Services
Allergy Treatment
in Surfside
Same-day, physician-led care for allergic reactions, seasonal allergies, and anaphylaxis. Walk in seven days a week. On-site epinephrine, observation, and a clear plan before you leave.
Joint Commission AccreditedThe only one in Florida
Anaphylaxis is a 911 emergency
If a reaction involves any of the signs below, use an epinephrine auto-injector right away if you have one, then call 911. Do not drive yourself to urgent care.
- Trouble breathing or wheezing
- Throat or tongue swelling, or a sense of closing
- Widespread hives with vomiting
- Dizziness, fainting, or feeling of shock
- Voice change, stridor, or noisy breathing
- Rapidly spreading lip or face swelling
TrufaMED treats moderate reactions and initiates anaphylaxis treatment, but advanced airway management and continuous cardiac monitoring are emergency-room services. When a reaction is severe, the ambulance is the right call.
Can I walk in for an allergic reaction?
Yes. TrufaMED evaluates and treats allergic reactions on a walk-in basis, seven days a week, with a board-certified physician on shift every day. A seasonal allergy visit takes about 30 minutes. An acute reaction with hives or wheezing runs longer, because we observe you after treatment. Allergic reactions fall on a spectrum, from seasonal rhinitis that is annoying but safe, to hives that are uncomfortable but stable, to anaphylaxis that is life-threatening. A physician decides which category you are in and treats accordingly.
Why allergies hit harder in South Florida
Unlike most of the country, South Florida has no distinct allergy season. It has year-round exposure. Humidity, plant diversity, and an indoor-outdoor lifestyle keep allergens in circulation almost every month.
Year-round pollen
Tree pollen dominates late winter and early spring (live oak, pine, Australian pine, palm). Grass pollen peaks in spring and runs through fall. Weed and ragweed climb from late summer into November. Newcomers from up north are often surprised their seasonal allergies follow them here and stretch into a near-continuous pattern.
Humidity and mold
High humidity fuels outdoor mold in grass clippings, mulch, and standing water, and indoor mold in homes with HVAC or water-intrusion problems. Mold triggers the same respiratory symptoms as pollen but lasts most of the year, with counts spiking for 48 to 72 hours after rain.
Indoor triggers
Dust mites thrive in humid air, and cockroach allergen is a common, under-recognized trigger. Pet dander is amplified in closed, air-conditioned condos. Cleaning chemicals, fragrances, and smoke from neighboring units all add to the indoor burden.
Food and insect reactions
Florida has fire ants, bees, and wasps that can trigger severe reactions in sensitized people. Seafood is widely eaten here and a common food allergen. New adult-onset food reactions show up regularly, where a food eaten safely for years suddenly causes hives or swelling.
What allergic reactions look like
Allergic reactions affect more than the skin. The combination of symptoms tells us how serious the reaction is and how fast we need to move.
Common signs include raised itchy welts (hives), swelling of the lips, tongue, face, or eyelids (angioedema), itchy or watery eyes, nasal congestion and sneezing, cough or wheeze, throat tightness or a sense of closing, voice change, nausea or vomiting (with food allergy), lightheadedness or fainting, flushing, and in severe cases a sudden drop in blood pressure.
Any reaction that involves two or more body systems is treated as anaphylaxis until proven otherwise. For example: hives plus wheeze, lip swelling plus vomiting, or throat tightness plus dizziness. Single-system reactions (hives only, or nasal symptoms only) are usually not anaphylaxis, but they can evolve, so we reassess on arrival and monitor during your visit.
Timing matters. Anaphylaxis usually develops within minutes to two hours of exposure. A biphasic reaction, where symptoms return hours after the first treatment, happens in roughly 5 to 20 percent of cases. That is exactly why our physicians observe patients before discharge and send you home with clear return precautions.
Epinephrine first, in the right order
Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency. The window to treat is narrow and the order is specific. Our physicians start treatment the moment anaphylaxis is recognized, with the full kit already in the room.
Severe anaphylaxis with refractory low blood pressure, airway compromise, or failure to stabilize is transferred to the emergency department for advanced airway support and continuous monitoring. Escalation decisions are made early, not late.
Food, insect, medication, and new adult-onset
Allergic reactions come from predictable categories. Knowing the category helps predict severity and the risk of it happening again.
Food allergy
Peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, fish, eggs, milk, soy, wheat, and sesame. Reactions range from oral itching to anaphylaxis, usually within 30 minutes of eating.
