Dr. Sean McGhee
Allergy and Immunology
Stanford, CA
25 years experience male
Locations
Office
Stanford, CA
About
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Allergy and Immunology
Languages spoken
English
Doctor Q&A
96 Answers
9 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 50-year-old member asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
Probably nothing: It's not good to take expired medicines, as they may have lost some potency and might not work as well. In most cases though, they are not likely to b... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
Possibly: Occasionally, dizziness and vertigo might happen in conjunction with seasonal allergies, but it is not likely unless the allergy symptoms are very pro... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
Anything but wheat: With typical wheat allergies, people can eat almost anything else, including other grains, such as oats, rye, barley and rice. All vegetables and frui... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 53-year-old member asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
Yes: In wheat allergy, there is an immune response that involves making an allergic antibody (called ige) against wheat proteins. This causes allergic infl... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
Flushing with water: Washing the eyelids with lots of water or using a contact lens solution to rinse the eyes can be very helpful when your eyes are really itching and wa... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
No: Most shellfish allergies are life-long, and there no currently accepted ways of permanently desensitizing someone, although there is active research o... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
Maybe: About 10-15% of people who are allergic to shellfish are also allergic to mollusks (including squid). An allergist can help you find out. If you have ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
Yes: Lobster is a shellfish, as is crab, prawn, crawfish and shrimp. Unless you have spoken with an allergist about it, if you are sensitive to shrimp, you... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 49-year-old female asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
No: Most people are allergic to sulphonamides, or sulfa medications, not medications that contain sulfur, which is different. Provigil does not contain a ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
No: For people that have had hives for a long period of time (more than a couple months) they may get better and worse in intensity off and on, but don't ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
Antihistamine: As long as you have no other symptoms beside rash and itching (like breathing difficulties or the like) you could try some over the counter antihistam... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 23-year-old member asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
4 months: The available information is for cat dander, but dog is probably similar. Typically about 4 months is needed to decrease levels to below 8 microgram/g... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
Yes: With allergy shots, you can reduce the severity of cat or dog allergies. This usually improves but does not always completely eliminate the sensitivit... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
Depends: There are many causes for a runny nose, and what works for one will not necessarily work for another. For allergies, antihistamine or nasal steroid wo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
No: You can't get rid of all the dog allergen, although you can reduce it by bathing the animal twice per week, vacuuming with a filtered vacuum, having h... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
Inadequate effect: The main problem is that epinephrine, the medicine in the epi-pen, degrades over time and becomes less active. That's a real problem when you are rely... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 22-year-old member asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
30 minutes: After an allergy shot, you need to wait in the office at least 30 minutes to be certain there are no reactions, so unless there is a treadmill in the ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old female asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
Possibly: You should check with the lab. The turn around time may vary for different labs. The sample may have been lost, or your doctor may not have gotten bac... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
Not asthma: This is probably not asthma, unless you are sensitized to something the other person is wearing (perfume, or moldy clothes). If it goes away immediate... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
Ameoba/fungus-like: Slime molds are similar to fungi, but not the same thing. They are more like ameobas from biology class that you can see. Although they have the name ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
Supplementation: Orange juice and soy milk (if soy is tolerated) are often supplemented with calcium, usually to the extent that a glass of orange juice is similar to ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
Tropomyosin: Tropomyosin is a protein in the muscle of shellfish, and is the most common protein to which you become allergic. Other muscle proteins in the shellfi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
No: Most mold on bread is rhizopus, not penicillium, and would not cause a reaction in those with allergy to the drug penicillin. There have been a few pe... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
Shellfish shells: Glucosamine is manufactured from the shells of shrimp, so contamination with shrimp proteins might cause a reaction. However, most people who are shel... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
Months: The typical recommendation is to use a controller medicine that has started working for at least three months, but there may be different advice based... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old female asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
Many possibilities: First, you need to be certain that the rash is really hives. There are other things that may appear like hives but arise for very different reasons. I... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 23-year-old male asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
