Allergology in Tijuana

Allergology is the branch of medicine that deals with the study, diagnosis, and treatment of allergies. Allergies are the immune system’s response to substances that can be harmful to the human body (allergens). Allergens can be found in the air, certain foods, everyday objects, drugs, and pets. 

A doctor who specializes in the treatment of allergies is called an allergist, while a scientist who studies allergology is called an allergologist. They can examine allergic pulmonary and skin diseases in both children and adults. In addition, they are able to examine the ear, nose, and throat diseases that are related to allergic problems. Allergist usually works with other specialists, such as ENT (ear, nose, and throat) doctors, dermatologists, internists, or gynecologists. Some of the most common allergy that allergists can help treat include:

• Food allergies (such as peanuts, cow’s milk protein, meat, and fruit)
• Animals (such as insects and feathered or furry animals)
• Dust mites (tiny bugs that can be found in dust in carpets, mattresses, and furniture)
• Pollens (trees, grasses, herbaceous plants)
• Latex
• Mould
• Certain metals
• Sun.

The specialty of adult allergology focuses on the treatment of atopic eczema and urticaria, asthma and obstructive pulmonary diseases, chronic maxillary sinusitis, allergic eye symptoms, as well as drug and food allergies. Pediatric allergology concentrates on treating atopic eczemas and asthma in children of all ages, in addition to food allergies and other types of allergies.

Allergists can perform a wide range of tests and procedures, including:

• Allergy skin testing, including prick skin testing and intradermal skin testing
• Food challenges
• Aspirin desensitization
• Blood tests
• Physical exam
• Spirometry (lung function tests)
• Medication/drug challenge
• Patch testing
• Allergy shots
• Prescribing medications, such as emergency epinephrine and antihistamine.

How Long Should I Stay in Tijuana?

You should be able to leave the clinic or hospital on the same day as your allergy test or treatment. However, it is advisable that you stay at least 2 to 3 days after an allergy test to wait for the results. You will need to visit your allergist who will explain the results to you and discuss the best treatment option. If you need allergy shots, you usually require them every 2 to 4 weeks for 4 to 5 months. You can choose to travel multiple times or stay in Tijuana until the whole treatment is finished.

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

There is little to no recovery times after allergy tests or treatments. You should be able to resume your normal activities as soon as you do not experience symptoms that interfere with your ability to perform your daily activity.

What Aftercare is Required?

Your doctor will give you instructions to prevent an allergic reaction from happening in the future, which usually includes avoiding your allergens. In some cases, they will give you an emergency epinephrine autoinjector and teach you how to use it. Make sure to keep the product near you at all times. You may also be advised to let your family, friends, or those closest to you know where you keep the epinephrine and how to use it. 

What's the Success Rate?

Diagnosis and treatment of allergy are becoming more successful and safer now thanks to the continuous advancement of allergology. For example, around 85% of people who receive regular allergy shots for 3 to 5 years, experience permanent results. Medicines can also control the symptoms much better now. However, some types of treatments do have side effects and risks, such as reactions that appear as hives at the site of the injection, redness, nasal congestion, sneezing, and itchy skin.

Are there Alternatives?

In most cases, you will need to see an allergist diagnose and treat allergy, but you can also see an immunologist as the alternative. If your symptoms are found to be caused by other problems unrelated to allergy, your allergist will refer you to the relevant specialist. 

Allergology in and around Tijuana

About Tijuana

Americans travel every year in good numbers to Mexico to get specialized medical care. There are many reasons for this.

• Shorter waiting time for tests and procedures.
• Excellent technical expertise and world-class facilities
• It is less expensive than well-known hospitals in other countries
• Excellent aftercare.
• The Doctors are well qualified and experienced

Mexico attracts a lot of Americans for Medical tourism as well as people from all over the world as they get offered a good value package that combines the best medical treatment with a great vacation at a fraction of the price.

Tijuana is one such favorite destination in Mexico. It is the sixth-largest Mexican city and the largest in the state of Baja California. It has some excellent health centers that will rival any big hospital elsewhere. Some of the more common and popular surgeries that people undergo in Tijuana are Breast Augmentation, Weight Reduction, Botox treatment, and other elective surgeries.

