Dr. Monica Hajirawala, MD

Dr. Monica Hajirawala, MD is an Allergy & Immunology specialist practicing at her clinic in Saint Petersburg, FL. Dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive care, she is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). She is your primary partner in preventing allergic reactions, managing asthma, treating immune disorders, and creating a personalized, long-term health plan that coordinates screenings and promotes overall wellness. She serves all ages. Please call (727) 828-6390 to confirm if she is currently accepting new patients.

Dr. Monica Hajirawala, MD is an allergist-immunologist in Saint Petersburg, FL, affiliated with Orlando Health South Lake Hospital and St. Anthony's Hospital. She is accepting telehealth appointments. Dr. Hajirawala earned her medical degree from Florida International University and is Board Certified in Allergy & Immunology by the American Board of Allergy & Immunology. Her approach to care emphasizes collaborative, evidence-based medicine, creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. Dr. Hajirawala provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Monica Hajirawala is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on proactive strategies to protect and enhance your long-term health.

By working together, you and Dr. Monica Hajirawala can create a clear, actionable plan to address your unique risk factors and health goals.

A proactive approach to health involves understanding and managing potential risks. Dr. Monica Hajirawala provides expert care for a range of conditions, focusing on early detection and effective management to support your long-term wellness. Common areas of focus include:

• Penicillin Allergy: Knowing if you have a penicillin allergy is crucial for preventing serious, even life-threatening, reactions to antibiotics in the future.
• Exercise Induced Asthma: Exercise-induced asthma means your breathing gets worse after physical activity, but early diagnosis and a personalized management plan can help you stay active and prevent serious breathing problems.
• COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease): COPD is a chronic lung disease that can be better managed through early detection and lifestyle changes, preventing further damage and improving your quality of life.
• Eosinophilia: Regular health checks and monitoring for eosinophilia are key steps in preventive care, allowing for timely intervention and reducing risks associated with chronic inflammation.
• Hives: Managing hives effectively, whether through identifying triggers or medication, can prevent them from becoming chronic and impacting your quality of life.
• Eczema and Contact Dermatitis: Proactive skin care and avoidance of irritants are key to preventing worsening eczema and contact dermatitis symptoms and promoting long-term skin health.
• Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema): Understanding and avoiding eczema triggers like irritants and allergens is key to preventing frequent and severe outbreaks.
• Angioedema: Angioedema is a serious swelling under the skin, often a sign of an allergic reaction, and early recognition can prevent life-threatening complications.
• Moderate Asthma: By actively managing your moderate asthma through prescribed medications and lifestyle changes, you can significantly reduce your risk of experiencing severe breathing problems and improve your quality of life.
• Allergic Conjunctivitis: Managing allergic conjunctivitis through proper hygiene and treatment helps prevent the condition from worsening, reducing the risk of long-term eye damage or vision problems.
• Food Allergy: Food allergy prevention focuses on identifying allergens early on and implementing strategies to avoid them, reducing the severity and frequency of allergic reactions.
• Anaphylaxis: Prompt treatment of even mild allergic reactions can prevent them from developing into life-threatening anaphylaxis, highlighting the importance of seeking medical advice early on.

This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes only. The best way to understand your personal health and create a prevention plan is to schedule a consultation. Accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans are developed based on individual patient evaluations.

Taking proactive steps is central to long-term health. Dr. Monica Hajirawala offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Aeroallergen Hyposensitization Therapy: Proactively manage your allergy symptoms and prevent future reactions with aeroallergen hyposensitization, a specialized treatment designed to reduce your sensitivity to airborne allergens.
• Allergy Shots: Take control of your allergies with allergy shots—a proactive treatment that helps reduce the severity and frequency of allergic reactions.
• Allergy Treatment: Take control of your allergies with allergy treatment; we'll work together to find the root cause and develop a personalized management plan.
• Desensitization: By gradually introducing small amounts of allergens, desensitization helps your body build tolerance and prevents severe reactions, improving your quality of life.
• Drug or Food Challenge: This controlled test helps identify the root cause of your symptoms, allowing for proactive management and avoidance of future allergic reactions.
• Food Challenge: To prevent severe reactions, a food challenge can safely assess your sensitivity to certain foods, guiding dietary changes and reducing the risk of future episodes.
• Food Desensitization Therapy: By working with a specialist, food desensitization helps determine the threshold of your food allergies to prevent severe reactions while potentially broadening your dietary options.
• Honeybee Desensitization Therapy: Take control of your bee sting allergies with honeybee desensitization therapy, a process designed to lessen the severity of your allergic responses and prevent future emergencies.
• Patch Testing: Proactive allergy management starts with patch testing – a screening tool that identifies the substances causing your contact dermatitis, allowing for early intervention and prevention of further problems.

