Center for Allergy and Immunology

Disorders we routinely see include hay fever, hives, food and drug allergies, contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, immune deficiencies, chronic sinusitis and nasal polyposis. There are specific procedures that identify each of these disorders, including skin tests, blood allergy tests (RAST and allergen-specific immunoglobulin E blood tests) and food challenges. 

If your child has a food allergy, our dietitian will help you outline a meal plan that ensures your child still receives the nutrients their growing body needs. You will also receive a list of foods to avoid and symptoms to look for in the event your child ingests a suspected food. 

In some individuals, exposure to certain metals, cosmetics, clothing or chemicals can cause contact dermatitis. Allergy patch testing helps identify what is causing the allergic skin reaction so you or your child can avoid exposure. We may also perform allergy patch testing before surgery with metal implants.

In addition, individuals with eczema who work in high-risk jobs for contact dermatitis - such as healthcare workers, dental assistants, cosmetologists, machinists or rubber and plastics workers - may also benefit from allergy patch testing.