Other Dust Allergy Triggers Include:
Asthma Allergy & Immunology
Every patient reacts differently to asthma, allergies and disorders of the immune system. From congestion caused by an allergic reaction, to breathing difficulties associated with asthma or complications from immune-system disorders, relief is here at UT Health East Texas Physicians.
To make an appointment with our providers, please call one of our allergy/immunology clinics:
Patriot Drive in Tyler
Feel Better
We provide patients with individualized care to treat symptoms associated with asthma, allergies and immune-system disorders. Our goal is to help our patients find relief by easing symptoms and preventing complications. We are committed to treatment that gives patients freedom to live more full, active lives.
Our dedication goes beyond our allergy clinic. The asthma specialists at UT Health East Texas oversee Texas Asthma Camp each summer and also provide asthma care on the go with the Breath of Life mobile asthma clinic. The Breath of Life travels to schools and organizations throughout Northeast Texas to provide care for children. To talk to someone about our mobile asthma clinic, call .
Conditions we commonly treat include:
- Allergic rhinitus or hay fever
- Insect allergies
We offer a variety of treatment options at UT Health East Texas Physicians, including:
What Types Of Allergy Tests Are Available
There are a few different types of allergy tests. These are the most common:
Prick technique: A small amount of allergen is introduced into the skin by making a small puncture with a plastic applicator through a drop of the allergen extract.
Intradermal technique: This test involves injecting a small amount of allergen under the skin with a very small syringe. This form of testing is done if the skin prick tests are negative.
Blood tests: This test involves drawing blood to determine if you have allergic, or IgE, antibodies. This type of test is usually only performed if you cannot stop medications that interfere with skin tests, or if you have a diffuse rash, such as eczema or psoriasis.
The allergen extracts are manufactured commercially and are standardized according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration requirements.
As with any medical test, the results should be interpreted carefully and be coupled with a persons history and physical exam. Allergy Partners allergists/immunologists are uniquely trained experts in the interpretation of allergy tests.
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Penicillin Allergy Testing And Diagnosis
An allergist can help you evaluate the safety of taking penicillin.
In addition to assessing your detailed history about a prior allergic reaction to penicillin, allergists administer skin tests to determine if a person is or remains allergic to the medication. These tests, which are conducted in our office, typically take about two to three hours, including the time needed after testing to watch for reactions.
When safely and properly administered, skin tests involve pricking the skin, injecting a weakened form of the drug, and observing the patients reaction. People who pass penicillin skin tests by reacting negatively to the injection are seen as at low risk for an immediate acute reaction to the medication. The allergist might then give these individuals a single, full-strength oral dose to confirm the absence of a penicillin allergy.
Those with positive allergy skin tests should avoid penicillin and be treated with a different antibiotic. If penicillin is recommended, people in some cases can undergo penicillin desensitization to enable them to receive the medication in a controlled manner under the care of an allergist.
Is There An Allergy
While poodles, Portuguese water dogs and a number of other breeds have a reputation for being hypoallergenic, a truly allergy-free breed does not exist. A 2011 study compared dust samples from homes with dog breeds reported to be hypoallergenic and those of homes with other dogs. The levels of dog allergen in homes with hypoallergenic dogs did not differ from the levels in homes with other breeds.
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Why Is Allergy Testing Important
Allergy testing is vital in identifying which substances are causing your allergies, allowing you and your Allergy Partners allergist/immunologist to more effectively manage your symptoms.
Treatment options can range anywhere from allergen avoidance to allergen immunotherapy . Allergen immunotherapy helps your body to develop immunity or tolerance to allergens.
What Is Allergy Testing
When you are allergic, your body is reacting to a particular substance that should not normally bother you. These substances are called allergens. Typical allergens include pollens, dust mites, animal dander, foods, insect stings and even medicines. To determine which substances are triggering your symptoms, your allergist/immunologist will test your skin using tiny amounts of commonly troublesome allergens.
Allergy testing is generally very safe and effective. Under the guidance of a trained Allergist-Immunologist, allergen skin test is considered the Gold Standard for the diagnosis of allergy.
