HMH - Allergy and Immunology - Hackensack

Allergy Services

A variety of tests may be performed to pinpoint the allergen(s) that may be affecting your health. We offer a variety of sophisticated and complex tests.

Diagnostic testing offered by the center includes: an allergy skin test, in which tiny diluted amounts of the suspected allergens are injected under the skin. Within 15 minutes, a skin reaction will occur if the patient is allergic to the substance. The size of the reaction on the skin indicates how sensitive the patient is to the allergen.

A second effective test is the RAST (radioallergosorbent test) blood test, which measures the body’s reaction to an allergen in the laboratory.

Also available at the center are skin patch tests for such localized allergens as jewelry and cosmetics, the ELISA blood test used to evaluate food allergies, and nasal secretion analysis. History of adverse reaction to food can be objectively and unequivocally investigated by oral food challenges. Your treatment program may include avoidance of the allergen, pharmaceutical treatment, and/or immunotherapy. Immunotherapy involves injecting a known allergen over a period of time, gradually increasing doses of the allergen until resistance has built up.

Immune Disorders Care

Persons with immune disorders are predisposed to unusual and prolonged infectious and chronic diseases. Our practice is one of the few facilities in New Jersey to have both a Virology and Special Diagnostic Immunology laboratory. The laboratories use state-of-the-art technology to test for abnormalities in the immune system.

One in 500 people lack protective response and mucous membrane antibodies and are prone to recurrent sinus, pulmonary, and gastrointestinal infections. Other persons may not be producing appropriate numbers of antibodies or are producing antibodies that do not function properly. Without treatment, these individuals may experience different types of infections. A critical step in the treatment of immune deficiencies is uncovering its existence.

Medication Information