Allergists are physicians trained in diagnosing and treating allergies, including hay fever and food allergies, among others. We see patients with allergic skin conditions such as eczema and hives. Allergists can also help improve asthma control by identifying important triggers. The conditions we treat can range from rare to very common and can affect individuals of all ages.
Dr. Lawrence E. Gelber
Hi. I'm Dr. Lawrence E. Gelber. I am known as Dr. G to many, Dr. Larry to some of my family and Lawrence to robo-callers. Thirty years of practicing allergy (and helping over twenty-five thousand people of all ages!) has taught me that listening to the patient is the first and most important part of any evaluation. Allergies can affect your head, eyes, ears, nose, throat, skin, gut, bladder, joints, sleep, focus, and energy, so it is important to me to understand exactly what my patients are feeling when they experience allergy symptoms. My consults provide patient-specific testing by taking a very detailed history, followed by a physical. Then, I sit down with patients to discuss recommendations regarding allergen avoidance, dietary adjustment, and specific medications. This gives each patient the control and quality of life he or she desires. I see patients of any age, from infants to as old as you can manage to reach, and I personally take calls every night and on weekends for my patients to provide continuity of care. This practice is what gives my life purpose and meaning. I appreciate every referral from my patients' families, friends, and medical providers and look forward to each and every medical challenge that enters my office. I appreciate the opportunity to improve a patient's quality of life, one individual at a time. My goal at the end of every productive day of practice is to return the following day to help someone else to achieve a healthier, more rewarding life. I look forward to helping you.
Training and Education
In the United States, allergists initially train in pediatrics or internal medicine and then complete a fellowship dedicated to learning the science and management of allergic diseases. Allergy fellowship is an extra 2-3 years of subspecialty training which includes time spent studying the immune system. Allergists' immunology training focuses on the functions of the immune system to evaluate and diagnose immune deficiencies.
Oftentimes, students have completed 9 years of extra training beyond their initial undergraduate degree. The comprehensive care you receive from your allergist is built on the foundation of years of training.
Our Practice
We at Richmond Allergy and Asthma Specialists pride ourselves on the thorough patient history information we take, which is just as important as the testing we perform. Our team takes a full, comprehensive approach to your healthcare needs, gaining a full understanding of family history, work and home environments and the symptoms present to identify exactly what is causing symptoms to appear. We make every effort to complete a thorough evaluation to help you with your allergy symptoms. As allergists, our goal is to help patients by:
- Preventing future symptoms from appearing.
- Diagnosing the issue with the most precise methods available.
- Managing the symptoms that may be appearing.
- Treating the condition to minimize future symptoms.
