Allergy Specialist in Silver Spring, Maryland

Allergies are common chronic conditions that can affect the skin, respiratory system, digestive system, and quality of life. At Allergy & Asthma Clinic of Maryland in Silver Spring, Maryland, our experienced allergy and immunology team provides personalized care for children and adults with environmental, food, skin, medication, and insect allergies. We evaluate your symptoms, medical history, and potential triggers to recommend appropriate allergy testing and treatment.

What Are Allergies?

An allergy occurs when the immune system overreacts to a substance that is normally harmless. These substances are called allergens. Depending on the type of allergy, exposure may occur through breathing, eating, touching, medication use, or insect stings.


Allergic reactions can range from mild symptoms such as sneezing, congestion, or itchy eyes to skin reactions, breathing difficulties, or more serious reactions such as anaphylaxis.


Because different allergens can cause different symptoms, identifying your individual triggers can be an important first step toward effective allergy management.

Common Allergy Symptoms

Allergy symptoms can affect different parts of the body and may vary depending on the allergen involved.


Note: Some allergic reactions can become severe. Symptoms involving significant breathing difficulty, throat swelling, or other signs of anaphylaxis require immediate emergency medical attention.

Common symptoms may include:

  • Sneezing
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Itchy, watery, or irritated eyes
  • Nasal congestion
  • Coughing
  • Wheezing
  • Shortness of breath
  • Hives
  • Itching
  • Skin rashes
  • Swelling
  • Digestive symptoms after certain foods
  • Reactions following insect stings or medications

What Types of Allergies Do We Treat?

Allergy & Asthma Clinic of Maryland evaluates and manages many common types of allergies, including:

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Seasonal & Pollen Allergies

Pollen allergies are also known as allergic rhinitis or hay fever.


Trees, grasses, and weeds release microscopic pollen into the air at different times of year. For patients who are sensitive to these allergens, exposure may cause sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes, runny nose, coughing, or other seasonal symptoms.

bee

Insect Allergies

Allergic reactions can occur following exposure to certain insects.



Stinging insects such as bees, wasps, and hornets can cause serious allergic reactions in susceptible patients. Other household pests, including dust mites and cockroaches, may contribute to indoor allergy symptoms.

skin allergy, rash

Skin Allergies

Allergic conditions can also affect the skin.


Symptoms may include itching, redness, rash, hives, or allergic contact dermatitis. Determining whether an allergen is contributing to a skin reaction may require a detailed medical history and specialized testing.

gluten plant wheat

Food Allergies

They occur when the immune system reacts to certain foods.


Common allergens include peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, wheat, soy, fish, and shellfish. Reactions can affect children and adults and may include skin or digestive symptoms, swelling, breathing problems, or anaphylaxis.

dog

Pet Allergies

Pet allergies can occur when the immune system reacts to proteins associated with animals, most commonly cats and dogs.


Symptoms may include sneezing, congestion, itchy or watery eyes, coughing, wheezing, or worsening asthma symptoms after exposure.

mold, bacteria

Mold Allergies

Mold releases microscopic spores that can become airborne indoors and outdoors.


Patients with mold allergies may experience symptoms during certain seasons or throughout the year, depending on their environment and exposure.

dog

Latex Allergies

Occurs when the immune system reacts to proteins in natural rubber latex.


Exposure may occur through products such as certain gloves, balloons, or other rubber items. Symptoms can range from skin irritation to more significant allergic reactions.

drug medication bottle

Drug Allergies

Some patients develop allergic reactions to medications such as penicillin.


Medication side effects and drug interactions are not always the same as an allergy, so appropriate evaluation can help determine whether a suspected medication reaction represents a true drug allergy.

How Are Allergies Diagnosed?

Allergy evaluation begins with a careful review of your symptoms, medical history, possible exposures, and suspected triggers. Depending on the type of allergy being evaluated, our team may recommend one or more forms of diagnostic testing.

  • Skin Prick Testing

    Skin prick testing exposes the skin to small amounts of suspected allergens and monitors for a reaction. This common form of allergy testing can help identify sensitivity to environmental allergens and other potential triggers.

  • Intradermal Skin Testing

    During intradermal testing, a small amount of a suspected allergen is placed just beneath the skin. The area is then monitored for a controlled reaction. This type of testing may be recommended in certain situations depending on the suspected allergy and previous testing results.

  • Patch Testing

    Patch testing may be used when allergic contact dermatitis or another delayed skin reaction is suspected. Potential allergens are applied to the skin and evaluated over a period of time to identify substances that may be causing a reaction.

  • Blood Testing

    Blood tests may sometimes be used to evaluate allergic sensitization. The appropriate testing method depends on the patient's symptoms, medical history, medications, age, and the type of allergy being evaluated.

  • Oral Food Challenges

    An oral food challenge may be used in certain situations to evaluate a suspected food allergy. Because food challenges involve carefully monitored exposure to a food, they are performed under medical supervision when clinically appropriate.

