Allergy TreatmentHouston, TX

How can you identify allergy types?

The range of what you are allergic to and how severe the symptoms are depends on each individual person. You can be allergic to nothing or almost everything.

These are common types of allergies:

Seasonal allergies

Generally, people suffer from seasonal allergies in the spring or winter, though that does not mean that these allergies cannot occur at any other time of the year.

Pollen is one of the most common allergens, along with oak, grass and dust. Allergic rhinitis, commonly referred to as "hay fever," is a body's reaction to pollen, grains or any other foreign substances. If not treated, seasonal allergies can be severe enough to disrupt your daily tasks and routine.

If your symptoms include congestion, watery eyes, sneezing or itching, our allergists can recommend over-the-counter medications. They know exactly how nasal steroids, antihistamines or nasal cromolyn can help with seasonal allergies.

We also have specialists and physicians who can help identify the allergens that trigger asthma and other detrimental allergies.

Food allergies

It is not only the seasons that can cause the body to have an allergic reaction. Food allergies are also common, where you may be sensitive to a specific food or ingredient, causing your immune system to respond adversely. Sensitivity to food may occur if you lack essential enzymes to decompose specific proteins. For example, if you experience lactose intolerance, it can lead to debilitating stomach cramps.

A food allergy can also trigger your defense mechanism, displaying severe symptoms like swelling airways (difficulty in breathing) or inflammation. The most common food allergens are nuts, fish, eggs and milk.

Depending on the severity of your food allergy, our allergists may prescribe you injectable epinephrine (commonly called an Epi-Pen) in case you have accidentally eaten food you are allergic to without realizing it.

Animal allergies

If you have an allergic reaction to a bee sting or any other insect, it is essential to talk to our allergists to find out the best method of treatment now and to prevent the reaction in the future. Not only do we provide immediate medical assistance, but we also help you avoid having the same allergic reactions again. 

The allergy shot is one of the best examples of preventative treatments. We inject allergens into your blood over time. Once your immune system gets used to it, it does not have such an adverse reaction to that same type of bite or sting. In addition, we have board-certified immunotherapy doctors who can treat you if you experience any type of venom allergy. Afterward, we typically recommend venom immune therapy to reduce the risk of another reaction to the same kind of sting.

Seek immediate attention if you experience the following reaction because of an animal allergy:

Medical allergies

If you are allergic to any medication, such as penicillin, your body may react inappropriately to antibiotics in your bloodstream. It triggers your immune system and may cause symptoms such as: