Your HMF specialist in this area is Flora Abrahamian, M.D. She sees patients at our specialty office in Pasadena. Call 626/397-8323 for an appointment. Download the brochure on allergy, asthma, and immunology.
If you are scheduled to see Dr. Abrahamian for the first time, please download and complete the allergy questionnaire and bring it to your first appointment.
Don’t let allergies and asthma control your life
Do any of these examples sound familiar?
• A parent is anxious at a birthday party because his or her child has egg allergy.
• A young woman gets embarrassed on dates because she can’t stop sneezing and wiping her nose due to hay fever.
• A middle-aged man is tired of missing work because of his asthma attacks.
• A senior citizen is frustrated at the constant itchy skin brought on by hives.
• A family adopts a kitten, but quickly discovers their son is allergic to cats. They wonder if allergy shots could help.
Although many conditions are chronic and may not be completely cured, an allergist can reduce your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
If you have allergies or asthma, you’re not alone…
Allergic diseases affect as many as 50 to 60 million people in the United States, and the prevalence is increasing. A nationwide survey found that more than half (54.6%) of all Americans test positive to one or more allergens.
Asthma is on the rise as well. It affects 22 million Americans, including 6.5 million children. In fact, asthma is the third ranking cause of hospitalization among children under age 15. It accounts for 10 million lost work days and 13 million lost school days every year.
Allergies and asthma often occur together. Approximately 70% of asthmatics also have allergies. Youngsters with food allergies are two to four times more likely to have asthma and other allergies.
But there’s good news as well.
Allergy shots help decrease hay fever symptoms in 80 to 85% of people with allergic rhinitis. In some cases, shots can prevent children with nasal allergies or other risk factors from developing asthma.
What are allergy shots?
Allergen immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots, is a form of long-term treatment that decreases symptoms for many people with allergic rhinitis, allergic asthma, conjunctivitis (eye allergy) or stinging insect allergy. The shots work like a vaccine. We inject a specific allergen in gradually increasing doses, and your body responds by developing immunity or tolerance to the allergen. Allergy shots decrease your sensitivity to allergens and often lead to lasting relief of symptoms even after treatment is stopped. For many people, immunotherapy is an affordable, effective treatment. Who needs to see an allergist? The HMF Center for Pediatric and Adult Allergy and Asthma treats adults and children of all ages, including those:
• with hay fever symptoms that are not adequately controlled.
• who want testing to discover what they are allergic to.
• who are interested in allergy shots.
• who have asthma that is not adequately controlled, or is triggered by allergies.
• who frequently miss school or work due to asthma.
• who have frequent urgent care or ER visits due to asthma.
• with other conditions such as food allergies, hives, angioedema (swelling), penicillin allergy, etc.
Comprehensive treatment to improve your quality of life
Our goal is to improve the lives of our patients. Services include:
• Comprehensive history and physical exam
• Skin testing for environmental and food allergies
• Skin testing for penicillin allergy
• Spirometry (breathing test) for asthma
• Immunotherapy (allergy shots)
• Education on environmental control measures
• Education on the correct technique for using inhalers, nasal sprays, epi-pens, etc.
Once we identify your triggers, you’ll learn how to prevent exposure to these allergens. We’ll review the best treatment options for your specific situation and monitor your progress over time.
About Flora Abrahamian, M.D.
Flora Abrahamian, M.D., received her B.A. in Biochemistry at Occidental College and her medical degree at UCLA School of Medicine.
She completed her Internal Medicine residency at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and a fellowship in Allergy & Immunology at UC Irvine. After completing her training, Dr. Abrahamian worked at the Allergy Department in Kaiser Permanente Downey Medical Center. There she treated patients with various allergic conditions, as well as complex immune disorders.
At HMF, her focus is patient-centered care to improve the lives of allergy and asthma sufferers. In addition, she works with the Pasadena Community Asthma Program (PCAP) and Huntington Memorial Hospital to expand asthma outreach in our community.
Dr. Abrahamian speaks English, Armenian, and Spanish.