Allergies clarification and treatment

Allergies are now considered the number one environmental disease. The best treatment measures are clarification and avoidance of triggering allergens.

Innovative therapy options

Allergic diseases such as neurodermatitis, hay fever, asthma and food allergies are steadily increasing today. In our allergy ward we diagnose and treat allergies of all kinds comprehensively, with years of experience and at the same time according to the latest state of knowledge. Even if several organs are affected by an allergic reaction, we can treat our patients optimally. To achieve this, our highly specialized team works together with specialists from various fields. We offer a wide range of proven as well as highly innovative diagnostic and therapeutic options. Our patients also benefit from our infrastructure and knowledge networking.

Procedure for determining triggers of allergies and intolerances

  • Detailed survey
  • Determination of domestic (e.g. house dust mites), inhalation (pollen), food or drug allergens by means of a wide variety of skin tests and in some cases highly differentiated blood tests
  • Monitored ingestion of suspect foods, food additives, and medications, especially pain medications in increasing amounts (oral provocations)
  • Supervised administration of injected drugs (subcutaneous and intravenous provocations)
  • Lung function tests and exercise tests with physical factors (exertion, cold, methacholine)
  • Allergological laboratory tests such as determination of specific IgE (CAP), molecular allergy diagnosis (ISAC) leukotriene release (CAST) and important messenger substances (ECP, tryptase) and cell-mediated allergies (lymphocyte transformation test)

Treatment options for allergies and intolerances

  • Educational work to avoid allergen contact (e.g. dust mite remediation).
  • Conventional drug therapy (tablets, sprays, creams and ointments)
  • Specific immunotherapy (hyposensitization) with injections and tablets or drops
  • Education about the sense and nonsense of alternative methods in the clarification and treatment of allergies
  • In the presence of certain allergies, use of innovative treatments with so-called biologics that specifically inhibit individual messenger substances, e.g. for the treatment of severe allergic asthma, chronic urticaria, neurodermatitis and certain forms of mastocytosis.
  • Immunotherapy (hyposensitization) for bee and wasp venom allergy sufferers through initiation by means of a highly effective rapid procedure (Ultrarush desensitization) on one day; maintenance therapy then optionally on an outpatient basis at the family doctor’s office or at the allergy ward

Patient Organizations

Public event USZ-Forum: "Out of Breath - Recognizing and Treating Asthma

"Pulse" article: Corona protection despite allergies - to vaccinate or not?

Responsible Professionals

Marie-Charlotte Brüggen, Ph.D., Prof. Dr. med.

Senior Physician, Department of Dermatology

Tel. +41 44 255 11 11
Specialties: Allergology, in particular drug allergies, allergies to prostheses / metals, Atopic dermatitis/ neurodermatitis, Clinical research

Carole Guillet, Dr. med.

Attending Physician, Department of Dermatology

Tel. +41 44 255 11 11

Barbara Erni, Dr. med.

Attending Physician, Department of Dermatology

Tel. +41 43 253 73 78

Zara Liniger, Dr. med.

Attending Physician, Department of Dermatology
Attending Physician, Department of Immunology

Tel. +41 44 255 11 11
Specialties: Allergology

Larissa Meier, Dr. med.

Attending Physician, Department of Dermatology

Tel. +41 44 255 11 11
Specialties: Allergology

Patrick Schmithausen, Dr. med.

Attending Physician, Department of Dermatology

Tel. +41 44 255 11 11

Christina Weber, Dr. med.

Attending Physician, Department of Dermatology

Tel. +41 44 255 11 11
Specialties: Consultation hours for hereditary angioedema, Specialist in allergology, Clinical immunology and pediatrics

For Patients

Please submit a photo of the affected area of skin and fill out the short questionnaire. Within 24 hours on business days, you’ll receive a reliable diagnosis from our experts. Clicking the button will take you to our partner’s external platform, where you can securely enter your information. These are forwarded to the USZ in a secure manner for further evaluation.

About Online Counseling

Opening hours Desens

Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri

Pollen: 07:30 – 16:15
Insects: 07:30 – 15:30
Animals: 07:30 – 16:00

Do

Pollen: 07:30 – 14:30
Insects: 07:30 – 14:00
Animals: 07:30 – 14:15

For Referring Physicians

Simply refer your patient online.

Thank you very much for your referral. Please inform your patients that there is currently a waiting period of approximately 5 months.

Tel. +41 44 255 31 55
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Responsible Department