Services & Conditions Treated at Allergy Centers: A Comprehensive GuideMEDICAL SERVICES

• Allergy Testing and Treatment: M.I.T.D. and Neutralizing Dose.
• Environmental/occupational medical evaluations for acute and chronic illnesses.
• Environmental intolerance/multiple chemical sensitivity evaluation and treatment.
• Environmental and nutritional approaches (non-drug) to chronic conditions.
• Toxicologic/chemical injury evaluation and treatment.
• Preventive medical approaches to chronic illness.
• Intravenous nutritional therapies.
• Osteopathic Manipulative Services.

Other Special Services Include:

• Independent Medical Examinations (IME’s) in environmental and occupational exposure injuries.
• Expert Testimony for occupational and environmental exposure cases, specifically relating to cases involving chemical toxicity, indoor air pollution, sick building syndrome, and chemical sensitivity.
• Indoor air quality environmental/occupational building and home investigations and recommendations.

MEDICAL CONDITIONS

Allergic Rhinitis

Allergy affecting the nose is the most common form of allergic disease affecting about a third of the population. When severe and annoying it requires proper treatment. Pollens, dusts, molds, animal danders, foods and fragranced chemical cosmetics are common causes. Some individuals require Allergy Immunotherapy (allergy shots) to cure the condition. Seasonal problems may benefit from medication and environmental controls. There are very safe medications currently available including intranasal steroids, nonsedating antihistamines, and Singulair. For year round chronic sufferers it is always important to determine if there is a chronic hidden infection. Nasal cultures are recommended for bacteria and fungus.

Asthma

This condition usually presents with symptoms of wheezing, cough shortness of breath. It is sometimes triggered by exercise. Cough variant asthma may present with just a chronic cough. Spirometry or breathing tests are advised for proper diagnosis. This is a simple test done in the office. Dust mite is the most common cause of allergic asthma. It is aninflammatory condition involving obstruction of the airways and usually responds well to an Environmental approach to treatment. Many asthmatics are very allergic and environmentally hypersensitive. It is important to determine what your allergic triggers are in order to treat it.. RAST Blood testing for allergy evaluation is recommended. All asthma patients should avoid fragranced products and fabric softeners. All patients with asthma should read the book “The Inflammation Cure” by Dr.William Meggs. Newer medications for asthma include antiinflammatories, bronchodilators and antihistamines.

Eczema and skin rashes

This atopic (allergic) rash can be caused by any contact allergen, food or inhaled allergen. In children foods may be a major factor. Hidden fungal allergy or bacterial infection may contribute to symptoms. RAST Allergy blood testing is recommended to determine what one is allergic to.Newer nonsedating antihistamines and environmental controls are usually helpful. Allergy immunotherapy may help dramatically. Enzyme potentiated desensitization has beeen very helpful in selected cases.

Urticaria or Hives

Hidden infection and parasitic infection should be evaluated for. Many drugs can trigger hives including antibiotics. Molds are common cause of hives. Foods, house pets, chemical gases, insects bites, laundry detergents and fabric softeners can cause hives. Allergy evaluation is recommended for chronic hives. Treatment involves treatment for any hidden infection (sometimes fungal or parasitic), environmental restrictions, elimination diets, and antihistamines. Sometimes immunotherapy including Low Dose Allergy treatment is beneficial.

Angioedema

This is a more generalized swelling of the body and the throat can close up. The whole body can swell. This can be lifethreatening. It is important to determine the cause. Drugs are common causes of both angioedema and urticaria.

Allergy of the Nervous System

Allergy may be a major factor in all types of recurrent headaches and migraines. Behavioral problems including hyperactivity, irritability and restlessness, fatigue, weakness, achiness, cognitive dysfunction, coarse tremor, and tics may all be manifestations of allergy. It is even possible for seizures to be a manifestation of an allergic reaction. Chemical, food and mold allergens are common causes of neurolgical allergy symptoms. A trial of avoidance of certain foods and chemical exposures sometimes gives dramatic relief of symptoms. I usually advise removal of all smelly chemicals from the home including fabric softeners, perfumed products, air fresheners, and smelly chemical cleaning agents. Cat allergy can also trigger migraines and neurological allergy symptoms.

Gastrointestinal Allergy or Irritable Bowel Syndrome

This is an area of neglect in modern medicine. Food allergy is a common cause of gastrointestinal symptoms as well as vague symptoms of fatigue and irritability. Cow’s milk is the most common cause of topical gastrointestinal allergy. Cold sores inside the mouth as well as reflux symptoms, heartburn, gas, bloating , bad breath, diarrhea, rectal itching and constipation can all be caused by hidden food allergy. Skin testing for foods commonly eaten is recommended. Usually foods commonly eaten and craved are suspected allergens.

Eye Allergy

This can be caused by pollens, foods molds, dust chemicals and animals. Contact lenses can be a cause.Medications are helpful but it is important to determine the cause to eliminate the problem. Itching of the corners of the eye are usually due to pollens, animal danders and dust. Itching of the whole eye is usually caused by foods. Eyelid irritation is usually caused skin care products, eyeliners , scented cosmetics and hair care products.