Popular Areas in Tijuana

• The city has a very complex history and you can experience some of it by visiting the cultural center called CECUT.
• Trompo Interactive Museum can be a great place for some interactive fun for adults and children.
• A unique place to visit is the wall constructed between Tijuana Beach and Border Field State Park in San Diego. This is a strange sight and you may not want to miss this.
• La Caja is a famous art gallery that showcases the artwork of domestic and international artists.
• El Popo Market, Casino Caliente, and Catedral de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe are some of the other popular attractions of this city.
• People relish the local cuisine that consists of tacos. Food trucks and artisanal beer are also common and there are many different types of cuisines available.

Weather and Climate in Tijuana

The climate is semi-dry and akin to the Mediterranean climate. The weather remains mild throughout the year. Between November and March, there is a lot of rain and thunderstorms are common during this period. August and September are the hottest months. January is usually the coldest and Rain filled month.

Summer is the driest period. The temperature may range from 13.6 °C (56.5 °F) in the cold months to 33 °C (91 °F) during summer.

Getting around in Tijuana

Tijuana International Airport is the main airport and it serves many purposes. It is the hub for two major airlines that carry travelers to other domestic airports in Mexico. Volaris is a low-cost carrier while Aeroméxico is the flagship carrier of the country. It is also known for the Cross Border Xpress bridge that connects it to San Diego in the US. Passengers coming from the US can walk across the bridge and enter Mexico, then take a flight onwards. This airport also connects China, the USA, and many domestic airports in Mexico. Anyone can come to Tijuana directly or via the San Diego airport on the US side of the border.

There are two major highways that connect Tijuana to other cities of the country. People can take a bus connecting the city to the US and its domestic bus stations. U.S.-based Greyhound Lines and Crucero are famous. Domestic services such as Azul y Blanco de Magallanes and Transporte Efectivo Express de Tijuana operate from two different terminals in the city.

You can also opt for shared fixed-route station wagons, fixed-route taxis (somewhat expensive), and buses for local commuting. Apart from these, taxis without a fixed route, are also available. There is a Rapid transit system of buses (BRT) working particular routes now.

Tourist Visas in Tijuana

A tourist or a business traveler will need different types of visas to enter Mexico. The tourist visa is valid for six months. You can also get a visa for multiple entries or to extend your stay.

Citizens of some countries like the US, UK, and Canada do not need a visa to stay in Mexico. People who have a valid multiple entry visa for the US or the Schengen visa or have a PR in Canada do not need a separate visa to visit Mexico.

However, your passport should have a minimum validity of six months from the date of entry. You will also have to prove your financial status for the grant of a visa.

Additional Information

1. The currency of Mexico is The Mexican peso (sign $). The usual rate of exchange with other currencies is approximately $20 to $21 per euro and $18 to $19 per U.S. dollar. As in any other big city, you can use credit cards almost everywhere in Tijuana. Smaller merchants, however, prefer cash. You can use a debit card at any ATM in the city to withdraw the local currency. Both credit card and debit cards will incur some nominal charges every time you make a transaction. Ensure you are carrying a minimum amount of Pesos when you enter the country in case of an emergency. Exchange your money in an official money exchange office and not in hotels or at the airport. Tipping is voluntary. People do tip after a meal in restaurants and the usual rate is 10%.
2. Spanish, commonly known as Mexican Spanish, is the City’s local language and the government recognizes more than 60 local languages. Along the northern border and in all tourist areas many people speak English as English is easy to understand and communicate for the people in Tijuana due to its location in the state of Baja California.
3. Tijuana also has a very active and independent artist community whose internationally recognized work has earned Tijuana the title of "one of the most important new cultural meccas", Tijuana has been the inspiration for Tijuana Brass and Los Tucanes de Tijuana and, more recently, the birthplace of Nortec music style and Ruidoson.
4. Some of the major public holidays are New Year’s Day (1st January), Labor Day (1st May), and Christmas (25th December). Good Friday and Maundy Thursday are optional holidays. Independence Day on the 16th September is also a significant holiday.