Allergy Doctor Washington DC

Allergy Doctor Washington DC

Allergic rhinitis (i.e., hay fever), allergic conjunctivitis (i.e., eye allergies), asthma, and hives (i.e., urticaria) are some of the most common conditions treated by an allergy doctor in Washington DC.

An allergy doctor Washington DC residents trust work at Black & Kletz Allergy.  The allergist is an expert with specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, asthma, and hives.  The allergy doctors Washington DC locals have confidence in have had more than 50 years’ experience at Black & Kletz Allergy in treating both allergic and nonallergic rhinitis.

Allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis are caused by an allergic reaction against allergens in our environment.  Exposure to these allergens, of which an individual has been previously sensitized to, is the catalyst to the allergic reaction in patients with allergic rhinitis.  The most common allergens may be found either indoors or outdoors and usually include dust mites, molds, pollens, pets, and cockroaches.  Nonallergic agents (i.e., irritants) may include smoke, strong scents, chemical sprays, diesel fumes, organic dusts, and air pollution. These irritants do not cause an allergic reaction, however, the symptoms are very similar, if not identical to individuals with allergic rhinitis.  Irritants affecting the nose cause a condition called nonallergic rhinitis or vasomotor rhinitis.  Symptoms for allergic rhinitis, nonallergic rhinitis, and allergic conjunctivitis may include sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, post-nasal drip, watery eyes, red eyes, and fatigue.

An allergy doctor Washington DC trusts will generally test patients for allergies with the allergy symptoms in order to identify the specific triggers of their allergic rhinitis.  The allergy doctor Washington DC depends on may prescribe various medications in order to help alleviate the symptoms in affected allergic individuals.  An allergy doctor Washington DC counts on from Black & Kletz Allergy may also place people with allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, and/or asthma on allergy injections (i.e., allergy shots, allergy immunotherapy, allergy hyposensitization) in order to minimize or eliminate their undesirable symptoms.

Asthma is another condition that an allergy doctor Washington DC trusts who works at Black & Kletz Allergy has expertise in treating.  The allergy doctors Washington DC depends on at Black & Kletz Allergy have more than 5 decades of training and experience in treating both allergic and nonallergic asthma.  Both outside and inside allergens play a significant role in provoking allergic asthma.  Exposure to non-specific irritants such as smoke, strong scents, air pollution, strong chemicals, and diesel fumes may also trigger or exacerbate asthma.  As a result, the amount of emergency room visits and hospitalizations generally may increase.  The most common symptoms of asthma may include shortness of breath, coughing, chest tightness, and wheezing.  As mentioned before, a handful of patients may end up in emergency rooms and others may need hospitalizations for treatment of their severe asthma.  An allergy doctor Washington DC counts on can help identify the exacerbating factors of asthma, alleviate the symptoms of asthma, and help prevent emergency room visits and hospitalizations by proper asthma management.

In addition to allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, and asthma, an allergy doctor Washington DC trusts also treats hives.  Hives are defined as itchy red raised welts of various sizes and shapes.  Hives can occur anywhere on the body.  They generally last from hours to a few days and can be very annoying for the patient.  They may interfere normal activities and they also may affect a person’s sleep.  Hives may be caused by infections, food allergies, medication allergies, thyroid abnormalities, liver disease, and connective tissue disorders, to name a few.

Upon evaluation of an individual with hives, an allergy doctor Washington DC trusts takes a complete history and physical examination in order to try to identify the possible etiology of the hives.  An allergy doctor Washington DC depends on may also order laboratory tests which could aid in the diagnosis, particularly if the hives have been present for more than 6 weeks. Even after an extensive workup, it is very common for the cause of the hives to remain a mystery.  The term “idiopathic” is used when there is no identifiable cause and the hives are then called chronic idiopathic urticaria.  An allergy doctor Washington DC trusts at Black & Kletz Allergy has special training in the diagnosis and treatment of hives and even when the cause cannot be identified, the allergy doctor Washington DC counts on can usually provide great relief from symptoms by prescribing certain medications and/or injections.

The board certified allergy specialists at Black & Kletz Allergy have been diagnosing and treating allergies, asthma, and hives for many decades in the Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland metropolitan area.  We have office locations in Washington, DC, McLean, VA (Tysons Corner, VA), and Manassas, VA.  Our Washington, DC and McLean, VA offices are Metro accessible and there is 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 about the most current treatment options for patients with allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, asthma, and hives and can promptly answer any of your questions.  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 greater Washington, DC area for more than 50 years and we look forward to providing you with outstanding allergy and asthma care in a welcoming and pleasing environment.