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12 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • March 2018 ask the expert a sk t h e e x p e rt Q: What inspired you to become an allergist? I was fascinated by how mistakes made by our immune system could result in such serious and debili- tating medical conditions. Disturbances in the delicate balance of how our immune system interacts with our environment can result in a variety of problems. These problems are intellectually challenging to solve, but ultimately rewarding when I alleviate them for my patients. Over the past decade, a greater understand- ing of how our immune systems work has led to a renaissance in our field. This renaissance has resulted in an explosion in exciting new treatment options, which have been game-changers for folks suffering from certain forms of severe asthma, eczema and chronic hives. New research and innovations promise to further revolutionize how we treat, and ultimately prevent, many difficult problems that we manage. Q: What three things do you wish peo- ple knew about seasonal allergies? Environmental allergies to things such as pollen or animal dander occur as a result of our immune sys- tems mistakenly identifying them as dangerous and mounting an inflammatory response against them. Individuals with uncontrolled environmental allergies suffer from a disproportionate amount of ear infec- tions (children), sinusitis and bronchitis. Airborne allergens can also play a significant role in driving asthma and eczema. This is a result of allergens caus- ing inflammation as they are breathed into the lungs or come into contact with the skin. Springtime is at our door and in the air… literally. Let's face it: Open windows are glorious, but not if seasonal allergies make you miserable. Dr. Jonathan Mozena, our friend at Allergy Partners, is here with the scoop on seasonal allergies and tips on reducing allergens at home so that you can make the most of the season. INTERVIEWED BY BRENDA SAPANGHILA Q: Tell us a little about why Allergy Partners is so awesome for families. All of the physicians at Allergy Partners are board-certified in allergy/immu- nology and see both children and adults. The ability to see patients of all ages allows us a unique vantage point to better understand the natural history and progression of conditions, such as environmental allergies, atopic dermatitis (eczema) and asthma. It is not unusual for us to see an infant, a patient in their 80s, and every age in between all in the same day. Most of our staff has been with us for years and has a tremendous amount of experience in both testing patients for allergies and asthma, as well as educating patients and their families about how to optimally manage their medical conditions. "New research and innovations promise to further revolutionize how we treat, and ultimately prevent, many difficult problems that we manage." FREDERICKSBURG 511 Park Hill Rd Fredericksburg, VA 22401 540-371-5660 MASSAPONAX 4710 Spotsylvania Pkwy Fredericksburg, VA 22407 540-322-4954 STAFFORD 12 PGA Dr., Suite 101 Stafford, VA 22554 540-288-0942 ALLERGY PARNTERS LOCATIONS