Allergy/Immunology News

Dr. Kirsi Järvinen-Seppo Talks Food Allergy Awareness

Monday, May 11, 2026

Dr. Kirsi Järvinen-Seppo joined ARC Rochester to talk about protecting kids from food allergies. She talks about reducing risk and new treatment approaches.

Breastfed Babies’ Immune Cells Mature Faster in Farm Environments

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Asthma and other allergic conditions are a growing public health concern globally. Within the U.S., estimates suggest that 8 percent of school-aged children live with food allergies and must avoid milk, eggs, peanuts or other common triggers.

The environment is thought to play a significant role in the development of allergies. Researchers have found that children who live in industrial or urban environments have higher rates of asthma and allergies than those who live a rural or farming lifestyle.

Tracing the Origins of Allergy

Monday, April 13, 2026

In this rapid-fire episode on EMJ Podcast, Kirsi Järvinen-Seppo tackles key questions on infant immune development, common misconceptions around food allergy, and the early-life factors that shape allergic disease. She also highlights emerging research on maternal influences, breast milk immunology, and prevention strategies that could transform clinical practice.

Listen to EMJ Podcast's "Tracing the Origins of Allergy" episode.

Local Allergists Explain How to Combat Seasonal Allergies, Rochester named as "allergy capital"

Saturday, April 11, 2026

According to a report from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Rochester ranked 5th overall in the nation for “allergy capitals.”

Allergist and immunologist at the University of Rochester, Dr. Jessica Stern said, “Now is the time where people are coming to me saying, oh, my nose is stuffy, my eyes are itchy, I need some help.”

Dr. Kirsi Jarvinen-Seppo of Golisano Children’s Hospital explained why Rochester ranks so high as an allergy capital.

“We have a lot of pollen, a lot of access to allergists, but people are not using a lot of medications,” Jarvinen-Seppo said.

Eczema Breakthroughs Podcast: What Researchers are Talking About at AAAAI Allergy Conference

Friday, March 20, 2026

What to look out for in eczema moisturizers, why eczema babies have rosy red cheeks, and can allergies transfer to baby from breast milk? Dr. Kirsi Järvinen-Seppo and other researchers provide answers to these questions and more on the Global Parents for Eczema Research's Eczema Breakthroughs Podcast.

Listen to Episode 46: Hot off the press. What researchers are talking about at AAAAI Allergy Conference.

New Pediatric Allergy Clinic Opens at Clinton Crossings, Expanding Care for Children with Complex Allergies

Monday, February 2, 2026

The Division of Pediatric Allergy & Immunology at Golisano Children’s Hospital has opened a new, dedicated clinic space at Clinton Crossings, Building F, designed to support children and families seeking specialty allergy care.

Located at 2400 South Clinton Avenue, Building F, the new clinic provides the division with its first, fully sized permanent home, allowing the care team to better manage high demand, improve clinic flow, and expand key services.

Previously, the pediatric allergy team operated in temporary or shared clinical settings, including a former location at the Schottland YMCA. While those spaces allowed the team to meet patient needs, the new facility expands the number of dedicated rooms from seven to nine.

“We have always focused on delivering high-quality, evidence-based care for children with allergic conditions,” said Kirsi Järvinen-Seppo, M.D., Ph.D., chief of Pediatric Allergy & Immunology. “This new clinic finally gives us the space we need to care for patients more efficiently and thoughtfully.”

In addition to more exam rooms, the new space includes an observation area that allows multiple procedures to take place simultaneously. With these improvements, the team can serve a higher volume of patients and follow-ups while also increasing access to specialized procedures such as oral food challenges, oral immunotherapy, and drug challenges.

The new facility also allows the division to resume spirometry and pulmonary function testing, an essential component of asthma care that had been unavailable for several years due to space limitations.

“Being able to bring pulmonary function testing back into our clinic is a meaningful improvement for families managing asthma,” Järvinen-Seppo said. “It allows us to provide more complete care during a single visit, rather than sending families elsewhere.”

The Division of Pediatric Allergy & Immunology provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment for children with asthma, food allergies, eczema, environmental allergies, immune deficiencies, and related conditions, working closely with families and referring providers across the region.

The University of Rochester Medical Center is a Center of Excellence for both the World Allergy Organization (WAO) and the Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE), as well as a GA2LEN ANACARE Anaphylaxis Care Center of Excellence.

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