Inside the World of Allergy Testing in Mumbai with Dr. Parthiv Shah, Mumbai’s Pulmonologist Expert
Mumbai’s air is a cocktail of humidity, pollen, dust and industrial pollutants—a perfect storm for respiratory allergies. To address this, I visited Dr. Parthiv Shah, a pulmonologist reputed for leading allergy testing in Mumbai. Over a few hours in his clinic, I observed his setup, had in-depth discussions on allergy diagnostics, compared his methods with peers in India and abroad, and probed costs, precautions, and realistic expectations. The following is a journalistic account, aimed at anyone seeking clarity on allergy testing in this city.
Dr. Parthiv Shah: Credentials, Experience & Clinic Setup
Dr. Parthiv Shah is a chest physician (pulmonologist) with specialized training in respiratory medicine and immunology. He holds an MBBS and MD (Pulmonary Medicine) from recognized Indian medical universities, and has completed hands-on training in allergy, immunotherapy, and bronchial challenge tests. Over 12 years of practice, he has evaluated hundreds of allergy and asthma patients in Mumbai and western India.
His clinic, Sparsh Super Speciality Lung Clinic, located in Andheri East, is designed for comfort and clinical rigor. The reception opens into a waiting lounge with purifiers and filtered air. Consultation rooms connect to diagnostic rooms that house spirometry machines, skin prick test stations, and allergen extract panels. In the back, a small lab processes immunoglobulin E (IgE) panels and specific allergen assays. The clinic employs strict hygiene: gloves, disposable lancets, and separate zones for “clean” and “used” trays.
During my visit, Dr. Shah walked me through his skin prick test setup: rows of allergen vials, distilled diluents, controls (histamine, saline), and a charting system where wheal sizes are measured at 15 and 20 minutes. He also offers patch testing, inhalational challenge tests, and serum specific IgE tests for those who cannot undergo skin testing. His approach emphasizes combining clinical history, test data, and environmental assessment.
Comparable Experts:
Dr. Randeep Guleria
While primarily known as a pulmonologist and director of AIIMS, Dr. Randeep Guleria also oversees allergy and asthma programs. His institution conducts large-scale allergen profiling, inhalational challenge testing, and immunotherapy protocols in North India.
Another name is Dr. Rajeev Mallipudi, known for allergology and skin-prick based respiratory allergy diagnosis.
Dr. Stephen Holgate
Immunology and allergy specialists like Dr. Stephen Holgate have deeply influenced protocols of bronchial reactivity testing, molecular allergen mapping, and biologic interventions. His work integrates advanced diagnostics (component-resolved diagnostics, molecular allergen profiling) in a way that leads to global standards.
Pros & Cons of Allergy Testing in Mumbai & Related Treatments
Pros
Targeted diagnosis: Instead of guessing, skin prick and IgE tests identify specific allergens.
Informed treatment: Knowing allergens enables targeted avoidance and immunotherapy.
Better outcomes: Allergy testing can reduce symptomatic burden, medication use, and improve quality of life.
Prevent complications: Especially for asthma patients, determining triggers helps reduce exacerbations and hospitalizations.
Personalized allergy management: You don’t have to rely on broad-spectrum antihistamines or steroids without clarity.
Cons / Limitations
False positives / negatives: Skin tests depend on current sensitivity; patients on antihistamines may yield negative skin results.
Risk of mild reactions: Small wheals, itching, or mild systemic reaction (rare) can occur during testing.
Cost and access: Some advanced molecular tests are expensive or unavailable.
Incomplete correlation: A positive test doesn’t always mean clinical symptoms—clinical correlation is essential.
Maintenance & commitment: Treatments like allergen immunotherapy require years of follow-up and compliance.
Dr. Shah was candid: “Allergy testing is a tool—not a magic wand. It must be integrated with clinical judgment.”
Approximate Cost Ranges:
In Dr. Shah’s clinic and comparable Mumbai centers, basic skin prick test panels (a panel of 20–30 common allergens) may cost between ₹2,000 to ₹5,000. Serum specific IgE panels for multiple allergens may range ₹5,000 to ₹12,000, depending on the number of allergens tested. If bronchial challenge tests or patch tests are needed, those may add further ₹3,000 to ₹7,000.
Precautions & Aftercare Advice
From Dr. Shah, and corroborated by allergy specialists:
Discontinue antihistamines (e.g., cetirizine, loratadine) at least 5–7 days before skin prick testing, as they suppress reactions.
Avoid topical steroids at the test site for 2–3 days before.
Inform about medications like systemic steroids, immunosuppressants—they may affect results.
After skin testing, avoid scratching or rubbing the test area; apply cooling lotions if needed.
Track symptoms after the test—for example, if you develop cough, wheezing, or skin changes. Inform the doctor immediately.
Implement allergen avoidance: dust-mite covers, HEPA filters, avoiding known triggers.
Adherence to therapy: for confirmed allergens, allergen immunotherapy (if recommended) requires consistent monthly or periodic injections over 3–5 years.
Monitor for side effects during immunotherapy (rare systemic allergic reactions).
Dr. Shah emphasizes that aftercare is as much lifestyle as it is clinical: avoiding triggers, maintaining air quality, and adherence to therapy matter hugely.
Observations & Balanced Reflections
During my clinic visit, what stood out was Dr. Shah’s patient education. He used diagrams of the respiratory tract, allergen timelines, and lifestyle charts to help patients understand not just what they were being tested for, but why. The testing room was calm, equipment well-maintained, and staff appeared trained in emergency protocols (e.g., epinephrine vials, resuscitation basics).
Labeling him as among the leaders in allergy testing in Mumbai seems reasonable, given his procedural depth and patient load. Yet, patients must ask: What is your positive predictive value? How many years of follow-up? What alternative diagnoses are you considering?
Comparing his practice to Dr. Guleria’s or Holgate’s protocols, I noted Dr. Shah does not yet routinely offer molecular allergen component testing, likely due to cost barriers. But his standard panel approach is in line with most clinical needs in Mumbai’s population.
Final Thought
If chronic cough, unexplained wheezing, or persistent allergies trouble you, don’t settle for symptomatic relief alone — seek targeted diagnosis through reputable allergists. In Mumbai, Sparsh Super Speciality Lung Clinic under Dr. Parthiv Shah is one facility where such work is visible. Ask questions, check credentials, and make your respiratory health priority.
Sparsh Super Speciality Lung Clinic
93242 47349 | 9029772904
As a medical journalist, I can point you toward credible practices—but your health decision should be rooted in knowledge, clarity, and confidence.
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