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Scott P. Commins, MD, PhD - Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology

Scott P. Commins, MD, PhD

William J. Yount Distinguished Professor of Medicine

Associate Chief for Allergy & Immunology

Medical Director, UNC Allergy & Immunology Clinic at Eastowne

Contact Information

Appointments:

Address

Office:
6013 Farrington Road, Bldg 200, Suite 300
Chapel Hill, NC 27517

Resources

Scott P. Commins, MD, PhD

William J. Yount Distinguished Professor of Medicine

Associate Chief for Allergy & Immunology

Medical Director, UNC Allergy & Immunology Clinic at Eastowne

Areas of Interest

Alpha-gal syndrome ("red meat allergy"), food allergy, anaphylaxis, stinging insect venom allergy, tick-borne illnesses

About

Dr. Commins sees patients in the UNC allergy clinic and maintains an active research laboratory. His primary research and clinical interest is alpha-gal syndrome (“red meat allergy”). This unique food allergy appears to be brought on by tick bites and can develop at any time throughout life, even after many years of enjoying beef, pork or lamb. Patients develop an allergic response to the sugar alpha-gal and the resulting allergic reactions are often delayed 3-6 hours after eating mammalian meat. Dr. Commins often sees patients in the allergy clinic with difficult to diagnose food allergies or allergic reactions. In the research laboratory, the primary question being investigated is the role of the skin and resident cells, including mast cells and basophils, in allergic immune responses. We explore this overarching theme through the lens of alpha-gal syndrome.

Commins Lab Logo

  • Undergraduate

    Wake Forest University

  • Medical School

    Medical University of South Carolina (MSTP)

  • Residency

    University of Virginia

  • Fellowship

    University of Virginia

  • PhD

    Medical University of South Carolina (MSTP)

Investigation into the alpha-gal syndrome is likely to reveal novel insights into the causes and consequences of all allergic diseases.