To help people with a wide range of allergic diseases, allergy specialists at Mayo Clinic locations offer comprehensive treatment for asthma, hay fever (allergic rhinitis), food allergy, medication (drug) allergy, latex allergy, primary immunodeficiency, chronic sinusitis, stinging insect allergy, eosinophil-associated diseases and other allergic responses.

Because everyone has unique needs, Mayo Clinic specialists begin most allergy consultations with a comprehensive look at your history and a physical examination. The doctor takes the time necessary to listen to what is important to you and your concerns.

Mayo Clinic individualizes testing to your specific situation and may include:

  • Allergy skin testing
  • Pulmonary function tests
  • Methacholine bronchial challenge tests
  • Endoscope exams of the nose and upper airway

To make it most convenient for you, the Allergy Division conducts most testing in the allergy clinic so that you don't have to travel from location to location to get the care you need.

Based on those test results and your needs, Mayo Clinic allergy specialists work with you to develop a treatment plan tailored to you.

Why choose Mayo Clinic

  • Experience. Mayo Clinic has a long history as a leader in treating allergic disorders. Each year more than 10,000 people are treated by Mayo Clinic allergists.
  • Expertise. Doctors have expertise in diagnosing and treating both simple and complex allergic conditions.
  • Team approach. To meet each person's unique needs, your care might include appointments with clinicians trained in multiple subspecialties.

Mayo Clinic's Division of Allergic Diseases offers a comprehensive selection of tests to assist in diagnosis and evaluation of allergic conditions.

Chronic asthma evaluations

To evaluate asthma, Mayo Clinic allergists complete a comprehensive history and perform a physical examination. Their individualized investigation may include tests to find causes that make asthma more troublesome and resistant to treatment. Your specialist will use the information to diagnose your condition specifically and work with you to tailor a treatment plan to your needs. The care team will also answer any questions you may have and arrange follow-up visits.

You may also work with an asthma nurse, who will provide you with the tools you need to ensure the treatment works for you once you get home. This may include an asthma action plan with written instructions on what to do if your asthma worsens. The nurse will help you understand your medications — how and when to take them and how much. They, or another member of the care team, will give you information about who to call with questions or concerns.

Immunotherapy for allergies

Allergy immunotherapy (also called "allergy shots") is designed to decrease your reaction to specific allergy-producing substances called allergens. Most people benefit from this therapy, although some do not. Allergy injections are administered under supervision either at Mayo Clinic or with your local doctor. They are given as part of your allergy treatment, usually in conjunction with allergy-avoidance measures and medications. A clinician will complete an initial consultation and evaluation before therapy begins.

Injection schedule

People who are starting an immunotherapy will undergo a "build" phase. The immunotherapy "build" slowly and safely increases your exposure to the immunotherapy serum. You have three options when it comes to your build:

  • Rapid desensitization
  • Cluster build
  • Conventional build.

You will be required to stay in the clinic after an immunotherapy shot in order to ensure you do not have an adverse reaction.

If you receive each injection on schedule and have no adverse reaction, the dose of each injection will increase until you reach a maintenance dose. Then the time interval between doses will gradually lengthen until you are on monthly injections. Mayo extracts can be mailed to your local doctor's office.

Allergic conditions treated

Specialists in allergic diseases at Mayo Clinic have extensive experience treating a wide range of conditions, from common seasonal allergies to very complex and rare conditions.

Availability of services may vary among Mayo Clinic locations. Please confirm when you contact Mayo Clinic.

Mayo Clinic has one of the largest and most experienced practices in the United States, with campuses in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota. Staff skilled in dozens of specialties work together to ensure quality care and successful recovery.

Find doctors and medical staff:

Asthma and allergy specialists in allergic diseases at Mayo Clinic are organized by disease-oriented groups to enhance communication, focus research efforts and improve the level of care that each group member provides.

Doctors in Allergic Diseases are organized into a number of subspecialty areas.

Mayo Clinic's commitment to allergy research dates to the 1950s when doctors in Minnesota demonstrated the usefulness of the newly discovered glucocorticoids in treating certain allergy and asthma problems.

The Division of Allergic Diseases' long and outstanding history of clinical and basic research enables specialists to translate the latest science into cutting-edge treatments.

Read more about the Allergic Diseases Research Laboratory (ADRL) at Mayo Clinic.

Publications

See a list of publications about allergic diseases by Mayo Clinic doctors on PubMed, a service of the National Library of Medicine.

Our patients tell us that the quality of their interactions, our attention to detail and the efficiency of their visits mean health care like they've never experienced. See the stories of satisfied Mayo Clinic patients.

Mayo Clinic works with hundreds of insurance companies and is an in-network provider for millions of people.

In most cases, Mayo Clinic doesn't require a physician referral. Some insurers require referrals or may have additional requirements for certain medical care. All appointments are prioritized on the basis of medical need.

Learn more about appointments at Mayo Clinic.

Please contact your insurance company to verify medical coverage and to obtain any needed authorization prior to your visit. Often, your insurer's customer service number is printed on the back of your insurance card.

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