Primera Medical Group, Inc.
Visit any one of our convenient locations in Georgia and Florida. (Centers coming soon to Alabama and Pennsylvania)
Corporate Office
800 Virginia Ave, Suite 200
Hapeville, Georgia 30354
Phone: (770) 938-2625
Fax: (404) 549-3393
map/directions
To Schedule an Allergy Appointment, Call One of Our Convenient Locations:
**GEORGIA LOCATIONS:
1) Atlanta Physicians Group / South Atlanta Allergy: (770) 938-2625
(Atlanta and surrounding areas)
**FLORIDA LOCATIONS:
1) West Pasco Medical Centers, LLC: (727) 807-7932 (Contact - Nicholas Esposito)
(Tampa / New Port Richey)
2) kissimmee Primary Care Center, LLC: (727) 801-8008 (Contact - Nicholas Esposito)
(Orlando / Kissimmee)
3) Gainesville Medical Centers, LLC: (352) 505-9355 (Contact - Tony Hernandez / Sarah Ruff)
(Gainesville / Ocala) (WELL)
Request an appointment online
Primera Medical Group provides airborne allergy testing and immunotherapy, as well as food sensitivity allergy testing.
We test adults and children over the age of 2 years for the top 50 airborne allergies and molds specific to Georgia and Florida. Once we identify what you are allergic to, we provide customized immunotherapy to help you increase your resistance and decrease your symptoms.
We also conduct food sensitivity tests for 154 various foods, along with an explanation of the results, a nutritional plan and guidance. Symptoms of food allergies may include headaches, weight gain and gastrointestinal issues. Request an appointment online or call one of our convenient locations to schedule your preferred appointment for allergy testing at Primera Medical Group
About Airborne Allergies
Allergic reactions occur when the immune system overreacts to a normally non-threatening substance called allergens, such as dust, grass, cat or dog dander or pollen. There are many allergens and types of allergic reactions. Getting tested to find out what you are allergic to is the first step in an allergy prevention plan.
Airborne Allergy Symptoms
- Runny nose
- Clogged nose
- Sneezing
- Watery eyes
- Coughing
- Itchy eyes, nose, throat, or skin
- Dark circles under the eyes (caused by increase blood flow to the sinuses)
About Food Allergies
For some people, an allergic reaction to a particular food may be uncomfortable but not severe. For other people, an allergic food reaction can be frightening and even life-threatening. Food allergy symptoms usually develop within a few minutes to two hours after eating the offending food. Food allergies can occur even the first time you eat a food.
The most common food allergy symptoms include:
- Tingling or itching in the mouth
- Hives, itching or eczema
- Swelling of the lips, face, tongue and throat, or other parts of the body
- Wheezing, nasal congestion or trouble breathing
- Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting
Anaphylaxis
In some people, a food allergy can trigger a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. This can cause life-threatening symptoms, including:
- Constriction and tightening of airways
- A swollen throat or the sensation of a lump in your throat that makes it difficult to breathe
- Shock, with a severe drop in blood pressure
- Rapid pulse
- Dizziness, lightheadedness or loss of consciousness
Emergency treatment is critical for anaphylaxis. Untreated, anaphylaxis can cause a coma or death.
Exercise-induced food allergy
Some people have an allergic reaction to a food triggered by exercise. Eating certain foods may cause you to feel itchy and lightheaded soon after you start exercising. In serious cases, an exercise-induced food allergy can cause reactions such as hives or anaphylaxis. Not eating for a couple of hours before exercising and avoiding certain foods may help prevent this problem.
Pollen-food allergy syndrome
In many people who have hay fever, fresh fruits and vegetables and certain nuts and spices can trigger an allergic reaction that causes the mouth to tingle or itch. In some people, pollen-food allergy syndrome — sometimes called oral allergy syndrome — can cause swelling of the throat or even anaphylaxis. This is an example of cross-reactivity. Proteins in fruits and vegetables cause the reaction because they're similar to those allergy-causing proteins found in certain pollens. For example, if you're allergic to ragweed, you may also react to melons; if you're allergic to birch pollen, you may also react to apples. Cooking fruits and vegetables can help you avoid this reaction. Most cooked fruits and vegetables generally don't cause cross-reactive oral allergy symptoms.
Common cross-reactivity between pollens and fruits and vegetables:
| If you are allergic to |
Birch pollen |
Ragweed pollen |
Grasses |
Mugwort pollen |
| You may also have a reaction to: |
Apples
Carrots
Celery
Hazelnuts
Peaches
Pears
Raw potatoes |
Bananas
Melons
(cantaloupe, honeydew and watermelon) Tomatoes
|
Tomatoes |
Apples
Carrots
Celery
Kiwi fruit
Peanuts
Some spices (caraway seeds, parsley, coriander, anise seeds, fennel seeds) |
When to see a doctor
See a doctor or allergist if you have food allergy symptoms shortly after eating. If possible, see your doctor when the allergic reaction is occurring. This will help your doctor make a diagnosis.
Seek emergency treatment if you develop any signs or symptoms of anaphylaxis, such as:
- Constriction of airways that makes it difficult to breathe
- Shock, with a severe drop in blood pressure
- Rapid pulse
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
How is Allergy Testing Performed?
Allergy testing for airborne allergies involves receiving several small scratches on the skin with small samples of possible allergens. If you are allergic to an allergen, your skin will react with a small bump. Blood may be tested for anti-bodies.
The food sensitivity allergy test involves a single venipuncture (blood draw) and is sent to our affiliated lab to be analyzed. The lab will analyze tolerance levels for 154 different foods and chemicals. Once the results are received, you will come in for a follow up visit to consult with the physician. A complete analysis, including nutrition, dietary plans and guides will be presented during your follow up visit.
Please note that you can have food and airborne testing performed on the same day. All insurances are verified prior to scheduling an appointment.
Immunotherapy
You can avoid allergic reactions by avoiding the allergens that trigger your allergy attacks; however, you may not be able to avoid everything. Immunotherapy can help make your system less sensitive to allergens, which can help reduce symptoms. With immunotherapy, you will receive a soft immunization of a customized solution containing a small amount of the substances that you are allergic to. Overtime, immunotherapy can help build up your immune system to greatly decrease or even eliminate a noticeable reduction in allergy symptoms.
Immunotherapy requires a commitment to weekly soft immunizations over the period of many months or years. Most insurance plans cover allergy testing and immunotherapy. We will verify your insurance benefits prior to testing.
Download our Allergy Brochure.
Learn more about allergies in our Patient Education Library.