Immunologist in Fresno, CA | BUDDIGA Family Allergy Skin Immunology

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Take a Deep Breath Outdoors

Chronic infections that last or occur consistently and / or recurrently flare up can be an indication that your immunity needs some attention. Intravenous immunoglobulin supports the body when it can’t make enough antibodies to fight infection. Dr. Buddiga may order a Streptococcal Pneumonia serotype blood test to review if you are lacking in this type of immunity and may inject a 23 – valent conjugate Strep. Pneumococcal protein vaccination that in most cases “jump-starts” or boosts your immunity.

Recently convalescent plasma transfusions with neutralizing antibodies have been successfully used to defend from active COVID 19 – SARSCov2 Infection complications and has saved hundreds of patients stricken by this novel illness during this ongoing worldwide pandemic. Both testing and successful vaccine treatment are based upon the science of immunology for this novel condition that we are still learning about. The virus evolves everyday regarding response to vaccine type as well as immune pressure to mutate into variants that survive and propagate this infectious disease worldwide.

Immune Health Facts

CAUSES

Medications, Penicillin, Sulfa Agents, Pain Medications, Ibuprofen, and Naproxen
Foods Such as Nuts, Seafood, Wheat, Milk and Eggs
Insect Stings Such As Bees, Wasps and Fire Ants
Latex
Medications Used In Anesthesia
Exercise
New Emerging Pathogens Such As SARS-Cov 1 / 2 , Coronavirus Variants / COVID19, Zika , Ebola and Others.

SYMPTOMS

Hives
Flushed or Pale Skin
Sudden Loss of Taste or Smell Sensation
Malnutrition – Vitamin Deficiency
The Sensation of a Lump in Your Throat
Constriction of the Airways
A Swollen Tongue or Throat
Nausea, Vomiting or Diarrhea
Unexplained Weight Loss
Unexplained Skin Rashes

TESTING & TREATMENT

Testing

Immune Health Testing

Do you know the strength of your immune system? A number of factors may play into how strong your immunity is, from stress to fatigue, diet, environmental factors, quality of life, work life balance and much more. Testing for stable and strong immune status is an important tool in assessment of the integrity of the patient’s ability to protect oneself from infection. This may be achieved by testing for Immunoglobulin M, immunoglobulin G, Immunoglobulin G1-G4 subclasses and Immunoglobulin A. The immune system consists of 2 major arms the first arm being “Humoral immunity” and the second being “cell-mediated immunity” represented by B cells and T cells respectively. Therefore testing for T and B cell subsets may be helpful diagnostically.

Other tests such as streptococcal pneumonia titers looking at various serotypes and then vaccinating with the 23-Valent Strep. pneumonia vaccine and rechecking antibody titers 6-8 weeks later also is a common test to assess immune response.

Treatment

Shots For Low Immunity

When the body’s immunity is low, you may suffer from chronic infections. Intravenous immunoglobulin supports the body when it can’t make enough antibodies to fight infection by stopping your white blood cells from destroying your red blood cells. Administered via injection, we treat low immunity patients with intravenous immunoglobulin every three to four weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the major components of a competent human immune system?
There are four key components we examine when looking at the immune system.
1. Antibody mediated B-cell immunity
2. Cell-mediated T-cell immunity
3. Innate immunity by phagocytosis (cell destruction due to functional abnormalities)
4. Complement system- inherent immune system that contains a host of proteins that methodically disarm an invading contagion leading to its self-destruction.
What are the hallmarks of a competent and strong immune system?

A competent and strong immune system is represented by a functioning B-cell immunity, competent T-cell immunity and innate immunity that allows for destruction of invading organisms by activation of the complement system (inherent immune system that contains a host of protein that methodically disarms an invading contagion leading to it’s self-destruction)

If these are left unguarded, invading organisms or agents can produce infection and disease leading to death of the invaded organism.
What makes me think I have a weak immune system?

A recurrent theme of having constant infections despite antibiotic use, and / or a constant assault by various bacterial, viral, fungal, protozoal or other contagions.

These conditions mandate an immunological evaluation of competency of one’s immune system.

Eosinophilic Esophagitis or Esophagus inflammation

Eosinophilic esophagitis is a chronic immune condition that results in the inflammation of the esophagus, the conduit of smooth muscle that connects the throat to the stomach. Eosinophils are a type of white blood cells normally present in the digestive tract, but in the case of eosinophilic esophagitis, they multiply significantly causing inflammation or difficulty swallowing.

The FDA recently approved the first medicine to treat this condition just recently in September 2020 known as Dupilumab – a monoclonal antibody given by subcutaneous injection to safely treat this condition.

CAUSES

Environmental Allergies
Food Allergies
Acid Reflux

SYMPTOMS

Difficulty Swallowing
Food Impaction
Chest Pain

Sinus Infections

Sinuses are large hollow spaces around the nasal passage internally which are normally filled with air. Viruses, bacteria and allergens can lead to the infection and blockage of the nasal passage. During a sinus infection, inflammation blocks the nasal passages, preventing drainage secondary to built-up mucus.