Bee, wasp, fire ant
Insect-sting allergy can cause systemic anaphylaxis in sensitized people. Large local swelling at the sting is common and not dangerous. A true systemic reaction affects distant parts of the body.
Medication allergy
Antibiotics (penicillin, sulfa), NSAIDs, contrast dye, and anesthetics. Reactions can be immediate (anaphylaxis) or delayed (a rash days later). A careful history matters.
New adult-onset
A food eaten safely for decades triggers a reaction for the first time. This includes alpha-gal syndrome, a tick-bite-associated allergy to red meat. Testing and avoidance are needed.
Seasonal rhinitis
Hay fever and rhinoconjunctivitis: nasal, eye, and throat symptoms from pollen, mold, and dust mites. Disruptive but not anaphylactic.
Contact dermatitis
A rash from skin contact with an allergen such as poison ivy, nickel, latex, fragrances, or cosmetics. It stays where the skin touched the trigger, and we treat it with topical steroids.
Seasonal, acute, and anaphylactic reactions
Severity decides urgency, treatment, and where you go from here. Here is what each category looks like and what we do about it.
| Category | Hallmark signs | What we do |
|---|---|---|
| Seasonal allergic rhinitis | Sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes, runny nose, post-nasal drip, no systemic signs. | Intranasal corticosteroid, a second-generation oral antihistamine (cetirizine, loratadine, fexofenadine), antihistamine eye drops, and avoidance counseling. |
| Acute hives (urticaria) | Widespread itchy welts, perhaps mild lip or facial puffiness, no airway or circulatory involvement. | Oral or IV diphenhydramine, an H2 blocker (famotidine), a short steroid course if severe, trigger review, and observation until symptoms start clearing. |
| Angioedema without anaphylaxis | Swelling of lips, tongue, eyelids, or extremities without wheeze, low blood pressure, or airway compromise. | IV antihistamine, H2 blocker, corticosteroid, close airway monitoring, with epinephrine ready in case it progresses. |
| Anaphylaxis | Two or more body systems involved: skin plus breathing, skin plus gut, or circulatory collapse after a known or suspected trigger. | IM epinephrine first, then antihistamines, H2 blocker, corticosteroid, IV fluids, albuterol if wheezing, 4 to 6 hours of observation, and a two-pen auto-injector prescription at discharge. |
| Biphasic anaphylaxis | Return of anaphylactic symptoms 1 to 72 hours after the first resolution, usually within 8 hours. | Repeat epinephrine, extended observation, and escalation to the emergency department if severity crosses the threshold. The auto-injector is the patient’s lifeline. |
Urgent care treatment is medication-focused. Identifying the specific allergen (skin or blood testing, immunotherapy candidacy) is the allergist’s job, and we refer when warranted. Our role is to handle the acute reaction safely and hand you off with clear next steps.
When an allergic reaction needs emergency care
Most allergic reactions are urgent-care level. Some need an emergency department. The signs below move you straight to 911 or the ER.
Call 911 or go to the ER for stridor or a sense of the airway closing, severe respiratory distress or inability to speak in full sentences, sustained low blood pressure, fainting or shock, altered mental status, chest pain with the reaction, rapidly progressing lip, tongue, or throat swelling, failure to improve after a single auto-injector at home, or any anaphylactic symptoms in a pregnant patient or an infant.
If you are already having an active severe reaction, do not drive yourself. Use your auto-injector if you have one, then call 911. We are a walk-in urgent care: we can manage moderate reactions and initiate anaphylaxis treatment, but advanced airway management and continuous cardiac monitoring are emergency-room services.
If you are unsure whether a past reaction was anaphylaxis, come in afterward for evaluation and a plan. Many patients realize in hindsight that a reaction they brushed off was actually anaphylactic, and those patients need a two-pack of auto-injectors at home before the next exposure.
Pediatric allergy and anaphylaxis care
Children make up most of the food-allergy population, and most food allergies begin in childhood. Our physicians see pediatric allergic reactions daily through our pediatric urgent care service.
Food allergy first
Milk, egg, peanut, and tree nut are the most common pediatric food allergies. Hives around the mouth, vomiting within 30 minutes of eating, or a full anaphylactic picture are the usual patterns, often on a first recognized exposure.
