medication preventing skin testing. Blood is taken from a vein in the arm and analyzed to see if the blood contains abnormally high levels of antibody to certain allergens. Unfortunately, the RAST is less sensitive than the skin test. 

The benefit of skin testing is to confirm a diagnosis of allergy and pinpoint specific allergens causing symptoms.

Can allergy cause sinusitis?
Yes, the most common cause is allergy. If you are an allergic individual, your immune system mistakes common substances such as pollen, pet dander, or dust mites as harmful and fights back resulting in symptoms such as a stuffy nose, drainage, and sinus pressure. 

Normally, sinuses drain into your nose through small openings called ostia; nasal congestion and mucus block the openings. 

Allergy affects the cilia, microscopic finger-like projections forming the mucosal layers inside the sinuses, which sweep or beat mucus and debris into the nose and toward the throat. When this sweeping-like motion is impaired, sinus drainage is poor. 

Bacteria can multiply and cause infection; in addition, swelling due to infection makes it even harder for sinuses to drain and a cycle of congestion and infection occurs.

Do you have any self-help tips to deal with chronic sinusitis?
Evaluation by an allergist or ENT physician to diagnose the cause for the chronic problem can be your best long-term solution. Underlying causes can include allergy, structural defects or, rarely, an immunodeficiency all of which are treated differently. 

Additionally, you may need a different antibiotic or to stay on it longer. If allergy is the problem, avoidance of known triggers decreases nasal congestion which leads to poor drainage of the sinuses. 

Self-help ideas

Avoid smoke, a potent irritant to the sinuses, and exposure to upper respiratory infections, including the common cold. 

When you are having an acute flare of sinusitis, avoid airplane travel and bending over with your head down as either can increase sinus pain. 

Apply warm facial packs or inhale steam. 

Drink plenty of liquids to help dilute nasal secretions. 

Humidification in the bedroom at night, when the heat is on, or an over-the-counter topical nasal moisturizer decreases drying and further irritation.

Occasional use of an over-the-counter decongestant nasal spray, such as Afrin®, gives temporary relief but will worsen the condition if used more than a few days in a row.

Over-the-counter medicines sometimes contain antihistamine, decongestant or both. What is the difference and are both needed?

Antihistamines and decongestants are different classes of drugs and treat different symptoms. 

Antihistamines block the action of histamine, a potent chemical or mediator causing allergic reactions. If you are sneezing, have nasal itching, runny nose, itchy and watery eyes, or itchy throat and palate an antihistamine is needed. It is much more effective if taken prior to exposure. 

Decongestants reduce congestion or swelling in nasal membranes and relieve nasal stuffiness. 

A combination medicine containing an antihistamine and decongestant is chosen for times you are having a combination of symptoms. 

We recommend that most allergy patients stay on a non-sedating antihistamine during their allergy seasons or year-round and add a decongestant as needed. Non- or low-sedating antihistamines that are that available only by prescription include Clarinex®, Allegra®, and Zyrtec®.  Claritin® products are available over-the-counter.

How does pollen trigger allergy symptoms or hay fever?
People with "hay fever" react to one or more specific allergens such as pollen or mold. A number of weed, tree, or grass pollens can cause "hay fever", depending on your specific allergies. Pollen in the air is inhaled and pollen grains land on the lining of the nose or bronchial tubes in the lungs. This does not cause a problem for most people. 

In allergic individuals,

mediators such as histamine, leukotrienes, and other chemicals are released.
inflammatory cells (such as eosinophils) are recruited to the site and produce a number of mediators of chronic inflammation. 

The inflamed linings of your nose, sinuses, and eyes result in runny nose, irritated throat, nasal congestion, sneezing, and watery eyes. Symptoms often intensify several times a day during pollen season. Symptoms can disturb sleep and trigger asthma, headaches, recurrent sinusitis, recurrent sore throats, fatigue and irritability.

I have itching inside my mouth when I eat certain foods. Is this a food allergy?
You may have "oral allergy syndrome" which is a form of contact urticaria (hives). Fresh (usually not cooked) fruits and vegetables cause itching of lips, tongue, palate, and throat. The syndrome is associated with pollen allergy and symptoms may only occur at certain times of year during a pollen season. 

