Allergy & Immunology
If you have allergies or asthma, visit Grand River Medical Group in Dubuque, Iowa. You’ll receive an expert diagnosis and care plan to help you breathe better from our board-certified allergy and immunologist.
What are Allergies?
Allergies are when the body’s immune system has reactions to a substance that seems harmful to the body. Allergy symptoms can cause reactions that impact your breathing, eyes, and skin.
Allergies can affect children and adults. Seasonal allergies, known as hay fever, are due to outdoor allergens like pollen.
What are Allergens?
Substances that trigger allergic reactions is an allergen and is in various sources, such as:
- Animal dander
- Bee stings
- Cosmetics
- Dust
- Food
- Grass
- Latex
- Medication
- Mold
- Pollen
The substances are harmless to most people, but the symptoms can range from minor to more serious, depending on your allergy.
Conditions & Symptoms We Treat
Find treatment for a wide range of allergic conditions or immunologic diseases, including:
- Allergies – Reactions like itching, hive (swelling), sneezing, or rashes from a substance in the environment
- Anaphylaxis – Causes life-threatening allergic reactions that need immediate, emergency care
- Asthma – Causes recurring coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath from swollen airways
- Sinusitis – Frequent sinus infections
Your First Appointment
Our allergist will review your medical history, talk to you about your symptoms and complete a physical exam. If appropriate, the next step is to discuss testing or treatment options. The length of your first appointment can vary based on the recommended testing and may take up to two hours.
Avoid taking antihistamines (such as Benadryl, Claritin, Zyrtec, or Allegra) five days before your first appointment. These medicines block the skin test. Continue taking your other medications unless advised to stop them. Contact our allergy clinic if you have a question.
Appointment for Children
To ensure your child's visit is successful, we ask that a parent or guardian attends all appointments.
Allergy Testing
Depend on our experts to help you diagnose and manage both seasonal and chronic allergies. Testing includes:
Allergy Skin Testing
Allergy skin testing helps determine what allergens may be causing your symptoms. Common allergens include airborne allergens like (pollen, dust mites, pet dander, and molds, food, stinging insects, and medications.
Spirometry
Spirometry is a lung function test to help diagnose and treat asthma. It provides essential information on lung volumes and whether the patient has an airway obstruction (a narrowing of the bronchial air passages).
Allergy Patch Testing
Allergy patch testing helps understand what contact allergens may be causing your rash. Some examples include preservatives, pigments, metals, dyes, and fragrances. We may ask you to bring personal care products from home to test for individual products. Many common contact allergens are available in our office.
Patch testing takes four days from start to finish. On Monday, the office applies small test patches to your upper back. You must return to the office on Wednesday to have your care team remove the patches. Thursday is your final patch testing appointment. Avoid getting your back wet during this entire testing period.
Immune Testing
The initial testing includes reviewing your medical history to determine appropriate testing, which may include a blood draw. This information about your immune system health will assist with your care and treatment options. One treatment option is immunoglobulin therapy. This involves the replacement of antibody levels through IV or home SQ (under the skin) infusions.
Allergy Treatments
Our allergist discuss what treatment options are best for your lifestyle. Common treatment options for your allergy and asthma symptoms include:
Allergies
- Allergen avoidance
- Allergy Shots (Allergen Immunotherapy)
- Medications
Asthma
Asthma varies from mild, infrequent problems to severe, daily issues that can even be life-threatening. Treatment of asthma includes avoiding triggers, inhalers (quick relievers and long-term controllers), and allergy shots. Several "biologic" therapies for asthma also allow for improved control, including Xolair and Nucala. Our goal is to reduce the number of oral steroids (such as prednisone) that you need to take.