Weight-based dosing
Pediatric epinephrine is dosed at 0.01 mg/kg IM, up to 0.3 mg. Auto-injectors are 0.15 mg for most children 15 to 30 kg and 0.3 mg above 30 kg. Antihistamine and steroid dosing are also weight-based, calculated at the bedside.
Parents leave ready
A pediatric anaphylaxis visit ends when parents can describe how and when to use an auto-injector, which symptoms mean a return, and how to set up a school allergy action plan. We provide a written plan and a hands-on demonstration before discharge.
School, camp, and activities
We update school action plans and provide the documentation. A two-pack of auto-injectors should be available at school and with any caretaker. Older children can be trained to self-inject.
Why choose TrufaMED for allergy care
Allergy care in urgent care is not about reading a menu of antihistamines. It is about recognizing which reaction is life-threatening, treating in the right order, and discharging with a plan that keeps the next event from being worse.
Florida’s only accredited urgent care
Joint Commission accreditation, the same body that accredits hospitals, audits our medication safety, anaphylaxis protocols, and emergency response. One of just eight accredited urgent cares nationwide.
Physician-led every shift
A board-certified physician leads every shift and is involved in your care. The clinical team is led by Dr. Uri Gedalia (Chief Medical Officer) and Dr. Shane D. Naidoo (Medical Director, Emergency Medicine).
Full anaphylaxis kit on site
IM epinephrine, IV antihistamines and steroids, IV fluids, an albuterol nebulizer, oxygen, and continuous vital-sign monitoring. The tools are in the room before the patient arrives.
We observe, we do not rush
Post-anaphylaxis patients stay 4 to 6 hours for observation. We watch for a biphasic return of symptoms and do not shortcut this step to clear the waiting room.
Two auto-injectors at discharge
A two-pack of auto-injectors, written instructions, a demonstration, and an allergist referral are part of every anaphylaxis discharge. The first five minutes of the next reaction is what matters most.
Covered by most plans
Allergy and anaphylaxis treatment is a standard urgent care service covered by most major plans, including Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Humana, Oscar Health (urgent care), and Medicare. Self-pay pricing quoted up front.
Clear pricing, no surprise bills
No insurance? A self-pay allergy visit starts at $195 for a physician evaluation, with any add-ons priced up front, so you know what to expect before you are seen.
Starting price for a physician evaluation. Injectable medications, IV fluids, and observation add to a self-pay total and are quoted before treatment. Covered as a standard urgent care visit by most major plans.
Led by board-certified physicians
Allergy and anaphylaxis care rewards experience under pressure. Our clinical leadership brings hospital-grade training in surgery and emergency medicine to a boutique walk-in setting.
Dr. Naidoo leads the clinical team as Medical Director. Board-certified in emergency medicine, with deep experience in adult and pediatric emergencies, trauma, and critical care, exactly the background that anaphylaxis recognition and treatment demand.
Dr. Gedalia is TrufaMED’s Chief Medical Officer and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He oversees clinical protocols across all TrufaMED services, including the medication safety and emergency-response standards that govern allergy care.
Allergy treatment, answered
The questions our physicians answer most often about allergic reactions, anaphylaxis, and long-term management.
Is my reaction an allergy or anaphylaxis?
Anaphylaxis involves two or more body systems at once. For example, hives plus wheezing, lip swelling plus vomiting, or dizziness plus throat tightness. A single-system reaction, such as hives only or nasal symptoms only, is usually not anaphylaxis, but it can progress. Because progression is unpredictable, any reaction that is getting worse should be seen the same day.
Should I use my epinephrine auto-injector or come in first?
If you are having anaphylactic symptoms (trouble breathing, throat or tongue swelling, widespread hives with vomiting, dizziness, or fainting), use the auto-injector first and call 911. Do not drive yourself with an active severe reaction. If symptoms are mild, such as local hives or nasal symptoms only with no airway or circulatory signs, a walk-in evaluation is appropriate. When in doubt, use the injector. The dose is safe, and delay is the most common reason outcomes go badly.
Do I still need the ER after using my auto-injector?
Yes. Every dose of epinephrine for anaphylaxis needs follow-up medical evaluation and monitoring for a biphasic reaction, where symptoms return hours later. If you have already used your auto-injector at home, call 911. Do not drive yourself. TrufaMED can see you afterward for follow-up once you are stable, and for action-plan updates and education.
How long does urgent care observation last for a reaction?