Mold Allergy

Mold sensitive patients usually have multisystem symptoms including nervous system hyperirritability, cognitive dysfunction, fatigue, and headaches. Moisture contaminated buildings and high mold allergen exposure can cause increased intolerance to perfumes and related chemical products (see article on Candidiasis and Allergy). Severely mold allergic individuals should have their homes evaluated for hidden mold exposure problems. Environmental controls are recommended. Mold sensitive patients should minimize the use of mold related foods. Molds not only produce allergens but also produce toxins and release chemical smells that have the ability to sensitize. More information on molds can be obtained through our office. Ask for our free handout entitled “Health Effects of Molds”

Pollen Allergy

Most pollens are seasonal pollinating once or twice per year. People claiming to get frequent colds in the fall (ragweed) or in the spring or summer (grass and trees)may have pollen allergy. Maleleuca pollen is common in South Florida. A simple blood test or skin test can determine if you are pollen sensitive. Allergy desensitization is very effective and safe utilizing our low dose treatment method. Certain foods are related to certain pollen allergies and in pollen season one should avoid those foods.. Ask for our free handout entitled “Concomitant Food Allergy.”

Allergic Fatigue

Most people are completely unaware that fatigue is a cardinal symptom of chronic allergy. Along with itching, day/night and seasonal variations and susceptibility to respiratory infections, fatigue is one of the most common allergic symptoms that is rapidly alleviated by proper allergy treatment which usually includes avoidance of incriminated allergic foods, and desensitization to inhalent allergens.

Genitourinary Allergy

Some doctors have referred to this as “bladder asthma”.Foods are the most common causes of genitourinary allergy. In the case of enuresis , the most common offender is milk followed closely by artificial colors. In recurrent cystitis and vulvovaginitis citrus fruits, black pepper, tomato, chocolate and cola are common offenders. Inhalent allergens may play a role in the very allergic child.

Allergic Arthritis

A significant percentage of arthritics suffer from atopic palindromic arthritis. Their joint pains are precipitated by food allergy reactions. Pork has a predilection for involvement of the joints. Pork has frequently been overlooked as a major cause of allergic arthritic pain. Joint pains are a late manifestation of of a food allergy reaction and may occur two to five days after eating a food. Other foods causing arthritis include beef, chicken, turkey , milk, wheat and corn.

Allergic Headache

Both inhalent and food allergies are often overlooked during the search for headache cause. Food allergy is the more common cause. Neck pains, achy legs, fatigue, insomnia, irritability, and pallor all increase the suspicion of food allergy. The most common foods causing migraine include milk, chocolate, peanut, pork, egg, coffee, and chicken. Cheese, chocolate, MSG, soy sauce, beers and wines are vasodilating foods and may cause headache. Molds and chemical fumes and smells can cause headache. Cat allergy can trigger headache.

Allergic Vulvovaginitis

Women who develop recurrent vaginal yeast infections and irritation of the genitourinary tract may have an allergic problem that can be treated with Candida immunotherapy, avoidance of perfumed products and a low yeast/mold diet. Education is the key to further progression of the disease. For further information ask for free handout entitled “AllergicVulvovaginitis”

Tourette Syndrome

This tic disorder may respond dramatically to an environmental approach which includes an allergy evaluation and treatment, environmental controls, stress reduction, a low allergy nutritional plan, elimination of any hidden infection. For further information go to Latitudes.org and read the book Tics And Tourettes by Sheila Rogers in which Doctor Robbins environmental approach is discussed.

Formaldehyde,phenol and Glycerine sensitivity

Treatment is available either through Optimal Dose Allergy immunotherapy or Low Dose Allergy Treatment . Ask for our free information booklets. Also AllergyResearchGroup.com has developed nutrient protocols for the chemically sensitive by Dr. Martin Pall

Cat and dog allergy

Sublingual allergy drops or optimal dose immunotherapy can be prepared to help you tolerate a dog or cat in the house. The ideal recommendation is to remove the animal from the home if you are allergic.

Viral or Herpes Desensitization

Utilizing very low doses of the influenza viral vaccine this treatment developed by Allergist Joseph Miller, M.D. can help to eliminate both type 1 and type 2 herpes infections and cold sores. It can also help the symptoms of Epstein Barr virus and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Dust Allergy

Dust sensitive individuals should create an allergy free bedroom. Free information on how to do this can be obtained through this office. Carpet removal from bedrooms is recommended and encasing mattresses and box springs. Eliminate any dust collectors in the bedroom and clean all air conditioning vents and filters regularly.

NSBRI or Nonspecific Building Related Illness (Sick Building Syndrome)

There are many causes including poor ventilation and airflow, moisture contamination and roof leaks, poor air conditioning and air duct system maintainance, inadequate fresh air, improper remediation and chemical air pollutants. Individuals who become ill in sick buildings should avoid those buildings until they are determined not to be a health hazard.

Sinusitis

Most individuals with frequent sinus problems have hidden allergies and should be properly evaluated. Hidden infectioncaused by bacteria and fungi are also common and require treatment. Many have fungal sinusitis. Cultures of the sinuses can be done for an accurate diagnosis. Allergies are the most common causes of recurrent sinusitis.

Optimal Dose Immunotherapy

This approach to allergy desensitization allows us to treat your allergies safely and effectively and gives us the option of teaching you how to take your injections at home. For further information ask for the “Goldilocks Allergy Treatment” article.Also for children we offer sublingual allergy drops instead of injections!

Preventive Medicine

We all need to practice preventive health strategies daily. A daily health plan is necessary to prevent the progression of any disease process. Doctor Robbins is board certified in Preventive Medicine and has expertise in Health Education and can advise you in developing a healthy lifestyle action plan. Yearly checkups are recommended.