Locations
Office
San Jose, CA
Phone
Practice website
About
Bio
I am an allergist in the South San Francisco Bay Area, California. I have been treating allergy, asthma and immune deficiency patients for over 10 years. I see about 50% adult and 50% children patients. I am fluent in both English and Chinese.
I graduated from University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. I was trained in Internal Medicine and Allergy and Asthma at Yale Univ., UC Davis, Stanford Univ., and UCSF. I am currently a Fellow of both the AAAAI and ACAAI. I am also the Co-President of the American Medical Women's Association, South Bay Chapter.
What I love about allergy and asthma is that sometimes I see the most interesting cases that keep me investigating. Since allergy can affect virtually any body systems, I have to learn about every single organ system of the body. What I also love about it is that when we identify the cause of someone's allergy, a lot of times, I can give my patients treatments to make them so much better. And they love it!
I don't always have the answer, but I love to form the partnership with my patients on their journey to seek better health.
Check out our practice's website for more information.
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
60 Answers
4 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 33-year-old member asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
Maybe: Some patient's asthma is very sensitive to cold temperature, such as cold air. Rarely, drinking cold drinks or eating ice cream can even trigger asth... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
Yes: Interesting question. Just did a quick search. Beeswax is a complex product containing many proteins. There is propolis, "bee glue", usually mixed in ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
No: Most studies found that it does not increase risk for colon cancer. But it does for other type of cancers, such as small bowel cancer or lymphoma.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
Many factors: There is no single cause for atopic dermatitis. There r some common factors that a lot of ad patients share, such as dry skin, not producing enough na... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
Is it necessary?: Asthma inhalors are generally safe with minimum side effects. If it is accidentally inhaled by a healthy young person, the chances are he/she will be ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
None: The side effects of asthma meds depend on their types. Albuterol can increase heart rate, cause shakiness; singulair (montelukast) may be related to m... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
They can: Dog and cats can definitely cause allergies. They may cause asthma too. If u r prone to develop allergies, even if u have no allergy to dogs and cat... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
Egg replacer: Make sure that u use "egg replacer" rather than "egg substitute". Egg substitute still has egg protein and is for people w cholesterol problem. Egg ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
Antihistamine, other: If someone's hives are caused by allergies, seeing an allergist for tests, and avoiding the allergen is the way to go. If someone's hives r of "no ob... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
Some ways: The exact cause of canker sores is unknown. Reduce stress in ur life, make sure u don't have an ill-fitting denture, and make sure u have a balanced d... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
Contact allergy?: U could have developed contact allergy to the metal in the underwire. U should see a dermatologist or an allergist for a patch testing. Contact aller... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
Inhalant allergy: It sounds like you may be developing allergy to things float in air, like pollens, animal dander, dust mite particles, etc.
The only way to find ou... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
Could be: The cardinal sign of allergy is itchiness. If you have itchiness associated with those symptoms, then it is probably from allergy. You should have a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
Both: Sneezing is a nose's reaction to expell offending agents, allergen or virus. The difference is that, a cold lasts about 1-2 weeks; but allergy sympto... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
Not really: The best thing for patients with contact allergy is to avoid the allergen. Or a physical barrier. The allergen can seep through any "barrier cream" ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
Contact allergy: U will probably want to see a dermatologist or allergist for patch testing. It may identify what chemical in the hair dye that u r allergic to. This ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
Maybe: If your eyes r also itchy and your nose running, and your r sneezing, then it is probably associated with allergies. But there might be other reasons... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old female asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
Yes: She probably has allergies, or frequently recurring colds. You should have her checked if she really has allergies by doing skin test or blood test. ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
Yes: Claritin is a second generation antihistamine which causes much less drowsiness than first generation antihistamine, like benadryl (diphenhydramine). ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
Food allergies,other: Food allergy, drug allergy are common causes of hives. Patients who are very allergic to grass pollens or animals can sometimes develop hives when to... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
Antihistamine: In rare cases, people can develop hives after their skin contacts water, or exposed to cold temperature. If you develop hives after each swimming, tr... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 27-year-old member asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
Contact dermatitis: We don't know what material ur make up brush is made of. Most of the time contact allergy on the face is from the facial creams and make-up's themsel... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
No: Unfortunately, nothing makes them go away forever. If urticaria or anaphylaxis is due to food allergy, sometimes a patient can naturally "outgrow" th... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
Pollen food allergy: It happens a lot in patients with pollen allergy, up to 30% by some source. There are shared proteins between certain pollens from trees or weeds wit... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 24-year-old member asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