For anaphylaxis, we observe 4 to 6 hours after symptoms resolve, because of the risk that symptoms return. For isolated hives or mild swelling without airway involvement, observation is typically 1 to 2 hours after medication. The observation window for anaphylaxis is not negotiable. Symptoms can return after the initial response, and the first moments of a recurrence matter most.
Can TrufaMED test what I am allergic to?
Identifying a specific allergen (skin prick testing, food challenges, immunotherapy) is the work of an allergist, not urgent care. Our role is to treat the acute reaction safely and refer you for long-term identification and management. Our on-site lab can draw targeted blood testing when appropriate, though it is not a substitute for an allergist evaluation. See our allergy testing page for the longer-term work-up.
Can I be allergic to a food I have eaten for years?
Yes. New adult-onset food allergy is real and not rare. Shellfish, tree nuts, and seafood are common culprits. Alpha-gal syndrome, a tick-bite-associated allergy to red meat, can develop at any age. Any new reaction to a previously tolerated food deserves evaluation and a clear action plan for future exposures.
How long do hives usually last?
Acute hives from a clear allergic trigger usually settle within 24 to 48 hours with antihistamines. Hives lasting more than six weeks (chronic urticaria) are a different condition and often not allergy-driven. We evaluate the duration, triggers, and any systemic symptoms in clinic, and refer for an allergy or dermatology work-up when warranted.
What about a bee sting with a large swelling around it?
Local swelling up to the size of a hand at the sting site is common and not dangerous. It is a local inflammatory reaction, not anaphylaxis. Ice, an antihistamine, and watchful waiting usually handle it. If the swelling crosses a joint, spreads well beyond the sting, or comes with hives elsewhere, wheezing, or any systemic symptom, come in for evaluation and an anaphylaxis risk assessment.
Will insurance cover an allergy or anaphylaxis visit?
Yes. Allergy evaluation and anaphylaxis treatment is a standard urgent care visit covered by most major plans, including Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Humana, Oscar Health (urgent care), and Medicare. Our front desk verifies your benefits and explains any expected out-of-pocket cost before treatment. Self-pay patients are welcome with pricing quoted up front.
Do you treat children for allergies and anaphylaxis?
Yes. We see pediatric patients daily. We use weight-based medication dosing, pediatric auto-injector doses, and age-appropriate education. Every pediatric anaphylaxis discharge includes a written allergy action plan for school, a hands-on demonstration of the auto-injector, and an allergist referral.
Can I walk in, or do I need an appointment?
Walk in, no appointment needed. For an active severe reaction, call 911 and do not drive yourself. For a stable reaction, a seasonal allergy flare, or a post-reaction evaluation, walk in directly or check in online ahead of time. Hours are Monday to Friday 9 AM to 9 PM, Saturday 11 AM to 11 PM, and Sunday 12 PM to 8 PM.
Walk in from Surfside and nearby
TrufaMED is at 9445 Harding Ave in Surfside, minutes from Bal Harbour, Bay Harbor Islands, Miami Beach, Sunny Isles, and Aventura. Walk in without an appointment seven days a week.
Beyond allergy and anaphylaxis care, we handle the full urgent care spectrum, including skin rashes, insect bites and stings, asthma flare-ups, and dehydration with IV therapy. See everything we treat on our urgent care page.
What patients say
Best clinic ever
Excellent. Attentive clean
The staff is very nice and courteous
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Best place I’ve been to by far great service
The staff are amazing, from front desk, registration, nurse , the Dr. A mean the facility very clean, conftuble, I'll give them 150% plus on everything and all. Thank you so very much
Care grounded in recognized authorities
Diagnosis and treatment follow guidance from national health authorities and accreditation standards.
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Related conditions
Allergy Testing Insect Bites & Stings Skin Rashes Asthma Flare-Ups Pediatric Urgent CareFind us in Surfside
Hours
Monday–Friday 9 AM – 9 PM
Saturday 11 AM – 11 PM
Sunday 12 PM – 8 PM
Walk in anytime during open hours, no appointment needed.
Contact
Phone (305) 537-6396
WhatsApp +1 (305) 842-9801
Email [email protected]
For a severe reaction or any life-threatening emergency, call 911. TrufaMED is urgent care, not an emergency room.
Allergic reaction? Walk in.
Physician evaluation, full anaphylaxis capability, observation, and an auto-injector prescription at discharge. No appointment needed. For an active severe reaction, use your auto-injector and call 911.
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