Allergology and Immunology at UMC — Lisbon and Porto
In-person consultations in Lisbon and Porto · online consultations · children and adults · with or without health insurance
The UMC Allergology and Immunology department helps identify exactly what your body is reacting to and find the right treatment — from simple recommendations to long-term allergen-specific immunotherapy and drug allergy testing. Consultations for children and adults are available in person in Lisbon and Porto, or online.
Skin Prick Tests
Skin prick tests are a fast and informative way to identify what the body is reacting to: tree and grass pollen, house dust mites, animal hair and dander, mould, individual foods, and other common allergens. The test is performed during the appointment, with results available within 15–20 minutes.
Allergen Blood Tests (IgE)
If skin prick testing isn't suitable for some reason — for example, if you're taking antihistamines, have significant skin conditions, or are a young child — the doctor may order a blood test for specific IgE antibodies, which shows sensitivity to particular allergens from a blood sample.
Drug Allergy Testing
If a drug allergy is suspected — including to antibiotics such as beta-lactams (penicillins and cephalosporins) — the doctor can perform skin tests with the suspected medication and, if needed, a drug provocation test: a controlled administration of the medication under medical supervision to confirm or rule out an allergy. This is particularly useful if your medical record carries an "antibiotic allergy" label without firm confirmation — such labels often restrict access to effective treatment without real grounds, and testing helps clarify the situation.
Allergen-Specific Immunotherapy (AIT)
For patients with a confirmed allergy to pollen, house dust mites, pets (including cats and dogs), or other allergens, the doctor may recommend allergen-specific immunotherapy — treatment with allergy injections (subcutaneous immunotherapy) or under-the-tongue drops/tablets (sublingual immunotherapy). This is the only treatment that addresses the cause of the allergy rather than just the symptoms, and it can provide long-term relief. The course lasts from several months to several years, and the UMC doctor manages the patient throughout treatment — from selecting the regimen to ongoing monitoring.
Management of Chronic Allergic Conditions
UMC doctors manage patients with asthma, atopic dermatitis, urticaria (hives), and angioedema — conditions that often require ongoing follow-up and treatment adjustment, rather than a single consultation, depending on the season, lifestyle, and other contributing factors.
Common Reasons Patients See an Allergist
- Seasonal allergies (hay fever) — runny nose, nasal congestion, watery eyes, itchy eyes at certain times of year
- Year-round allergic rhinitis — reactions to house dust mites, animal dander, mould
- Food allergies — reactions to specific foods, suspected hidden allergies
- Drug allergies — past reactions to medications, including antibiotics, with testing to confirm or rule out a diagnosis
- Insect sting allergies — risk assessment and future management
- Asthma — diagnosis, treatment selection and adjustment, follow-up
- Atopic dermatitis (eczema) — in children and adults, assessing triggers and selecting treatment
- Urticaria (hives) — acute and chronic, identifying the cause and selecting treatment
- Angioedema — assessing causes and managing recurrent episodes
- Frequent colds, sinusitis, and ear infections in children — assessing a possible allergic component
- Second opinions on allergy diagnoses and proposed treatment
What Happens During the Visit
- Taking your history — looking at how symptoms relate to season, environment, foods, household factors, and medications
- Skin prick tests — performed at the appointment, with results within 15–20 minutes
- Drug allergy testing — skin tests and provocation tests under medical supervision
- Ordering IgE blood tests — when needed
- Diagnosis and an explanation of exactly what your body is reacting to
- Treatment planning — medication, lifestyle recommendations, and immunotherapy where indicated
- Managing allergen-specific immunotherapy — selecting the regimen and monitoring throughout treatment
- Follow-up for chronic conditions — asthma, atopic dermatitis, urticaria, angioedema