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Allergy And Asthma Specialists Located In Austin Tx & Cedar Park Tx
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Telehealth Services Coming Soon!
Welcome to Our Practice
Founded in 1987, the specialized team at Allergy and Asthma Clinic of Central Texas is known for helping patients manage chronic conditions. With state-of-the-art locations in Austin, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Killeen, and Round Rock, Texas, patients have a clinic nearby.
With two board-certified physicians on staff, Brian Terry Miller, DO, and Anthony R. Henry, MD, in addition to several medical professionals, Jentry Riddle, PA-C Lauren Upton, PA-C and Sonya Dewey, APRN, patients can expect comprehensive care. The teams goal is to provide the highest quality of medical solutions to achieve optimal health for each patient.
Each clinic location is equipped with advanced diagnostic and treatment solutions. The team of skilled experts can help patients who have asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , allergic skin disease, allergies, chronic headaches and migraines, and more.
Physicians of Allergy and Asthma Clinic of Central Texas are committed to the advancement of medicine through research. Each location hosts a complete research facility, fully staffed and equipped to conduct clinical research trials.
The team welcomes new patients to the practice, which offers flexible scheduling throughout the week for new and existing patients. To ensure patients can get the medical care they need, Allergy and Asthma Clinic of Central Texas accepts most types of insurance coverage.
Is There Anything I Should Do Prior To Testing
There are some medications, such as antihistamines, that interfere with allergy testing. Your doctor will ask you to stop these medications for several days prior to testing. If you are unsure if a medication will interact with the test, you should contact your Allergy Partners physician for guidance.
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Who Should Be Tested For Allergies
People of all ages with symptoms that suggest they have allergic disease can be tested. These symptoms include:
Respiratory symptoms: Nasal congestion, runny nose, cough, wheezing, watery eyes, itchy eyes, nose, throat
Skin symptoms: Eczema, hives, itchiness
Abdominal symptoms: Abdominal pain and diarrhea after eating certain foods
Severe life threatening reactions, or anaphylaxis: This typically occurs with ingestions of foods or medication or insect stings
Stinging Insect Allergy Testing And Desensitization
Severe stinging insect allergy affects over 9.5 million Americans including 3% of adults and up to 1% of children. There are 40-100 deaths in the US per year and that number has not changed in the past 30 years. An adult who has experienced anaphylaxis with a sting has a 60-70% chance of having a similar or more severe reaction with the next. Fortunately, venom immunotherapy is 95-98% effective in preventing such reactions and can be lifesaving therapy.
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How We Can Help
Allergy Partners physicians are board certified experts in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of allergic diseases, including aspirin allergy. If you have symptoms suggestive of aspirin reactions, your Allergy Partners physician will take a detailed history, perform a physical exam, and determine if aspirin desensitization is appropriate for you.
Working together, you and your Allergy Partners physician will develop a comprehensive and personalized treatment plan.
What Will Happen During Allergy Testing
During your test, allergic antibodies will activate skin cells, called mast cells. Mast cells release chemicals, such as histamine, that cause swelling and redness, only in the areas where the allergens have touched your skin. This process usually only takes 15 minutes. The hives usually resolve within 30 minutes to one hour.
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How Is Eye Allergy Treated
The first line of treatment to ward against developing Eye Allergy is to identify and then avoid allergy triggers. Allergen skin testing is a quick and accurate test that will identify the particular allergens that trigger eye allergies. Once these triggers are identified, you can take environmental control measures to minimize your exposure. This includes:
In addition, your Allergy Partners physician can prescribe medications that will help soothe and alleviate Eye Allergy symptoms. Allergy injections, or immunotherapy, is a very effective therapy to help protect against the allergens causing your Eye Allergy.
Justin Chen Md Faaaai Facaai
Allergist / Immunologist
Dr. Justin Chen is an adult & pediatric allergist whose mission is bringing the absolute best allergy, asthma and immunology care to East Texas.
