The human body is one of the most complex biological organisms ever to exist. It is only in the last century that its deep secrets have started to be revealed. What a wonderful time to be a doctor! We get to study all the new knowledge that has been gained, to understand ourselves how this amazing body works. And best of all, we get to apply our knowledge to treat the diseases that affect our fellow human beings.

One of the most complex parts of the new knowledge of the body is the understanding of the immune system. How do we resist infections? How do antibodies work? Why does the body sometimes turn against itself, so that its own antibodies seem to think that part of their own body is what we call a “foreign body,” rather than part of itself?

These are the kind of things we deal with when we deal with allergy, with immunology, and with rheumatology. Allergy occurs when the body reacts to something in a way that makes the body itself uncomfortable – to itch, to get red, to produce mucus, to produce hives, to produce other unwanted swellings. One of the most troublesome and common diseases with an allergic basis is asthma – this is a real concern of ours. The body can be producing too much immunity. On the other hand, sometimes the body doesn’t have enough immunity – the so-called immune deficiency states. And sometimes the body turns against itself to produce the rheumatic diseases – lupus, some types of arthritis, etc. These are the conditions that we study and treat in this wonderful field of allergy/immunology/rheumatology.

While I enjoy learning more and more about these conditions, the most important thing is to treat my patients with the most modern, up to date knowledge and procedures, and to treat them with the best qualities of the traditional doctor – sensitivity, caring, reliability, and understanding that each patient is unique.

My training has been very specialized. I am particularly concerned with children, and I am Board Certified in Pediatrics, Board Certified in Allergy/Immunology, and Board Eligible in Pediatric Rheumatology. My training in allergy/immunology has been with both children and adults, so I can see both children and adults in my allergy/immunology practice.

Here are the most common services I provide:

• Immediate hypersensitivity skin testing (allergy testing)
• Subcutaneous immunotherapy (allergy shots) for airborne allergens
• Oral food challenges
• Diagnosis and management of immune deficiency problems
• Spirometry for asthma evaluations

And here are the most common allergy/immunology conditions I diagnose and treat:

• Allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
• Allergic conjunctivitis
• Asthma
• Food allergy (from anaphylaxis atopic dermatitis (eczema))
• Chronic urticaria (hives)
• Immune deficiency

Here are the most common pediatric rheumatic diseases I diagnose and treat:

• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis and chronic joint pain
• Spondyloarthropathies
• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Juvenile dermatomyositis
• Periodic fever syndromes

It should also be mentioned that very often, it just is not clear what the basic problem is, and much thought and some tests may be needed to find out. I welcome these diagnostic challenges.

I see patients in offices in Livermore, Walnut Creek, and Oakland. To make an appointment to see me, please click on the location you prefer, and call.

Steven J. Song, MD
Allergist/Immunologist
Pediatric Rheumatologist