Service availability can change, and not all services listed may be appropriate for every patient. For a comprehensive understanding of all available services and to create your personalized screening plan, please schedule a consultation.

All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Allergy & Immunology in Florida.

Dr. Monica Hajirawala is dedicated to partnering with Caregivers to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how a proactive approach can make a tangible difference in a Patient's life:

• Knowing if they had a penicillin allergy was crucial for preventing serious reactions to future antibiotics, giving the patient peace of mind and proactive control over their health.
• By working with a specialist to develop a personalized action plan, a patient was able to significantly reduce the frequency and severity of exercise-induced asthma attacks, allowing them to enjoy their favorite activities without worry.
• By understanding their COPD risk factors and making proactive lifestyle changes, a patient significantly reduced their risk of further lung damage, improving their overall respiratory health and quality of life.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. She will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.

Here are answers to some common questions about proactive Allergy & Immunology care with Dr. Monica Hajirawala:

What is an Allergist / Immunologist?

An allergist/immunologist is a medical specialist who diagnoses and treats conditions related to the immune system, including allergies (where the immune system overreacts) and immunodeficiencies (where it under-reacts). They help identify triggers and develop strategies to prevent reactions.

What can I expect during my first allergy consultation with Dr. Monica Hajirawala?

Your first consultation with Dr. Hajirawala will be a detailed detective process. We'll thoroughly review your symptoms, potential exposures, and family history. Diagnostic tests, such as skin testing, may be included to pinpoint specific triggers and create a personalized prevention plan.

Can my child outgrow a food allergy?

Some food allergies, like milk, egg, and wheat, can sometimes resolve with time. However, allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, and seafood are less likely to be outgrown. Dr. Hajirawala can monitor this with testing and conduct an oral food challenge when it is safe to do so.

Are there alternatives to allergy shots?

Yes, for some environmental allergies, like grass and ragweed pollen, there are under-the-tongue tablets or drops (sublingual immunotherapy) that can be taken at home. Dr. Hajirawala can discuss if this is a suitable prevention option for you.

How do you test for a food allergy?

We begin with a skin prick test or a blood test (IgE test). While these tests can suggest an allergy, the gold standard for diagnosis is an oral food challenge, performed in our clinic under strict medical supervision. This allows us to definitively confirm or rule out a food allergy.

What is contact dermatitis?

Contact dermatitis is a skin rash caused by direct contact with a substance. It can be irritant dermatitis, from harsh chemicals, or allergic contact dermatitis, an immune reaction to things like nickel or poison ivy. Patch testing can help identify specific chemical triggers to prevent future rashes.

What is Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)?

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) is a condition where mast cells, a type of immune cell, are overactive and release chemicals that cause allergy-like symptoms throughout the body. Dr. Hajirawala is a specialist who can accurately diagnose and manage this complex condition to help prevent symptoms.

I think I have a drug allergy. What should I do?

Stop the medication if it's safe to do so, and contact your prescribing doctor and an allergist immediately. Dr. Hajirawala can help determine if it was a true drug allergy through a detailed history and, if necessary, specialized skin testing or a drug challenge to ensure future safety.

601 5th St S Ste C350
Saint Petersburg FL 33701
Phone: (727) 828-6390

Dr. Monica Hajirawala, MD is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.

National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1598128191

Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.

The information on this profile, provided by weprevent.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with preventive health partners. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the physician named. Allergy & Immunology like Dr. Monica Hajirawala are skilled in helping patients create proactive health plans. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. It is always recommended to maintain open communication with your allergy & immunology about all aspects of your health and your personalized prevention plan.