Allergology
The Allergy Service at Olympia Centro Médico Pozuelo, led by Dr. Ana Pérez Montero, a nationally and internationally renowned specialist, offers a comprehensive approach for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases.
Our team treats environmental, food, skin contact, drug and hymenoptera sting allergies, as well as asthma and other associated conditions. In addition, doctors Elena Sierra Maestro and Esther Lourdes Pérez González specialise in food intolerances, DAO deficiency and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).
At Olympia, each case is analysed in a personalised, multidisciplinary manner, using the most innovative techniques and a human approach that ensures quality and safety.
Techniques, procedures and diagnostic methods
Allergy testing
Skin tests are the main diagnostic tool for allergic diseases because they are a safe, simple, quick and reliable method for detecting the presence of specific IgE antibodies. The prick test is the method used in the consultation room. A drop of the allergen solution is applied to the surface of the forearm and penetrates the skin with the aid of a lancet. An early, immediate response will appear after 15 to 20 minutes.
Drug study trials
Skin and drug exposure tests are performed to confirm or rule out drug allergy. Desensitisation, which is a process to enable the patient to tolerate a drug that is necessary for their treatment on a temporary basis, may be carried out on specific occasions.
Food allergy testing
Traditionally, food allergies have been detected by the exposure method, which consists of tasting a food in increasing amounts and waiting for the allergic reaction to appear.
Contact allergies
Skin patch tests for the diagnosis of contact dermatitis. This involves applying patches to the upper back of the patient and covering them with a hypoallergenic adhesive. After 48 hours, the patches are removed and an initial reading is taken. The second reading takes place after 96 hours. There are standard test batteries that provide a wide range of detection of possible contact allergies, and others specific to dental materials, hairdressing products, prostheses, anti-inflammatory drugs, etc.
Immunotherapy
Treatment aimed at hyposensitising a patient to the allergen that causes their symptoms. This treatment is carried out for respiratory allergens and for hymenoptera.
