
Dr. Monika Korff, MD
Allergist & Immunologist | Allergy
9891 Broken Land Pkwy 100 Columbia MD, 21046About
Dr. Monika Korff practices Allergy and Immunology care in Columbia, MD. Dr. Korff specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of asthma and other allergic diseases. Allergist-Immunologists are trained and certified to treat each patients sensitivity and response to allergens of varying severity. Dr. Korff provides several means of testing and treatment to increase immunity to potentially harmful substances.
Education and Training
Loma Linda University MD 2001
Board Certification
American Board of Allergy and Immunology
Provider Details

Dr. Monika Korff, MD's Expert Contributions
Strange allergy, what is it?
What you are experiencing is not strange at all. It is called oral allergy syndrome - OAS for short. Believe it or not, it is an extension or a result of your inhalant (pollen) allergies. When we develop allergic (IGE) antibodies to certain pollens - ragweed, some grasses and minor weeds and birch tree pollen - those antibodies make the immune cells in the oral cavity (mouth, tongue, the back of the throat) react to certain fresh or raw fruits and/or vegetables. Families of proteins are shared between those fruits and vegetables and the pollens and so the immune response is triggered or stimulated. The most common foods involved are apples, stone fruits, melons, carrots and celery, cucumber, bananas, kiwi, avocado. At times, peanuts and tree nuts can trigger such symptoms. When those foods are processed or cooked the proteins change their form so the immune system is not activated as it does not recognize the food as a trigger any longer. The good news about this syndrome is that it is fairly benign and there is less than 0.5% of systemic or anaphylactic reactions so we usually do not prescribe an epinephrine in such cases. You can safely continue to consume the offending foods in their "cooked/processed" forms, just avoid eating them raw/fresh. Some patients who do allergen immunotherapy or allergy shots for their inhalant allergies notice less or even no reactions to the foods over time, but not everyone experiences an improvement to a degree to allow them to freely eat the foods. So, not much to worry about. Thank you for the question and hope this helps you in some way. Sincerely, Monika Korff, MD READ MORE
Wheat sensitivity?
I am sorry you are experiencing discomfort. It is certainly possible - not as frequent as gluten sensitivity, but I have seen it. Unfortunately, just like with non-celiac gluten sensitivity, there are no reliable tests no confirm it as the process of sensitization is not well understood. I think it maybe easier to switch to gluten free products as that will ensure no cross contamination. However, if there are products that do not trigger the symptoms you can certainly continue to consume them. Hope that helps. Sincerely, MK READ MORE
Areas of expertise and specialization
Awards
- Top Doctor in Columbia 2018 Top doctors
Professional Memberships
- America Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology
- American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
- Maryland Allergy Asthma Medical Society
Dr. Monika Korff, MD's Practice location
Asthma and Allergy Center of Central Maryland
9891 Broken Land Pkwy 100 -Columbia, MD 21046Get Direction
Dr. Monika Korff, MD's reviews
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Get to know Allergist and Immunologist Dr. Monika Korff, who serves patients in Columbia, Maryland.
Dr. Korff is a board-certified allergist and immunologist with a special interest in food allergies, medication allergies, and asthma. She practices at Allergy & Asthma Center of Central Maryland in Columbia, Maryland.
She and the other board-certified allergists working there specialize in providing comprehensive medical care for children and adults with hay fever (allergic rhinitis), asthma, food allergies, eczema (atopic dermatitis), contact dermatitis, drug allergy, bee sting (venom) allergy, and primary immunodeficiency. They offer skin testing for environmental and food allergies, as well as for drug and venom allergies. They also conduct spirometry breathing test (limited pulmonary function test), open food challenges, and administer allergy shots (immunotherapy).
Throughout her academic career, Dr. Korff earned her medical degree from Loma Linda University School of Medicine in 2001. She then went on to complete her residency in internal medicine at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, followed by her fellowship in allergy and clinical immunology at Johns Hopkins.
Committed to keeping on top of the latest advances and news in her field, the doctor is board-certified in allergy and immunology by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology, whose mission is to improve the quality of medical care by the development and utilization of professional and educational standards for the initial certification and maintenance of certification of physician specialists in allergy and immunology. She is also a member of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.
Allergy and immunology involves the management of disorders related to the immune system. These conditions range from the very common to the very rare, spanning all ages and encompassing various organ systems. An allergist and immunologist is a physician specially trained to diagnose, treat, and manage allergies, asthma, and immunologic disorders, including primary immunodeficiency disorders.
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Nearby Providers
- Dr. Yung-hao Howard Pung M.D.11119 Rockville Pike Rockville MD 20852
- Dr. Bruce S Bochner M.D.5501 Hopkins Bayview Cir Baltimore MD 21224
- Dr. Jody Robert Tversky M.D.5501 Hopkins Bayview Cir Baltimore MD 21224
- Dr. Baruch Friedman M.D.5601 Loch Raven Blvd Baltimore MD 21239
- Dr. Raymond O Nwadiuko MD9831 Greenbelt Rd Lanham MD 20706
- Dr. Newton F Adkinson M.D.5501 Hopkins Bayview Cir Baltimore MD 21224
Nearest Hospitals
MEDSTAR MONTGOMERY MEDICAL CENTERl
18101 PRINCE PHILIP DRIVE OLNEY MD 20832HOWARD COUNTY GENERAL HOSPITALl
5755 CEDAR LANE COLUMBIA MD 21044LAUREL REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTERl
7300 VAN DUSEN ROAD LAUREL MD 20707