For example, potato, carrot, celery, apple, and hazelnut are associated with birch pollen. Melons and bananas are associated with ragweed pollen. 

The symptoms resolve rapidly and are not to be confused with serious systemic food reactions that include 

swelling of the lips and tongue called angioedema which require immediate treatment. 

Danger signs of a food reaction needing immediate treatment can include 

difficulty breathing and swallowing, voice loss or changes, hives, or anaphylactic shock.

 

What plants cause spring and summer hay fever symptoms?
Tree and grass pollens cause spring seasonal allergic rhinitis or hay fever or "cold-like" symptoms. Beech, Birch, Elm, Hickory or Pecan, Maple, Oak, Pine, and Poplar are some of the local tree pollens. Bermuda, Johnson, Meadow Fescue, Sweet Vernal, and other grasses pollinate in our area. 

While gardeners appreciate plentiful rain and snowfall during the winter and early spring, it may increase the suffering of pollen-allergic individuals. 

The intensity of the pollen season is related to the amount of moisture retained in the soil. Early tree growth (and its pollen release) combined with variable weather set the stage for a bad spring allergy season. 

All symptoms from outdoor exposure are not necessarily caused by pollen alone. For example, warm weather encourages mold growth, while a cold snap or drop in barometric pressure causes molds to release spores. Dry windy days raise pollen counts. Rain reduces pollen counts but only temporarily. When dry windy days follow rain, mold spores are in the air with pollen and you inhale both.

I only have nasal and eye symptoms in mid-to-late spring. Is it normal for pollen to irritate the nose or do I have an allergy?
Pollen is the tiny powdery granules given off by plants. Specifically, pollen is the male element in the fertilization of seed plants. While not harmful to those not allergic, it can make pollen-allergic individuals miserable. 

There is a "priming effect" associated with pollen which means that symptoms may worsen as the season progresses. You may be allergic to certain plants that pollinate in mid-to-late spring and, therefore, are not symptomatic in early spring. 

Antihistamine taken prior to outdoor exposure is helpful for mild symptoms. If your symptoms interfere with sleep or daily functioning, prescription low-sedating antihistamine (Clarinex, Allegra, or Zyrtec) begun several weeks prior to and continued during "your allergy season" can reduce symptoms.

Does my asthma medicine need to be adjusted for surgery?
Make your surgeon aware of your asthma and all medications you are taking. Your lung function and medication use should be evaluated prior to surgery. 

In addition to your usual asthma medications, a short course of oral corticosteroids may be started a few days before surgery to improve lung function or give you extra coverage during surgery. If you have taken oral corticosteroids in the last six months, your doctor may also prescribe intravenous hydrocortisone during and shortly after your surgery.

What is allergy and can it develop at any age?

Allergy means "to change" and react to allergens that were previously tolerated. 

Allergy is a reaction of the immune system to a foreign substance which is harmless. The immune system defends against attackers which are recognized as "nonself" or "foreign" and is protective when it responds to "foreign" invaders such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. However, when the immune system responds to a harmless foreign invader such as house dust or pollen, it is responding to a false alarm. 

Becoming allergic can occur after a few exposures or after months to years of exposure. The capacity to become allergic is inherited, but family members are not necessarily allergic to the same allergens. 

Once the "change" or allergy develops, it will continue. Allergy can develop at any age.

Contacting us

Please CALL our office (828-322-1275 or 1-800-432-5015) if you or your child is a patient at Hickory Allergy & Asthma Clinic, and 
1.  you have a question about your medical care.
2.  you are reporting or asking about symptoms. 
3.  you have a question about your medicines or need a refill. 
4.  you have a question about your account.
5.  you wish to schedule, reschedule or cancel an appointment.

For problems or questions regarding this web site contact [Email].

If you have a general allergy or asthma related question, address that to haac@wheezy.com.  We answer e-mailed questions periodically, but not necessarily daily.  

Date last updated:  July 14, 2008
Copyright 1999-2008