All major allergies and immunological diseases are treated in The Jacqueline Maritz Lung Center, including asthma, allergic rhinitis (hay fever), chronic urticaria (hives), chronic sinusitis, drug allergies and antibody deficiencies. Washington University physicians are experienced in treating the most severe cases of asthma, as well as difficult to manage cases of hives and patients with rare antibody deficiencies that affect a very small portion of the population.Specialists in allergy / immunology take a special interest in providing information on environmental control to patients with asthma and hay fever so that they might better self-manage their disease. Comprehensive skin testing and blood tests are available to evaluate allergies. Patch testing, drug desensitization, and food and food additive challenges are available. Rhinoscopy also is performed to examine nasal passages. Treatments include antibody replacement therapy and immunotherapy (conventionally referred to as allergy shots).
Patients have access to investigational drug therapies through clinical trials conducted at The Asthma & Allergy Center at Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital if they wish.