Allergy and Immunology

Persistent sneezing, itching, wheezing or repeated infections can affect sleep, work and everyday life. Allergy and immunology evaluates both allergic reactions and selected disorders of immune defence. The first objective is to understand the cause, rather than order the same tests for every patient.
MPGCARE coordinates specialist assessment through its cooperation with Medical Park and Liv Hospital in Türkiye. The treating team determines diagnosis, suitability and available services; MPGCARE supports appointments, communication and travel planning. Adult and paediatric referrals are arranged according to age and clinical needs.

Diseases and conditions assessed

The following overview explains common reasons for consultation. Symptoms overlap with other diseases, and a positive allergy test alone does not establish a diagnosis. The hospital confirms the appropriate specialist and any procedure before travel.

Disease / condition	Symptoms and assessment	Management approach
Allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis	Sneezing, nasal blockage and itchy or watery eyes may be seasonal or linked to indoor exposure. History guides targeted tests.	Relevant trigger reduction and prescribed treatment; selected patients may be considered for allergen immunotherapy.
Allergic asthma	Wheezing, night-time cough or breathlessness requires assessment of breathing and symptom control. Not all asthma is allergic.	Individual inhaled treatment, correct inhaler technique and an action plan, with pulmonology support where appropriate.
Atopic dermatitis (eczema)	Dry, inflamed, itchy skin is assessed for severity, infection and possible relevant triggers.	Skin-barrier care and tailored anti-inflammatory treatment; food restriction is not routine without evidence.
Urticaria and angioedema	Raised itchy wheals or swelling may recur. Chronic spontaneous urticaria often has no external allergen.	Identify the type, review medicines and use a stepped treatment plan. Tongue or throat swelling needs urgent care.
Food allergy	Reactions to milk, egg, nuts, sesame, fish or other foods are assessed against the actual exposure history.	Confirmed-trigger avoidance, nutritional support and emergency planning; specialist supervised challenge when indicated.
Drug allergy	Suspected reactions to antibiotics, painkillers or anaesthetic agents require the exact drug, timing and reaction details.	Selected testing or supervised challenge can clarify some allergy labels; alternatives and precautions are documented.
Insect venom allergy	A reaction beyond local swelling after a bee or wasp sting warrants risk assessment.	Prevention and an emergency plan; venom immunotherapy may be recommended for selected patients.
Anaphylaxis	A rapidly developing severe reaction may involve breathing difficulty, throat swelling or collapse.	Immediate emergency treatment, followed by specialist investigation and a written prevention plan.
Contact dermatitis and latex allergy	Delayed skin reactions to metals or cosmetics differ from immediate latex reactions.	Dermatology collaboration and appropriately selected patch or allergy tests, with exposure advice.
Primary and secondary immune deficiencies	Unusually severe, persistent or recurrent infections may justify assessment; ordinary frequent colds do not prove immune deficiency.	Targeted blood and immune tests; treatment and follow-up depend on the confirmed disorder and its cause.

How does the first consultation work?
The specialist reviews when symptoms started, their relationship to food, medicines, seasons and workplaces, previous emergency visits and family history. Bring reports, a medicine list, photographs of rashes and any discharge records. A symptom diary can help identify patterns. Other explanations, such as intolerance, infection or non-allergic rhinitis, are considered before choosing investigations.

Which allergy tests might be needed?
Skin-prick tests and allergen-specific IgE blood tests are selected according to the clinical question. Patch testing addresses certain delayed contact reactions. Respiratory tests may be needed for asthma; intradermal testing is reserved for particular indications. Sensitisation means the immune system recognises an allergen, but it does not automatically mean that exposure causes symptoms. Broad screening panels can produce misleading results.

Should I stop my medication before testing?
Some medicines, especially antihistamines, can affect certain skin tests. The clinic provides personalised preparation instructions once the test is selected. Do not stop prescribed medicines, including asthma treatment, on your own. Tell the team about pregnancy, heart disease, previous severe reactions and every medicine or supplement you use.