Allergies and Asthma Are Often Connected

Allergies and asthma frequently occur together. Environmental allergens such as pollen, dust mites, pets, and mold can contribute to asthma symptoms in some patients. When allergic triggers are involved, treating the allergy component can be an important part of an overall asthma management plan. Our team evaluates both allergy and respiratory symptoms to help determine how they may be connected.

How Allergies Are Treated

After identifying your allergy triggers and evaluating your symptoms, our team creates a personalized allergy management plan based on your specific needs.

Trigger Avoidance

Reducing exposure to known allergens can be an important part of managing allergy symptoms. Your care team can help you understand which environmental, food, or other triggers may need to be avoided or minimized.

Medication Management

Depending on the type and severity of your symptoms, allergy medications may be recommended to help control inflammation, congestion, itching, or other symptoms.

Allergy Immunotherapy

Patients with environmental allergies may benefit from immunotherapy. Allergy immunotherapy gradually exposes the immune system to carefully controlled amounts of specific allergens with the goal of reducing sensitivity over time.

Food Allergy Management

Food allergy treatment focuses on identifying confirmed allergens, avoiding exposure, understanding food labels and cross-contact risks, and being prepared to respond to allergic reactions. Depending on the individual patient's diagnosis and needs, additional treatment strategies may be discussed.

Individualized Follow-Up

Allergy symptoms can change over time. Follow-up appointments allow Dr. Kalfa to monitor symptoms, evaluate the effectiveness of treatment, and adjust the management plan when needed.

When Should You See an Allergist?

An allergist can help determine whether allergies are contributing to your symptoms and whether diagnostic testing may be appropriate. Consider scheduling an allergy evaluation when symptoms are:

  • Persistent or recurring
  • Difficult to control with over-the-counter treatments
  • Interfering with sleep, work, school, or daily activities
  • Occurring during certain seasons or after specific exposures
  • Associated with asthma or breathing problems
  • Triggered by particular foods
  • Occurring after medications
  • Occurring after insect stings
  • Causing recurrent hives or skin reactions
  • Difficult to identify or explain

Why Choose Allergy & Asthma Clinic of Maryland?

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  • Board-Certified Allergy & Immunology Expertise

    Our team includes providers with specialized training in conditions involving allergies, asthma, and the immune system.

  • Comprehensive Allergy Testing

    The practice offers multiple diagnostic approaches, including skin prick testing, intradermal testing, patch testing, blood testing, and oral food challenges when appropriate.

  • Allergy & Asthma Care in One Practice

    Because allergies and asthma frequently overlap, patients can receive evaluation for both allergic and respiratory symptoms within the same practice.

  • Care for Children & Adults

    Allergy & Asthma Clinic of Maryland provides allergy care for patients of different ages and stages of life.

  • Personalized Treatment

    Testing and treatment recommendations are based on your symptoms, medical history, possible triggers, diagnostic findings, and individual needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about allergies and treatments we offer at our office in Silver Spring.

Still have a question?

Call our office and our team will be happy to answer any questions you may have about treatments, scheduling, or anything else.

  • What causes allergies?

    Allergies occur when the immune system reacts to a normally harmless substance as though it were a threat. Common allergens include pollen, pets, mold, foods, medications, insect venom, and certain substances that contact the skin.

  • How do I know what I am allergic to?

    An allergist can review your symptoms and medical history and determine whether allergy testing may help identify specific triggers. Testing may include skin testing, blood testing, patch testing, or other methods depending on the suspected allergy.

  • Can allergies develop as an adult?

    Yes. Although many allergies begin during childhood, adults can also develop new allergies.

  • Are allergies and asthma connected?

    Yes. Allergies and asthma commonly occur together. Environmental allergens such as pollen, pets, mold, and dust mites can trigger asthma symptoms in some patients.

  • What is the difference between a food allergy and food intolerance?

    A food allergy involves an immune system reaction to a particular food. Food intolerance generally does not involve the same immune response and may cause different types of symptoms. An allergy evaluation can help clarify the cause of suspected food reactions.

  • What allergy tests does Dr. Kalfa perform?

    Depending on the patient's needs, testing may include skin prick testing, intradermal skin testing, patch testing, blood testing, or oral food challenges.

  • Can allergies be treated with allergy shots?

    Some environmental allergies may be treated with allergy immunotherapy. Whether allergy shots are appropriate depends on your specific allergens, symptoms, medical history, and response to other treatments.

  • Does Dr. Kalfa treat children with allergies?

    Yes. Dr. Kalfa provides allergy and immunology care for both children and adults.

  • Where can I see an allergy specialist in Silver Spring?

    Allergy & Asthma Clinic of Maryland is located at 8630 Fenton Street, Suite 522, Silver Spring, MD 20910.

Find Relief From Allergy Symptoms

Allergies can affect much more than your nose or eyes. They can interfere with sleep, breathing, eating, outdoor activities, work, school, and everyday life. At Allergy & Asthma Clinic of Maryland, our team provides comprehensive allergy evaluation, diagnostic testing, and individualized treatment for children and adults.

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