Pediatric Allergy and Asthma Specialists for Children with Asthma
Whether you think your child might have asthma, needs to avoid allergens, take medicines, or receive allergy shots, we can help.
Are you concerned that your child might have asthma or allergies?
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease caused by inflammation of the airways. Common symptoms are wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and chest tightness. Asthma is believed to be caused by a combination of environmental and genetic factors. Although you cannot control your genetic makeup, you can control some of the environmental factors that may cause you to develop asthma.
Asthma triggers include:
- Allergens (e.g. animal dander, dust mites, etc.)
- Chemical fumes (e.g. chlorine, ammonia, etc.)
- Air pollution (e.g. second hand smoke, emissions from gas stoves, etc.)
- Workplace exposures (e.g. latex, building materials, etc.)
- Obesity
Medical studies on the prevalence of asthma have identified some interesting patterns. The strongest risk factor for developing asthma is a history of atopic disease (e.g. eczema). This increases the risk of both hay fever and asthma.
In children between 3-14, a positive skin test for allergies and an increase in immunoglobulin E increases the chance of having asthma. In adults, the more allergens reacted to during a skin test, the higher the odds of having asthma.
Pediatric Asthma and Allergy Specialists on Staff
Drs. Gelber, Call and Hark received their specialty allergy training at the University of Virginia and Dr. Massie had allergy training at the University of California Medical Center in San Francisco. Drs. Gelber, Call and Hark trained under Dr. Thomas A.E. Platts-Mills. and Dr. Massie trained under Drs. William C. Deamer and Oscar L. Frick.
All four of your physicians are Board Certified/Eligible indicating specialty training in their fields and all see infants, children and adults.
Meet our Physicians
A Child's Allergy Symptoms |
Allergy Immunotherapy |
Most Common Allergens
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Allergy shots, also known as immunotherapy, can actually keep your body from reacting to allergens, reducing and often eliminating the need for medication. The shots decrease a patient's sensitivity to specific allergens by injecting gradually increasing doses of purified "vaccines" of the substance that triggers the allergic reaction. The injections stimulate the immune system to fight allergies safely, effectively, and naturally. You should consider allergy immunotherapy for your child if he or she:
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