Food allergy, intolerance and IgG panels
An immune-mediated food allergy and an intolerance such as lactose intolerance are different conditions. Commercial food-IgG panels are not recommended for diagnosing food allergy or intolerance. Do not remove many foods solely on the basis of such a panel. Confirmed allergy requires an individual prevention plan; unnecessary exclusion diets can impair nutrition, particularly in children.

Are food and drug challenges safe?
A challenge involves planned exposure under medical supervision and is offered only after risk assessment, with emergency treatment available. It can help resolve diagnostic uncertainty in selected cases. It must never be attempted at home. Whether a challenge is appropriate, and how long observation lasts, depends on the reaction history and the substance concerned.

Who may benefit from allergen immunotherapy?
Selected patients with clinically relevant respiratory allergy or insect-venom allergy may be candidates. The specialist considers confirmed triggers, symptom burden, asthma control, other illnesses and the ability to attend follow-up. Treatment takes time and requires monitoring for reactions; it is not a single visit or a guaranteed permanent cure. Food-allergy treatment uses different specialist protocols and is not the same as routine allergy injections. Availability is confirmed by the hospital.

What if symptoms remain uncontrolled?
Persistent symptoms prompt review of the diagnosis, exposures, treatment adherence and technique. Some severe conditions may justify specialist biological treatment after assessment. These medicines are not appropriate for every allergy. Benefits, possible adverse effects, monitoring and alternatives are discussed before an individual plan is chosen.

How are immune deficiencies investigated?
The pattern and severity of infections, previous treatments, family history and medicines are reviewed. Tests may include blood counts, immunoglobulins and further immune-function studies when indicated. A primary disorder is distinguished from secondary causes. Immunoglobulin replacement or preventive treatment is considered only for an appropriate diagnosis; general “immune boosting” is not a substitute for investigation.

What should patients and families do in an emergency?
Sudden breathing difficulty, throat or tongue swelling, faintness or collapse may indicate anaphylaxis. Call the local emergency service immediately; in Türkiye call 112. If an adrenaline auto-injector has been prescribed, use it according to the action plan and device instructions. Do not wait for a clinic appointment, a message reply or travel to Türkiye. Family members should know the written plan and how to use the prescribed device.

Can children be assessed?
Yes, the referral must match the child’s age and the relevant paediatric specialty. Growth, nutrition, school safety and caregiver education matter alongside symptom control. Bring vaccination and growth records where relevant. Food exclusion or a change in treatment should be agreed with the child’s treating team.

How long will the visit and follow-up take?
A consultation and some tests may be arranged as outpatient care, but complex testing, challenges or immune investigations can require additional visits. Results may not be available on the same day. Long-term treatment, particularly immunotherapy, requires a continuity plan with clinicians in the home country. Travel dates should be agreed after the hospital reviews the case.

What information is needed for a personalised plan?
Send the patient’s age, main symptoms, previous diagnoses, reaction dates, test reports and current medicines through MPGCARE’s designated contact channel. After specialist review, we coordinate the proposed appointment and an itemised estimate. Additional tests, medicines and follow-up are clarified before booking. A preliminary document review does not replace an examination or guarantee a treatment recommendation.

Travel and patient coordination
MPGCARE offers free Sarp–Trabzon transfer for patients travelling by road and free airport–hospital transfer for patients arriving by air. Route, timing and accompanying-person arrangements are confirmed in advance. Appointment coordination and accommodation planning are discussed according to the patient’s needs.

Will treatment permanently cure every allergy?
No single treatment cures every allergic or immune disorder. The aim is an accurate diagnosis, safer daily life and better control through an individual plan. Response, duration and follow-up vary. The treating clinician explains realistic expectations and provides a written plan for ongoing care.

Patient information sources: AAAAI: allergic diseases · AAAAI: food IgG testing · NHS: anaphylaxis · NHS: clinical immunology