Dr. Narlito Cruz, MD

Dr. Narlito Cruz, MD is an Allergy & Immunology specialist dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive care at Tallahassee Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology in Tallahassee, FL. He is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). Your Allergy & Immunology specialist 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. He serves all ages and is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Call (850) 343-5047 to schedule.

Dr. Narlito Cruz, MD is an allergist-immunologist in Tallahassee, FL, with extensive experience in Environmental Allergies. He is affiliated with HCA Florida Capital Hospital, accepting new patients and telehealth appointments. Dr. Cruz earned his medical degree from the University of the Philippines, completing an internship at State University of New York-Health Science Center/Brooklyn. Following medical school, he undertook residency training in Allergy & Immunology at the University of Florida, and further specialized through fellowship training at Louisiana State University-Health Sciences Ctr/Shreveport. He is Board Certified in Allergy & Immunology by the American Board of Allergy & Immunology, and Board Certified in Pediatrics by the American Board of Pediatrics. Dr. Cruz's commitment to collaborative, evidence-based medicine creates a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. He offers consultations in Tagalog.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Narlito Cruz 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. Narlito Cruz 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. Narlito Cruz 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:

• Eosinophilia: Managing eosinophilia effectively is crucial for preventing potentially severe health issues, as it often points to an underlying condition that needs attention.
• Asthma: Regular check-ups and proactive management of asthma help minimize the risk of hospitalizations and severe exacerbations, keeping your lungs healthy and functioning optimally.
• Bronchospasm: Bronchospasm is a sudden tightening of the airways in your lungs, and recognizing its early warning signs helps prevent serious breathing problems.
• Sinusitis: Early detection of sinusitis symptoms can prevent complications like chronic infections and the need for more aggressive treatments.
• Eczema and Contact Dermatitis Due to Metals: Knowing which metals trigger your eczema or dermatitis allows for preventive measures like wearing protective gloves when handling those metals, thereby avoiding painful rashes and inflammation.
• Eczema and Contact Dermatitis Due to Cosmetics: Early detection of cosmetic-induced skin reactions like eczema and contact dermatitis is crucial for preventing chronic skin problems and improving your quality of life.
• Animal Allergies: Understanding your animal allergies allows for proactive steps like avoiding contact with specific animals or using medications to prevent or reduce symptoms.
• Severe Asthma: Severe asthma, if left unmanaged, can lead to life-threatening attacks, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and consistent treatment to prevent future complications.
• Cough: Don't ignore a persistent cough; it could signal an allergy or an immune system issue that needs professional evaluation and management to prevent serious health consequences.
• Latex Allergy: Managing a latex allergy involves proactive steps like avoiding latex products to prevent uncomfortable or dangerous reactions, improving your overall health and quality of life.
• Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema): Managing eczema effectively reduces the risk of secondary skin infections and improves a person's overall quality of life.
• Immunodeficiency Syndromes: Immunodeficiency syndromes leave you susceptible to infections and illnesses your body would usually fight off, thus regular monitoring and preventive strategies are vital.

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. Narlito Cruz offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Desensitization: Desensitization helps determine if you need long-term immunotherapy by building a tolerance to specific substances to prevent major allergic reactions.
• Allergy Shots: Allergy shots, also known as immunotherapy, can help prevent future allergic reactions by gradually desensitizing your body to specific allergens.
• Radioallergosorbent Test: A RAST blood test provides valuable insights into your allergy profile, assisting in the development of a personalized plan to prevent future allergic reactions and improve your quality of life.
• Allergy Skin Testing: Early detection of allergies is key: allergy skin testing provides valuable insights to prevent future severe reactions and improve your quality of life.
• Drug Allergy Testing: Take control of your health with drug allergy testing; it pinpoints specific medications you're allergic to, preventing potentially life-threatening reactions.
• Allergy Testing: Don't let allergies control your life – allergy testing provides valuable insights into your immune system's response, paving the way for effective treatment and improved quality of life.
• Allergy Treatment: Allergy treatment helps identify and manage your allergies to prevent future reactions and improve your quality of life.
• Patch Testing: Patch testing is a simple procedure that identifies specific allergens causing your skin reactions, helping you proactively avoid future flare-ups.
• Blood Allergy Testing: Early detection is key to managing allergies. Blood allergy testing can identify hidden sensitivities and help you develop a plan to minimize or prevent reactions.
• Aeroallergen Hyposensitization Therapy: Aeroallergen hyposensitization therapy is a treatment that can help reduce your allergic reactions to airborne substances like pollen and dust mites by gradually building up your tolerance.
• 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.
• Food Desensitization Therapy: Through controlled exposure and monitoring, food desensitization aims to lessen the severity of allergic reactions you experience from specific foods.

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. Narlito Cruz 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:

• By proactively managing eosinophilia through regular check-ups and lifestyle changes, a patient significantly reduced their risk of developing related complications, gaining peace of mind and a healthier future.
• By attending regular check-ups and following a proactive asthma management plan, a patient significantly reduced the risk of asthma-related hospitalizations, maintaining their lung health and overall well-being.
• Recognizing the early warning signs of bronchospasm, a patient proactively managed triggers and developed a personalized plan with the guidance of an allergy & immunology specialist, ensuring peace of mind and preventing serious breathing problems.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. He 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. Narlito Cruz:

What is an Allergist / Immunologist?

An allergist/immunologist is a doctor specializing in diagnosing and treating conditions related to the immune system, including allergies and immunodeficiencies. They help identify triggers and develop strategies to prevent reactions and manage these conditions effectively.

What can I expect during my first allergy consultation with Dr. Narlito Cruz?

Your first visit with Dr. Narlito Cruz will be a detailed investigation into your symptoms, potential exposures, and family history. This detective work will help pinpoint specific triggers, and may include diagnostic tests like skin testing. Together, you and Dr. Cruz will create a personalized prevention plan.

If I am allergic to one type of nut, do I have to avoid all nuts?

It's a common and important question. An allergy to one tree nut increases the risk of allergies to others, but it doesn't mean you're guaranteed to be allergic to all. Dr. Cruz can perform specific testing to identify which nuts you should avoid for a clear and safe dietary plan.

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, releasing chemicals that cause allergy-like symptoms throughout the body. Dr. Narlito Cruz is a specialist who can diagnose and manage this complex condition to help prevent symptoms.

What is an Asthma Action Plan?

An Asthma Action Plan is a personalized roadmap for managing your asthma. It uses a green, yellow, red zone system to help you recognize worsening symptoms and know exactly which medications to take and when to seek emergency help, making it a critical tool for preventing severe attacks.

What is immunotherapy (allergy shots), and how does it prevent allergies?

Immunotherapy, or allergy shots, retrains the immune system to tolerate allergens. Gradually increasing doses of the allergen help the body build tolerance over time, lessening or eliminating allergic reactions. It's the only treatment that can change the underlying disease and provide long-term prevention of allergy symptoms.

What is Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE)?

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an allergic condition where a type of white blood cell builds up in the esophagus, causing inflammation and difficulty swallowing. It's often triggered by food allergies, and Dr. Narlito Cruz works with gastroenterologists to identify the trigger foods and manage the condition.

What is anaphylaxis and how can I prevent it?

Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction. Prevention involves strictly avoiding known triggers, carrying an epinephrine auto-injector, and having a clear Anaphylaxis Emergency Action Plan, which Dr. Narlito Cruz will help you create.

Tallahassee Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology
2619 Centennial Blvd Ste 103
Tallahassee FL 32308
Phone: (850) 343-5047

Dr. Narlito Cruz, 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): 1467511816

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. Narlito Cruz 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.