The Woodlands Allergy Asthma & Immunology Center

Products And Services

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  Allergies

  When harmless substances become invaders. Allergy Symptoms & Treatment in The Woodlands, TexasOur immune system protects us from foreign organisms that could cause illness. In the case of allergies, our body mistakes harmless substances, such as pollen, as invaders. We call these substances allergens. Most common allergens that can cause allergic reactions include food, pollen, mold, dust mite, animal dander, insect stings, medications, and latex. Upon encountering these allergens, the immune system overreacts and produces an antibody IgE that travels to different tissues and plays a role in the release of substances such as histamine. The possible symptoms of an allergic reaction are numerous and may include: a runny nose, congestion, sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, breathing difficulty, wheezing, vomiting, diarrhea, swelling, hives and even loss of consciousness. In the most serious cases, a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis can occur. Genetic factors and environmental exposures play a role in why some people suffer. A holistic approach is needed to diagnose allergies. It includes a detailed history looking for clues in lifestyle and the environment, eating habits, family history, frequency and severity of symptoms and response to prior interventions. With proper treatment, many affected individuals can live healthy and productive lives.

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  Allergic Rhinitis (hay fever)

  Affecting productivity and quality of life for many patients. Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever) Symptoms & TreatmentEnvironmental allergies, commonly called “hay fever”, affect the nose. Symptoms include nasal congestion, drippy nose, sneezing, itching and puffy eyelids. These symptoms can also be exacerbated by irritants such as cigarette smoke or perfumes. The term “hay fever” can be misleading as you do not need to be exposed to hay or have a fever to have the symptoms. There are two types of allergic rhinitis: seasonal – caused by sensitivity to airborne pollens or mold spores; and perennial – with symptoms year-round caused by sensitivity to dust mite, pet dander or cockroach. Hay fever is not just a nuisance. It can affect one’s productivity and quality of life. Children are especially susceptible and can suffer from symptoms such as irritability, sleep disorders, decreased concentration and limited activities. Children can miss school, suffer academically and athletically and their symptoms can be mistaken for attention deficit disorder. With proper treatment, allergy symptoms can be controlled and disruptions in learning and behavior can be avoided. An evaluation by an allergist is imperative to discuss proper allergen avoidance, pharmacotherapy, and immunotherapy (allergy shots). There is evidence that immunotherapy in childhood can prevent further allergies and the development of allergic asthma.

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  Asthma

  Knowing triggers and understanding prevention is the key to symptom control. Asthma Causes, Symptoms, Prevention, & TreatmentAsthma is a chronic disease of the lungs and affects about 26 million Americans. The disease causes inflammation and narrowing of the bronchial tubes with symptoms such as wheezing, cough, shortness of breath and chest tightness. Asthma can be allergic – caused by exposure to an allergen such as pet dander, and non-allergic – caused by triggers such as exercise, illness, stress, or irritants. Asthma is among the most common chronic childhood illnesses and if left undiagnosed or unmanaged, can be deadly. Studies show that people with asthma who see a specialist, such as an allergist, reduce their symptoms, emergency room and doctor visits, missed days from work or school and health care costs. The main strategy of controlling asthma is prevention. Prevention includes: understanding and avoiding triggers, having access to medical care, obtaining appropriate treatment to decrease chronic inflammation and improve or maintain lung function.

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  Eczema

  A typical progression of allergic diseases begins with eczema in early life. Eczema Symptoms & Treatment in The Woodlands, TexasAtopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, is a chronic skin condition that causes recurrent episodes of itchy red rashes. It often begins in the first years of life and is often an indication that the child will develop other allergic diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis or food allergies. Symptoms of eczema include patches of red skin, itching and dry cracked or scaly skin especially inside the folds of the elbows and knees. Allergy testing can be helpful to identify the triggers. Treatment includes good skin care, prevention of scratching and avoidance of known triggers such as pet dander, dust mite or food. Bleach baths are now part of the standard regimen for eczema as they decrease inflammation and prevent skin superinfection by bacteria. Medicated non-steroidal creams can also be used as prevention.

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  Food Allergies

  Do you need to carry a self-injectable epinephrine for your symptoms? Food Allergies - Symptoms & Treatment in The Woodlands, TexasFood allergies affect 4 to 6 percent of children and 4 percent of adults. They are most common in young children, but allergies to food can appear at any age and to any food. There are eight types of foods responsible for 90% of all reactions. Those are milk, eggs, soy, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish. Symptoms of food allergy can be unpredictable and vary from mild to severe between reactions. The most severe symptom is anaphylaxis, a life-threatening whole-body reaction that can impair breathing, affect heart rate and cause a dramatic drop in your blood pressure within minutes of exposure to the trigger food. This reaction can be fatal and must be treated quickly with an injection of epinephrine. Many adults with allergic rhinitis experience oral allergy syndrome. This type of food allergy occurs due to cross-reactivity between the proteins of plants and typically causes isolated mouth itching and swelling. An example would be ragweed allergy causing sensitivity to melons. Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome (FPIES) often develops in infancy when a baby is introduced to formula or food. FPIES can be severe and cause vomiting, diarrhea and even shock due to severe dehydration. Most common triggers are cow milk, soy, and grains. Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) is an allergic condition where certain food proteins cause inflammation of the esophagus. Young children usually present with recurrent abdominal pain or vomiting, while teenagers and adults most often have difficulty swallowing. EoE is diagnosed with an endoscopy and biopsy of the esophagus. Allergists and gastroenterologists work together to help these patients. Many people who have symptoms with foods have food intolerance rather than food allergy. Being evaluated by an allergist and understanding the difference between the two is very important.

