Yes!

Not all physicians practicing allergy are allergists. An allergist is a medical doctor with residency training in Internal Medicine and/or Pediatrics and specialty fellowship training in Allergy & Immunology. Our physicians are board-certified by the American Board of Allergy & Immunology and uniquely qualified to manage patients with allergies and immune system disorders. By choosing a board-certified allergist, you are choosing an expert in the field.

The most common outdoor allergens in Central Texas are tree pollens, including oak and mountain cedar, grass, and ragweed.

Some people do not achieve complete relief with medications, including nasal sprays and antihistamines. Other people may not tolerate them due to side effects or interactions with other medications that they must take.

Allergy injections (immunotherapy) work differently than medications. They target the underlying reason a person has allergies, specifically their immune system response to allergens (pet dander, pollen, dust, and mold). Immunotherapy is the most effective way to treat allergies and has the potential to improve quality of life by providing longer lasting symptom relief. Additionally, there is evidence that for some patients with allergies, allergy shots can prevent asthma from occurring.

Not everyone who has allergies will need immunotherapy. Some patients can improve their symptoms by avoiding triggers and others can improve by taking medications. However, if symptoms do not improve with medications or a person does not want to consistently take them, immunotherapy may be recommended for long-term control of allergy and asthma symptoms. Your allergist will determine whether you are a candidate for them.

The FDA has only approved oral immunotherapy tablets. These are fast-dissolving tablets that are placed under the tongue and contain specific allergens. We do offer this treatment option in our clinic.

Currently, allergy drops are not approved by the FDA and are typically not the treatment of choice of board-certified allergists. They are also usually not covered by insurance companies and are not shown to be as effective as traditional immunotherapy. For these reasons, we do not offer allergy drops.

Asthma is chronic inflammation of the airways characterized by swelling and mucus production. It can be caused by various triggers, including allergen exposure, stress, cold weather, irritants, exercise, and infection. It can present at any age, but usually occurs initially in childhood. Symptoms can include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness.

Up to 80% of children with asthma also have allergies, and up to 40% of children with allergies also have asthma. Similarly, there is a strong association of asthma and nasal allergies in adults.

Allergy shots can help reduce the symptoms of asthma as well as the chance of developing asthma in the future.

Anyone who has concerns for possible food allergies or eczema should see an allergist for proper testing and treatment. Recently, blood allergy testing for food allergies has become popular, but there is a risk of false results. Testing results are best interpreted by an allergist in combination with clinical correlations.

Our doctors are trained and experienced in seeing children from their first few months of life. Often a very young child will be tested for food allergies earlier than environmental allergies. It is uncommon for outdoor allergies to develop in children under two years of age, but allergens such as pet, dust, and mold allergies can develop earlier.

Yes. Medication allergy testing is handled on a case-by-case basis. It is generally a two-step process, initially involving skin test followed by an oral challenge.