CAUSES

Infection
Allergies
Sinus Irritation
Nasal Polyps

SYMPTOMS

Sinus Pressure
Nasal Congestion
Headache

Flying Insect Allergies

An insect sting usually causes redness and swelling at the site of the insect sting. Although in some cases the poisonous venom (aka Hymenoptera Venom) may cause an overreaction of the immune system leading to a severe allergy that can be life-threatening.

CAUSES

Honey Bees
Yellow Hornet, White Faced Hornets
Wasps
Yellow Jackets
Fire Ants

SYMPTOMS

Hives
Difficulty Breathing
Itchiness
Flushing
Swelling In Areas Away from the Sting
Dizziness or a Sharp Drop In Blood Pressure

TESTING & TREATMENT

Testing

Testing

This is performed in the clinic by scratch testing to flying insect hymenoptera venom as well as graded intradermal skin testing at various dilutions. Usually RAST testing for Honeybee IgE, Hornet species IgE, Wasp IgE, Yellow Jacket IgE and Fire Ant IgE may also be performed prior to skin testing. You are recommended to do Skin testing to avoid possible false negatives on blood testing.

Treatment

Treatment

The desensitization treatment protocol to hymenoptera venom is a graded escalation of dose of flying insect antigen/ venom of Honey Bee, Yellow Jacket, Wasp , Yellow Hornet, White faced hornet on a weekly basis for 16 weeks then once a month at a maintenance dose administered subcutaneously.

Treatment with this desensitization process prevents death due to accidental sting by a venomous flying insect. The patient still carries an Epi-pen for emergencies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the first three treatments administered to someone having an allergic reaction to a flying insect bite / sting ?

Epinephrine, Epinephrine, Epinephrine
What are some of the avoidance techniques to prevent an insect sting?
1. Avoid wearing bright and light colored clothes that could attract bees.
2. Avoid wearing scents and perfumes.
3. Wear gloves and long pants while working in gardens
4. Avoid drinking out of uncovered open soda cans left outside
5. Wear shoes, long pants while walking in the grass fields.
6. Use insecticides specially designed to kill hymenoptera
How effective is Hymenoptera venom immunotherapy?
1. The rate of protection varies depending on the maintenance dose and whether the immunotherapy is for vespid (yellowjacket, white faced hornet, yellow hornet) or honeybee.
2. At the usual maintenance dose of 100 µg once a month approximately 98% of adults and children on vespid immunotherapy have clinical protection.
3. The clinical protection for honeybee is reported to be 80%
References:

1- Golden DBK: Epidemiology of allergy to insect venoms and stings. Allergy Proceedings 10:103–107, 1989

2- . Golden DBK, Marsh DG, Freidhoff DR, et al. Natural history of Hymenoptera venom sensitivity in adults. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1997;100:760–766. [PubMed: 9438483]

Press & News

Press, Videos

May 4, 2023

Sniffing Out the Cause and Treatments for a Rough Allergy Season

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Skin Health
Allergies
Asthma
Immune Health
COVID-19

Our Expertise

Skin Health

Hives, eczema, psoriasis, acne, angioedema (acute skin swelling), drug rashes, fungal rashes, dry irritated skin and other frustrating skin conditions can have an adverse effect on more than just your skin. These conditions can greatly affect the way you live your life, how you feel about yourself, and confidence in doing the things you love both indoors as well as outdoors.

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Our Expertise

Allergies

Allergies can be seasonal, environmental, or a reaction to something you or your child has ingested. When an allergen has entered the body, the body defends itself by releasing a chemical called a histamine, that can result in common reactions like sneezing, a runny nose, watery eyes, or in more severe cases, breathing problems and anaphylaxis (severe allergic reactions).

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Our Expertise

Asthma

Asthma is mostly an allergic lung condition that inflames and narrows the airways, making breathing difficult. Asthma is episodic with acute flare-ups followed by symptom-free periods. Most asthma attacks are short-term, lasting minutes to hours and may be fatal if not controlled in a timely manner. Dr. Buddiga’s goal is to help you achieve optimal control of your asthma.

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Our Expertise

Immune Health

Chronic infections that last or consistently flare up can be an indication that your immunity needs some attention. Intravenous or subcutaneous immunoglobulin supports the body when it can’t make enough antibodies to fight infection. Dr. Buddiga treats patients through strengthening their immunity by building them a personal IMMUNE FIREWALL®️ of T-cell Immune-regulation and Immunoglobulin G4 antibody protection through immunomodulation (allergy desensitization shots or home-use customized oral Allergy drops).

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Our Expertise

COVID-19

We at BUDDIGA Family Allergy Skin Immunology have taken an active role in educating both domestic and international physicians and patients on diagnosis / testing / vaccines & care for this contagion. This was accomplished by having educational segments on television nationally, webinars internationally as well as locally. We also were a major vaccine delivery, counseling & reporting site for the CDC, FDA , California Department of Public Health and testing site for COVID-19 in Central California serving nearly a 2 million population base.

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