Allergy and Immunology

The Division of Allergy and Immunology at Montefiore Medical Center offers patients the expertise of three full-time allergists at three different practice sites, specializing in allergic and immunologic conditions, including allergic rhinitis, asthma, atopic dermatitis (eczema), urticaria (hives), sinusitis, and occasional, very rare immune deficiencies and immunological problems. We provide our patients with expert diagnosis and a unique, particularly aggressive treatment approach that involves identifying and eliminating the cause of their allergies, rather than simply treating the symptoms. We regularly appear on year-end lists of the best physicians in the New York City area, and patients in need of specialized care are often referred to us by their primary care physicians. 

Thorough, careful diagnosis

When patients are first referred to us, we administer an expert diagnosis over the course of several visits. Our highly trained nurses begin by spending as long as two hours with patients on their initial visit, in order to gain a thorough medical overview. These examinations often include the following:

• Extensive allergy history, including descriptions of home and work environment
• Dietary history
• Screening allergy skin tests 
• Physical examination
• Diagnostic testing

When necessary, we administer additional allergy skin tests, until we feel confident that we have gotten to the root of a patient's condition. Once a patient has been diagnosed, we offer thorough follow up treatment and complete management of all aspects of their care.

Unique, assertive care management

Once patients are diagnosed, we make use of three common treatment methods that go below the symptoms to eliminate the causes of most allergies:

• Environment controls: The first line of therapy with all patients, this involves identifying the source of our patients' allergies, including feather pillows, pets and mold. We then separate patients from these causes as completely as we can. This may also include eradicating triggers that touch their skin, like rubber gloves and chemicals. When patients appear to be allergic to dietary items, we advise them on special allergy elimination diets.
• Drug therapy: Most patients receive various types of medication that help to alleviate their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
• Allergy shots: Patients that can't complete environmental controls because they can't part with a cat, for instance, or they can't tolerate medications, receive shots. This prolonged course of therapy will eliminate most patients' allergies and make them feel much better. Most patients receive weekly shots for four to five months, and then, monthly injections for another two years. Two practice nurses are devoted to administering the shots, and their evening hours ensure convenient scheduling for patients.

Although allergies result from a variety of causes, we are able to put together a highly beneficial course of treatment for most people. And our collaborative relationship with the hospital's dermatology and pulmonary divisions, allows us to provide specialized expertise, even for those patients who require more intensive care.

Commitment to ongoing research

Our dedication to ongoing research includes our participation in a study on whether mercury in the environment may be causing people to be more allergic. We are currently conducting clinical trials of new asthma medications and allergy drugs, and research into atopic dermatitis, sinusitis, and urticaria (hives). We have also developed an innovative care management program for chronic urticaria, which works much better than the standard method of heavily medicating patients and waiting for symptoms to disappear.

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Asthma

Sinusitis

Skin Disorders

Marianne O'Hara, C.P.N.P.

Nurse Practitioner, Department of Urology
Children's Hospital at Montefiore - CHAM

People want to work here, they want to be part of this extraordinary hospital for children. [more]