2-4 weeks: Generally about 2-4 weeks, with some variability between people. Most people should have evidence of MMR antibodies by one month after vaccination.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
Depends: For those with classic celiac disease, they must strictly avoid gluten. For others who do not have celiac disease, you may or may not want to complete... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
Possibly: Possibly but not likely. There are other kinds of reactions to foods besides allergy, and diarrhea could come about because of the high fiber content ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
Loose stools: Lactose intolerance shows loose watery stools after milk. Classic celiac disease usually shows watery stools with trouble gaining weigh all the time. ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old female asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
No: You shouldn't use both at the same time. If you want to switch from one to the other, wait until it is time for your next dose of the panadol, (acetam... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 52-year-old member asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
No: While exercising in cold air can be a trigger for an asthma exacerbation, if your child's asthma is well controlled they should be able to exercise in... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
Yes: The first asthma exacerbation can be of any severity, mild to life-threatening.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
Possibly: This could be related to an egg allergy, although it could be something else as well. It would be worthwhile being evaluated to determine more certain... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
No: This is not a typical symptom of celiac disease. More common would be diarrhea, loose, watery stools, and failure to gain weight. Tarry stools is a sy... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old female asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
Saline lavage: The most effective home remedy for these kinds of symptoms is nasal saline lavage (such as neti pot, or using a squeeze bottle available at the pharma... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
Yes: A nurse should know all the relevant conditions his or her patient has to be able to provide the best possible care. All healthcare workers should pra... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
Epinephrine: For severe shellfish allergy, only injectable Epinephrine for reactions is a reliable treatment. Some people with very mild allergies can use antihist... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old member asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
Immune reactions: The conjunctiva, the thin membrane on the inner surface of the eyelids and the white part of the eye, has lots of mast cells, which are the cells that... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
Varies: Transplantation is a complicated process, and it is difficult to make predictions. The hospitalization is sometimes quite long (months). Your doctors ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 28-year-old member asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
No: Penicillin does not contain doxycycline, and there is no cross-reaction between Doxycycline and penicillin for most penicillin allergic patients.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
No: Cipro (ciprofloxacin) does not contain penicillin and does not cross-react with penicillin in those with penicillin allergy.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
Minutes to hours: The onset of allergic reactions is usually rapid, within minutes of exposure to the allergen. The latest start to an allergic reaction is perhaps one ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old member asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
Yes: Some relatively unusual medicines for heart rhythm problems (amiodarone), some medicines for diabetes (pramlintide or symlin) should not be used with ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
Immune mechanism: Reactions to foods can be from immune reactions, or from other mechanisms. Allergy is an immune reaction against the food. An intolerance might happen... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
Stops inflammation: Steroids (different than the steroids that athletes use) are medicines that have many effects, but one is to turn off inflammatory reactions, especial... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
4 months: About four months for most cat allergen, and dog is probably similar, although there isn't much evidence about dog. Levels can persist much longer, es... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
Off and on: In the vast majority of cases they disappear within a few days or weeks. During that time it will come and go and move around the body. Each hive shou... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
Can't tell: Allergy blood tests (rasts) are often ranked by class 1, class 2 and so forth, usually up to 6. This reflects the amount of allergic antibody present.... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Sean McGheeanswered
Allergy and Immunology 25 years experience
Yes: About 10-15% of people who are shellfish allergic (shrimp, lobster, etc) are also clinically sensitive to mollusks (clams, squid(calamari), octopus). ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
2
Recommendations
417
Thank you notes
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. McGhee is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. McGhee is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer or tip was very helpful! Allergic to penicillin & wondered about side effects with doxycycline
HealthTap member
Didn't realize that I might never grow out of my allergy...but good to know how I can control a reaction! thanks!
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! Thank you we have appt for dermatologist on Monday and blood tests
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
Stanford University School of Medicine, CA
Graduated 1998MD
Awards
Top Allergist and Immunologist , Second Place, California - Summer
2013
HealthTap Founding Doctor
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