Office IgE-mediated environmental allergy evaluation and treatment

Abstract

Environmental allergens that induce a type I immune hypersensitivity present a widespread and significant reduction in the quality of life for our patients while imposing a stifling cost upon health care and the economy. A prompt, accurate clinical diagnosis with an appropriate management protocol can spare recurrent upper respiratory tract infections and unpleasant sequelae of epithelial inflammation, airway mucous clogging, and mucosal obstruction. In the event where environmental control measures and conservative medical therapy fail, many patients stand to benefit from immunotherapy testing and treatment. In the absence of significant risk factors for therapy, the potential for partial or total resolution of IgE-mediated symptoms makes this an excellent option. With adequate clinical design and anaphylaxis precautions, most outpatient clinic settings can provide safe and accurate environmental allergen evaluation and therapy.