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  Hives and Swelling

  What to do when antihistamines are not enough? Hives & Swelling - Common Causes, Symptoms, & TreatmentHives, also known as urticaria, affect about 20% of people sometime in their life. They appear as raised itchy bumps caused by small blood vessel leaking when the immune system releases histamine. There are two kinds of hives, acute and chronic. Acute hives occur after coming in contact with a particular trigger: food, insect sting, medication, latex, infection, pet dander, pollen or plants (i.e. poison ivy). It can also be triggered by non-allergic causes such as heat, cold, pressure or exercise. Chronic hives, on the other hand, are rarely caused by specific outside triggers. They can be frustrating lasting months to years and allergy testing is usually not helpful. With the approval of Xolair (Omalizumab) in 2014, patients now have a fast and very well tolerated option for treating chronic hives replacing high dose antihistamines (that can be sedating) or other more toxic therapies (cyclosporine or steroids). Swelling in deep layers of the skin is called angioedema. It is often seen together with urticaria. Acute angioedema is commonly caused by an allergic reaction to foods, insect stings or medications. Chronic recurrent angioedema, just like chronic urticaria, typically does not have an identifiable cause. Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is caused by a deficient or improperly functioning protein called the C1 inhibitor. HAE is a rare but serious condition that usually runs in the families. It causes rapid swelling (without itching or hives), particularly of the face and airway. Evaluation by an allergist is critical as preventative and acute treatments are available.

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  Insect Allergies

  Venom immunotherapy is a successful and lifesaving treatment option. Insect stings cause at least 50 known deaths each year. Most of us develop redness and swelling at the site of an insect bite. However, if you are allergic to stinging insect venom you are at a risk of anaphylaxis. Most serious reactions are caused by five types of insects: fire ants, honey bees, yellow jackets, wasps, and hornets. An accurate diagnosis and treatment can decrease anxiety and bring peace of mind. Allergy immunotherapy is the only treatment known to modify and prevent disease progression and can be life-saving for those affected. Immunotherapy has been shown to be 97% effective in preventing a life-threatening reaction to an insect sting.

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  Medication Allergies

  Most patients labeled allergic will test negative for penicillin. Medication Allergies - Diagnosis, Symptoms, & TreatmentAll medications have the potential to cause side effects, but only about 5 to 10% of adverse reactions to drugs are allergic. The most common medications to produce allergic reactions include antibiotics (such as penicillin), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (such as aspirin and ibuprofen), anticonvulsants, monoclonal antibody therapy and chemotherapy. It can be a challenge to identify the cause of a drug rash in patients on multiple chronic medications. Obtaining a detailed history and timeline is essential in piecing together the story to establish the true cause of symptoms. As an example, penicillin allergy is incorrectly diagnosed in many patients. Studies have shown that more than 90% of patients who believed to be allergic to penicillin tested negative for penicillin allergy. Such false belief that one is allergic to penicillin limits antibiotic choices. The alternatives may cause resistance, side effects, be more expensive or less effective. Testing to penicillin becomes important to determine an accurate diagnosis for future medical care. Allergists are also trained in desensitizing patients to medication (such as aspirin causing hives but needed for cardiovascular disease prevention) and administering medications or vaccines in graded doses in the safe environment of their office.

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  Sinus Disease

  Do you need surgery for those symptoms? Sinus Disease - Symptoms & Treatment in The Woodlands, TexasChronic sinusitis is defined as having persistent sinus symptoms lasting 12 weeks or longer. These symptoms may include nasal congestion, nasal discharge, facial fullness, headache, sore throat, stuffy ears, lack of smell, unpleasant taste and breath and easy fatigability. Chronic sinusitis can also be complicated by the presence of nasal polyps. A comprehensive allergy evaluation and a tailored medical treatment are nearly always warranted before seeking a surgical intervention, as chronic sinusitis may be non-infectious. Acute sinusitis is characterized by inflammation of the lining of the paranasal sinuses with symptoms present for 4 weeks or less. Bacterial sinusitis is suspected when symptoms last more than 10 days or if symptoms worsen within 10 days after an initial improvement. Symptoms may include facial pain (especially one sided), nasal congestion and drainage, dental pain, fever, and cough. Some individuals have recurrent episodes of acute sinusitis. In such cases, tests for immune deficiency are indicated.

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  Immunodeficiency

  The immune system fails to prevent infections. Immunodeficiency Disorders - Causes, Symptoms, Prevention & TreatmentThe immune system is made up of lymphoid tissue that includes the bone marrow, tonsils, and lymph nodes. These organs help to protect the body from harmful substances such as bacteria, virus, toxins and cancer cells. Immunodeficiency disorders may affect any part of the immune system and may be inherited or acquired later in life. The most common type of primary immunodeficiency is when the body does not produce enough or normally functioning antibodies, which are specialized proteins that destroy harmful substances. In addition, other causes such as chemotherapy, infections or severe burns may cause a secondary immunodeficiency. The typical symptoms of immunodeficiency are recurrent infections such as sinusitis, pneumonia, ear, skin and gastrointestinal infections. Immunologists evaluate your ability to fight infections, devise a plan for you to prevent exposures and treat some forms of immunodeficiency with therapies such as replacement immunoglobulin.

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  Testing and Diagnosis

  Our Services: -Allergy skin testing for pollens, indoor allergens, insects, drugs, and foods -Patch testing for contact dermatitis and delayed hypersensitivity reactions -Spirometry (breathing tests) -Screening for immunodeficiency -Evaluation of allergic skin diseases such as eczema, chronic hives, and swelling -Oral challenges to food, drugs, and vaccines -Desensitization to aspirin and other drugs -Injection immunotherapy (allergy shots): traditional and accelerated schedules -Sublingual immunotherapy -Counseling on the use of inhaled medications and epinephrine auto-injectors -Screening for mast cell disorders, nasal polyps, vocal cord dysfunction, hereditary angioedema