Pediatric Allergist Chantilly VA

The allergists at Black & Kletz Allergy includes a board certified pediatric allergist Chantilly VA residents have admired for many years.  Black & Kletz Allergy has office locations in McLean, VA, Manassas, VA, and Washington, DC where patients of all ages are treated.

Our pediatric allergist Chantilly VA inhabitants trust specializes in the treatment of all allergic and immunological disorders in children.  Our pediatric allergist Chantilly VA residents respect received years of specialized training in the treatment of these disorders and has decades of experience evaluating and managing children of all ages and educating their parents in the proper home care of these children.

Some of the most common allergic conditions managed by our pediatric allergist Chantilly VA residents admire include allergic rhinitis (i.e., hay fever), asthma, hives i.e., (urticaria), soft tissue swellings (i.e., angioedema), generalized itching (i.e., pruritus), anaphylaxis, eczema (atopic dermatitis), stinging insect allergies, contact dermatitis, food allergies, and medication allergies.  In addition, immunologic disorders are also treated by our pediatric allergist Chantilly VA inhabitants trust.

Allergic disorders are caused by the malfunctioning of the immune system.  The primary function of the immune system is to protect individuals from infections and tumors.  However, sometimes it mistakes harmless substances such as pollens, dust mites, molds, pets, and certain foods as potentially harmful and mounts a defensive attack on them, causing allergic disorders.  The exact cause of this “mistaken identity” is not known, but genetic factors are believed to play a role, as these disorders tend to run in families.

When a child is exposed to the substances that he or she is sensitized, the immune system activates certain cells, which then release a variety of chemical mediators that are responsible for the symptoms experienced by patients.  These mediators include histamine, leukotrienes, prostaglandins, and other related substances.  The pediatric allergist Chantilly VA admires at Black & Kletz Allergy can test children in order to detect and identify the specific substances (i.e., dust mite, molds, pollens, cat, dog, foods, medications) that are causing the child’s sensitivities and allergies.  By avoiding one’s exposure to those specific allergens, one can minimize the frequency and severity of the untoward allergic reactions which in turn decreases or eliminates the allergic symptoms associated with these allergies.

When the avoidance of allergens is not feasible, the pediatric allergist Chantilly VA residents trust will prescribe medications to help relieve the bothersome symptoms that many find quite annoying.  These drugs may include antihistamines and/or anti-inflammatory agents.  First generation antihistamines such as Benadryl has a short duration of action and has a potential to cause drowsiness which may interfere with the child’s learning at school.  Second generation antihistamines are long acting (i.e., can be dosed once a day) and are generally non-sedating.  The pediatric allergist Chantilly VA residents respect will give the children and their families detailed information about various medication options.

Anti-inflammatory medications may include oral, inhaled, or topical agents.  Oral medications may include leukotriene modifiers such as Singulair (montelukast) and corticosteroids such as prednisone.  Singulair can be taken long term for control of asthma, seasonal allergies, and hives in children.  Prednisone, on the other hand, is rarely prescribed.  When absolutely necessary, prednisone is usually prescribed short-term only in view of the potential adverse effects of long-term usage.  Some of the potential side effects of prednisone may include weight gain, susceptibility to infections, cataracts, ulcers, bone problems, irritability, and glucose intolerance.  The pediatric allergist Chantilly VA residents trust prescribes short-term prednisone courses for the control of severe flare ups of asthma, hives, or acute contact dermatitis (e.g., poison ivy).

Anti-inflammatory drugs may be used as inhaled medications for long-term control of persistent asthma in children.  The goal of asthma treatment is to utilize the lowest possible dose of inhaled corticosteroids that is adequate in achieving and maintaining control of the persistent asthma.  The pediatric allergist Chantilly VA inhabitants respect will offer detailed information about the suitable doses of appropriate medication for sufficient control of your child’s asthma and will provide the necessary prescriptions.

Allergy shots (i.e., allergy injections, allergy immunotherapy, allergy desensitization, allergy hyposensitization) are a very effective alternative to medications.  They have been administered to children and adults in the U.S. for more than 100 years.  They are efficacious in 80-85% of the patients that take them.  The average course of allergy shots is usually 3-5 years.  They are of great success in treating allergies and asthma.

The board certified allergy doctors at Black & Kletz Allergy has 3 locations in the Washington, Northern Virginia, and Maryland metropolitan area.  We have offices near Chantilly, VA as they are in McLean, VA (Tysons Corner, VA), Manassas, VA, and Washington, DC.  All 3 of our offices have on-site parking and the Washington, DC and McLean, VA offices are Metro accessible.  The McLean office has a complementary shuttle that runs between our office and the Spring Hill metro station on the silver line.  The allergists of Black & Kletz Allergy diagnose and treat both pediatric and adult patients.  For an appointment, please call our office or alternatively, you can click Request an Appointment and we will respond within 24 hours by the next business day.  The allergists at Black & Kletz Allergy have been helping patients with hay fever, asthma, sinus disease, eczema, hives, insect sting allergies, immunological disorders, medication allergies, and food allergies for more than 50 years.  If you suffer from allergies, it is our goal to improve your quality of life by reducing or preventing your unwanted and infuriating allergy symptoms.