Staph infection: It could be from clogged pores, like pimples. But recurrent boils on the back can be sometimes due to infection from a special type of bacteria, call... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
It depends: The initial doses of allergy shots r very dilute, generally not eliciting a significant immune response. Most of my patients start to feel effect hal... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 22-year-old member asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
Moisturize and other: The cause for eczema is complex. There r some shared features among majority patients that makes it worse, such as dry skin, and repeated scratching.... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A male asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
Pain or itchiness?: Usually eczema rashes r very itchy. For that, u can try antihistamine pills, topical medicine, and moisturizers. When it is bad, an allergist or derm... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 25-year-old member asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
Hive or dry skin: I am not sure about the question. Skin conditions such as hives, and eczema (frequently associated w dry skin) can become more itchy with rise in body... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
Other associated Sx: Even though scary looking, hives all by itself is not life threatening. U can take some antihistamine first. But if it happens right after u ate some... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
Not really: Most of the otc nasal sprays contain topical decongestants, which ca cause rebound effect when stopped - "addiction". U need to ask ur doctor to presc... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
Difficult: Up to 40% of children with atopic dermatitis have some food allergy. Adults have a much lower %. In those ad patients with food allergy, eliminating ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
Possobly hives: If the itchy bumps go away in 24 hrs, and then come back; or they have an appearance of " moving around", they are probably hives. But there are a lo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
Yes: U can develop a new allergy at any time in ur life, whether u have used it before or not. We frequently develop allergy to things we have used, eaten... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
When it is gone: With poison oak, the skin is acutely inflamed. Shaving ur legs may irritate the skin even more. U may want to wait till the rash is gone.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
Unsure: Canker sores r not usually caused by virus, unlike cold sores. The exact cause of canker sores r unknown. Some r thought due to stress, or trauma to ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
Contact allergy: Most of the time it is latex allergy. There r non-latex medical tapes. U can find them in all pharmacies. Some has a paper backing. Try those. If u... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
Poison oak: Poison oak rashes usually feel burning rather than itchy. They r also more likely to be on exposed areas, like the arms or legs. See ur doctor for th... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
Contact allergy: Yes they can. Baby's skin is very thin and sensitive. Sometimes the scent or certain chemicals in a particular brand of diaper could be causing the re... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
It depends: There r significant cross reactivity among different shellfish. You may have to avoid them all. But there are not a lot cross reactivity between shel... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 26-year-old member asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
OTC antihistamine: Some otc antihistamine, such as claritin, (loratadine) zyrtec have pegnancy class b status, which means they are relatively safe in pregnancy. Also, ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
C ur doctor now: If u r experiencing these symptoms now, seek immediate medical attention! u could be having a heart attack.
If u have had these symptoms for weeks a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 59-year-old member asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
Possible/less likely: Allergies can cause these symptoms that you mentioned. But it could be chronic sinusitis. In that case, antibiotics or sometimes surgery can help. ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 28-year-old female asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
Allergy/intolerance: It depends on whether you have true allergy or intolerance. The severity of those conditions are very different and treatments are different. Need t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
Allergy test: Some allergist may have skin test available for latex allergy. But the reagent is very hard to get in us. There is a blood test that your doctor can... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
Probably ok: I don't know if it will help. But it probably won't hurt ur skin.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
Gynecologist: This question is probably best answered by a ob-gyn doctor, or doctor specialized in infertility, rather than an allergist. Please ask health tap adm... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
Many ways: U can take an antihistamine pill by mouth, a decongestant, or prescription nasal spray. I will be very careful with otc nasal sprays. They frequentl... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
Not good: Someone with celiac disease after eating gluten, they may feel belly pain, bloating, possible nausea, diarrhea, etc. Sometimes they may feel fatigued... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old male asked:

Dr. Anlin Xuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 26 years experience
Probably not: Allergic reaction r usually mediated by an antibody called ige in the body. Ige has to bind usually large molecules, such as proteins to cause an all... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k 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
300
Thank you notes
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Xu is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Xu is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
This made me feel good. Thanks! I appreciate the advice. I have been trying to decipher this for a couple of months now. Wish you could tell me more but, thanks for what you could tell me.
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! You're one of the first doctors to mention menstruation and STRESS :)
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! I have peeling hands and feet that itch and hurt
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PA
Graduated 1997MD
Awards
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