Dr. Chen graduated from Texas A& M University with a B.S. in biochemistry, where he received the college’s highest award for academic and extracurricular achievement. He earned his M.D. at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. His residency in Internal Medicine and fellowship in Allergy & Immunology were completed at the UT Southwestern University Hospitals & Clinics, Childrens Medical Center of Dallas and Parkland Memorial Hospital.
Dr. Chen is board-certified by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology and the American Board of Internal Medicine. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology , the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology , and is on the Board of Directors for the Texas Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Society. These designations recognize his leadership and dedication to the latest standards of care through continual education.
Outside of medicine Dr. Chen has completed several full and half-marathons over the years. He also enjoys swimming, travel, Aggie sports and spending time with his excitable dog.
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Here Are Some Ways That You Can Help Manage Dust Allergens In Your Home:
- Remove wall-to-wall carpets, particularly in the bedroom.
- Keep pets out of the bedroom.
- Minimize household humidity.
- Use mite-proof cases on mattresses and pillows and wash bed linens frequently in hot water.
- Install a high-efficiency media filter in your furnace and air conditioning unit and consider adding an air purifier to those areas of your home where you spend the most time.
Allison Rutelonis Rn Fnp
Allison is a certified occupational health specialist and is a member of the American Board of Occupational Health Nurses and American Association of Occupational Health Nurses. She is also certified by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners as a Family Nurse Practitioner and is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
Allison lives in Longview with her Husband, 2 dogs, and a cat. They will be welcoming a baby boy this summer. She enjoys hanging out with her family, playing with her nephews, and walking her dogs. She is excited to join the team at Allergy Partners and serving patients in the East Texas area.
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Create A Treatment Plan
Allergies can be treated through prevention, medication or immunotherapy.
- Prevention involves avoiding contact with the allergen that triggers your symptoms.
- Medications include antihistamines, decongestants, nasal sprays, eye drops and corticosteroids.
- Immunotherapy involves building up a tolerance to an allergen by introducing it to the body in small doses over a period of time through shots, drops or tablets.
Allergies arent always as obvious as they might appear, and OTC treatments may not be the best option. We can determine the true cause of your allergies and help you choose a targeted allergy treatment that works for you. Breathe easy. Schedule today.
What Causes Eye Allergy
In an allergic person, the immune system identifies common airborne materials as invaders, or allergens. On contact with these allergens, the immune system reacts and releases a variety of chemicals, including histamine, that cause the symptoms of allergies. In those with Eye Allergy, allergic triggers can be present indoors and outdoors. The most common outdoor allergens are grass, tree and weed pollens that will cause symptoms during particular times of the year. Indoor allergens are pet hair or dander, dust mites and mold and can cause year round symptoms.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Eye Allergy
The most common symptoms of Eye Allergy include redness, watery discharge, and itching of both eyes. Other symptoms include burning, sensitivity to light, and swelling of the eyelids. Both eyes are generally affected, although symptoms may be worse in one eye. Rubbing of the eyes can exacerbate symptoms. Many people will also have other allergy symptoms, such as sneezing and a runny nose.
The Desensitization Process Includes:
- Consult by a physician to determine if the patient is appropriate for desensitization
- Thorough explanation of the procedure and associated risks
- Lung function testing to ensure the patients asthma is stable prior to beginning
- Premedication with prednisone and montelukast to decrease risk of reactions
- Follow-up visit with a physician to monitor on-going aspirin therapy
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What Is Eye Allergy
Eye Allergy, also known as Allergic Conjunctivitis, is a very common disorder affecting millions of people every year. The conjunctiva is the mucous membrane covering the whites of the eyes and the inner side of the eyelids. If something irritates this clear membrane, the eyes may water, itch, hurt, or become red and or swollen. There are many causes of conjunctivitis, including viral and bacterial infections. However, 50% of conjunctivitis cases seem by primary care doctors are allergic in nature. Eye allergy can occur alone or along with nasal allergy symptoms such as sneezing and stuffy nose.
What We Do
At South Texas Allergy & Asthma Medical Professionals, we offer a variety of services that address your health needs and well being. Click any of the images below to learn more about each service. If you have a question, pleasecontact usat any time and our health professionals will be happy to assist you.
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