Allergy/Immunology

Boost Your Immune System

We are aware that everyone experiences illness differently

Typical symptoms triggered by an allergic reaction affect the:

Severe allergies may also induce symptoms of asthma, or even anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening health condition. Allergic reactions are produced by allergens, among which the most commonly observed are:

Allergies Will Become a Distant Memory

Our allergists can attend to the most complex types of allergies so that you will be able to enjoy a symptom-free life

The specialists at Marina del Rey Hospital can perform a great range of tests and diagnostic procedures which will accurately identify your allergy

Marina del Rey Hospital is prepared with advanced medical technology to deal with all allergic and immunologic disorders presently known. Allergic conditions that our excellently prepared medical specialists treat on a daily basis include:

• Angioedema
• Adverse drug reaction
• Allergic asthma
• Allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
• Anaphylaxis
• Atopic dermatitis
• Bronchopulmonary dysplasia
• Chronic lung disease
• Chronic or recurrent sinusitis
• Cystic fibrosis
• Eczema
• Food allergies
• Food intolerances
• Insect hypersensitivity
• Medication allergies and intolerances
• Urticaria

Immunologists at Marina del Rey Hospital treat and diagnose the following immunodeficiency diseases:

• Hyper-IgE syndromes (HIES)
• IPEX (a syndrome of immunodeficiency, endocrine, gastrointestinal and skin disease, that occurs in boys)
• Omenn’s Syndrome
• etc.

Accurate Tests for Reliable Diagnoses

The specialists at Marina del Rey Hospital can perform a great range of tests and diagnostic procedures which will accurately identify your allergy

At Marina del Rey Hospital, treatment options for patients with allergic or immunologic disorders cover a wide range that includes medications, immunotherapy and prevention. The exact approach differs in each individual case depending on the type of allergy or immunologic disorder of the patient. The most commonly applied treatments, which may be applied separately or combined, include:

• Allergy and skin testing
• Allergy medications
• Anticholinergics
• Antileukotrienes or leukotriene modifiers
• Immunotherapy (allergy shots)
• Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIg) Prevention
• Cromolyn sodium and nedocromil
• Immunomodulators
• Inhaled corticosteroids
• Long-acting inhaled beta2-agonists (administered together with another asthma-related drug)
• Methylxanthines
• Nasal steroids
• Oral antihistamines, such as Zyrtec (cetirazine), Allergra (fexafenidine), Claritin (loratidine), Benadryl (diphenhydramine) or Atarax (hydroxyzine)
• Oral corticosteroids
• Short-acting inhaled beta2-agonists
• Sublingual tablets

Tests and Diagnosis Performed at Marina del Rey Hospital

To identify different types of allergies, allergists and immunologists start by a general health assessment, through which they put together a most accurate “picture” of the patient’s condition. This assessment involves detailed information about signs and symptoms and a thorough physical examination. After this preliminary examination the patient is asked to keep a diary of all symptoms and possible triggers. Allergies are often difficult to identify, and an exact diagnosis that relies on experimenting by avoiding various allergens, may take a longer period of time. Allergy testing includes:

• blood tests
• bronchial, nasal, and conjunctival provocation tests
• detection of mast cell-derived mediators of anaphylaxis
• laboratory tests
• serum allergen specific IgE concentrations
• skin prick testing
• trial elimination diet
• RAST tests (in-vitro tests for allergen-specific IgE)
• detection of mast cell-derived mediators of anaphylaxis
• non-specific markers of allergic inflammation

Allergists and immunologists at Marina del Rey Hospital are experienced medical specialists, whose work is fully supported by advanced medical technology and fully equipped laboratories for testing.