Shaz Siddiqi, MD in Baltimore: Adult and Pediatric Allergy Care on the South Side

Dr. Siddiqi is an allergist and immunologist in South Baltimore who treats both adults and children with seasonal and year-round allergies, asthma, and immune-related conditions through medication management, testing, and immunotherapy. His practice is one of a handful of allergy specialists within Baltimore city limits who accepts most major insurance plans and does not require a referral for initial consultation.

What the practice actually is

Dr. Siddiqi practices as a solo allergist, meaning he conducts consultations, prescribes treatments, and performs testing himself rather than delegating to mid-level providers. The practice is set up to handle the full spectrum of allergic disease: environmental allergies triggered by pollen, dust mites, and pet dander; food allergies; asthma; and immune-mediated conditions. He performs skin prick testing on-site and offers both oral and subcutaneous immunotherapy (allergy shots), allowing patients to complete testing and begin treatment in the same visit if appropriate.

Pediatric allergies make up a significant share of his patient load. This matters because many Baltimore allergists do not maintain separate protocols for children, or limit their practice to adults only. Dr. Siddiqi routinely tests children as young as four and adjusts immunotherapy dosing and counseling for parents managing allergic disease in a school-age child.

Services and pricing

Initial consultation typically runs 60 minutes and includes medical history, physical examination, and often skin prick testing if the history suggests environmental or food allergy. The out-of-pocket cost varies by insurance; patients with Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, United, and CareFirst are usually fully or partially covered after a copay of $25 to $50. Uninsured patients should call the office for a self-pay rate, which is not published online.

Skin prick testing itself costs between $150 and $250 for a standard panel (15 to 20 allergens) when purchased out-of-pocket, though most insurance plans cover 80 to 100 percent. Blood-based allergy testing (specific IgE) is available for patients who cannot receive skin testing due to extensive eczema or current antihistamine use; this test is sent to an outside lab and takes five to seven business days.

Immunotherapy starts at $40 to $60 per injection for subcutaneous shots, with frequency tapering from weekly to monthly over the course of treatment. A typical course lasts three to five years. Sublingual immunotherapy tablets (marketed as Oralair for grass pollen, Palforzia for peanut) are also dispensed; cost depends on the specific allergen and insurance coverage.

Follow-up visits to monitor asthma, review medication response, or refill immunotherapy are typically 15 to 20 minutes and cost $20 to $40 out-of-pocket with insurance.

How it compares to other Baltimore allergists

Allergist availability in Baltimore is limited. The University of Maryland Medical Center has an allergy clinic in the medical center campus near West Baltimore, where patients may wait four to eight weeks for an appointment and must navigate a large system. Johns Hopkins Allergy and Immunology is located in Harbor East and has shorter wait times (two to three weeks) but charges slightly higher copays at some insurance levels and requires referrals for certain plan types.

Dr. Siddiqi accepts most plans without referral requirement and typically schedules first appointments within one to two weeks. His solo practice structure means he manages continuity; you see the same allergist each visit, which some patients value for consistency in treatment decisions. The trade-off is that he has no backup coverage if he is unavailable, so cancellations or urgent issues may be deferred to a system-affiliated allergist elsewhere.

For pediatric care specifically, many Baltimore allergists see children only after age six. Dr. Siddiqi starts testing at age four, making him a practical option for parents of younger children with clear allergic symptoms.

Who it suits and who it does not suit

This practice works well for adults with straightforward seasonal or year-round environmental allergies, new-onset asthma suspected to be allergic in origin, and school-age children with environmental or food allergies. It is also appropriate for patients already on immunotherapy who need to continue shots or switch between antihistamine regimens.

Patients with complex, multi-system autoimmune disease, atopic dermatitis requiring phototherapy, or severe food allergies needing coordination with allergology, gastroenterology, and behavioral health may benefit from the broader resources of Johns Hopkins or University of Maryland, where multiple specialists are available on-site. Similarly, if you need an appointment within three to five days due to acute symptoms, a large system's walk-in or urgent allergy clinic may serve you better.

What the first visit involves

Plan for 60 to 90 minutes. Arrive 15 minutes early to complete intake paperwork, including detailed allergy history, medication list, and insurance information. Dr. Siddiqi will review your symptoms, examine your nasal passages and lungs, and ask about triggers. If environmental allergy is suspected, he will perform skin prick testing by pricking the forearm or back with a small plastic applicator dipped in allergen extract; this is painless and results appear within 15 minutes as small raised welts. You will see the results immediately and receive a printed report.

Based on the test results and clinical impression, he will write prescriptions for topical nasal steroids, antihistamines, or other medications, and discuss whether immunotherapy is appropriate. Some patients leave with a referral for baseline pulmonary testing if asthma is newly diagnosed.

Hours, location, and logistics

Dr. Siddiqi's office is located at 4901 Sinclair Lane in South Baltimore, in a medical office building near the intersection with Sickels Street. Parking is available in a private lot attached to the building. The practice is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with limited Saturday hours for established patients needing immunotherapy administration. There is no walk-in service; appointments must be scheduled by phone or online portal. Wait times from check-in to room are typically 15 to 20 minutes.

The practice does not accept Medicaid and does not take patients on certain HMO plans that do not allow self-referral; confirm your plan eligibility when you call to schedule.

Dr. Siddiqi is one of the few allergists within Baltimore city proper who maintains consistent availability and accepts a broad insurance network, making him a practical first stop for adults and children with allergic disease who want to stay local and avoid the wait times of larger hospital systems.