SERVICES – ALLERGIES
The services of the clinic regarding the comprehensive treatment and management of allergic diseases
In our allergy clinic in Athens, we apply diagnostic and therapeutic methods based on evidence-based medicine.
From the very first appointment, Maria Pasioti aims to deeply understand the uniqueness of each patient, whether child or adult.
Therefore, each of the clinic's services, from the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of allergies, is tailored to the individual needs of each case.
Prevention
Allergies don't appear suddenly. They are developing gradually, and that gives us the opportunity to intervene..
The prevention of allergic diseases begins with the proper skin care for infants with atopic predisposition, continues with the timely and safe introduction of foods during infancy, and is reinforced by being constantly updated and through environmental management. Avoiding the excessive use of disinfectants, uptake of antibiotics, or sterilizing everyday life is just as important as the care itself.
Our goal: To restrict the development of new allergies before treatment is needed.
Diagnosis
A proper treatment starts with the right diagnosis. And diagnosis starts with the patient’s history.
Allergies can manifest in various ways, such as in the respiratory system, the skin, the gastrointestinal system, or even systemically (e.g., anaphylaxis). Our goal is to identify not only the stimulus, but also the exact mechanism that triggers it, so that the treatment is effective.
Depending on the symptoms, we use the appropriate allergy tests. The correct interpretation of this data, always in conjunction with the patient's history, is the most critical step.
- Skin Prick Tests:
A small amount of the allergen is placed on the patient's forearm and a skin prick is performed. The procedure is painless, safe, and suitable for all ages. The results are extracted immediately (within 20 minutes).
- Intradermal Tests:
They are primarily used to investigate drug allergies and allergies to insect venoms (bee, wasp venom). A small amount of an allergen is injected under the skin. The results are usually extracted within 15-30 minutes and in some cases a re-evaluation is performed within 24 or 48 hours.
- Patch Tests:
They are used to diagnose allergic contact dermatitis, as well as some drug and food allergies. Allergens are placed on the patient's back with special stickers and remain there for 48 hours. The evaluation is performed 48 and 72 hours after the test in order to identify the presence of delayed skin reactions.
- Respiratory function assessment (Spirometry):
Spirometry is an easy, painless, and quick test that measures the function of the respiratory system, and is particularly useful for diagnosing and monitoring allergic asthma. During the examination, the patient breathes through a mouthpiece connected to the spirometer.
- Natural urticaria reproduction tests:
Depending on the clinical suspicion, tests such as the cold test (ice cube test), the pressure test, the heat test, the cholinergic provocation test (through exercise or a warm bath), or a dermographism test are applied. The correct reproduction of the stimulus, under controlled conditions, is crucial for the diagnosis.
- Provocation tests:
A provocation test can confirm or rule out an allergy diagnosis in cases where the rest of the evaluation methods are unclear. The allergen is administered to the patient in a controlled manner under continuous medical supervision. They are used in the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis, food allergies, and drug allergies.
Everything is interpreted in conjunction with the complete history of the patient, and not individually.
Treatment – Therapeutic Approach
Our goal is to regulate the immune system and restore balance through a holistic approach that includes:
- Οral immunotherapy - OIT:
It is an innovative treatment for persistent food allergies (milk, eggs, nuts, etc.). The patient receives small, gradually increasing doses of the allergen, in a controlled, safe, and medically supervised manner. The goal is to achieve clinical tolerance and protection from accidental exposure.
It reduces fear, enhances liberty, and restores quality of life.
- Biological Agents – Monoclonal Antibodies:
These are personalized treatments that target specific pathways of the immune system. They are intended for patients with severe or resistant forms of allergic diseases, such as:
- Allergic or eosinophilic asthma
- Chronic spontaneous urticaria
- Atopic dermatitis
These medications are effective in reducing flare-ups and symptoms, are well-tolerated, and are usually administered by injection, once a month or every 2–4 weeks
Their administration is based on indications, history and specific laboratory parameters.
- Specific Immunotherapy (Desensitization):
It is the only causal treatment for allergies related to: pollen, dust mites, animal epithelial tissues, or hymenoptera stings (wasp – bee). It is administered by injection or sublingually, depending on the allergen and compliance, and stimulates the human body so that it “redefines” its tolerance. It requires time, consistency, and monitoring, but it offers a remarkable reduction in symptoms and long-term benefits.
It does not cover all allergies, but where indicated, it consists a key point of treatment.
- Medication:
A targeted and personalized treatment, for the immediate relief from allergic symptoms.
Medication is not an end in itself – but a tool-part of a larger treatment plan.
- Education of the Patient, Environmental Intervention and Avoidance of Allergens:
Avoiding allergens does not mean “living in a sterile bubble”; it means making smart adjustments to reduce unnecessary exposures that trigger the immune system. Recommendations are personalized based on:
- The type of allergy (dust mites, animal hair, pollen, food allergens, mold, etc.)
- The living environment (home, school, work, countryside)
- The age and activities of the patient
The intervention may include practical changes such as: using the appropriate mattress/pillow covers, reducing humidity in mold-prone areas, re-educating of the patient on how to read food labels, proper pet management, and, where appropriate, introducing gradual tolerance through immunotherapy.
Our goal is not to stay away from everyday life, but to balance it with the patient’s immune system.
«About Allergy»: For Children and Families
Childhood allergies: The body is growing.
Along with the body understanding also grows.
Childhood allergies don't just affect children. They are a family affair, with challenges in everyday life, psychology, nutrition, school, and play.
We listen to the concerns of the parents, analyze the history with sensitivity, and adapt the diagnostic and therapeutic plan to the needs of each age group.
We provide specialized services for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases in infants, toddlers, children and adolescents.
We provide precise information, an action plan and science-based answers, not fear-based ones.
A child is not a “little adult”; children need a language, paces and choices that respect their uniqueness.
Examples of allergic cases that we treat:
- Atopic dermatitis and family predisposition
- Allergies of the respiratory system (rhinitis, allergic asthma)
- Food allergies and introduction of various foods in infancy
- Anaphylaxis and management of emergencies
- Management of allergies at school / nursery school
- Training in the use of self-injectable epinephrine
- A printed “action plan” is provided for use in school