Allergy & Allergy Specialist

THE EAR INSTITUTE OF TEXAS PROVIDES ALLERGY TESTING AND IMMUNOTHERAPY

Allergies are the result of a chain reaction that starts in the immune system. Your immune system controls how your body defends itself. If you have an allergy to a substance, such as a type of pollen, your immune system identifies the pollen as an invader. In an allergic individual, the immune system overproduces antibodies called Immunoglobulin E. These antibodies attach to an allergen (such as pollen) and also attach to cells that release chemicals (such as histamine) causing an allergic reaction (generally termed allergic rhinitis).

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Overview

Allergies are one of the most common chronic diseases. A chronic disease lasts a long time or occurs often. An allergy occurs when the body’s immune system sees a substance as harmful and overreacts to it. The substances that cause allergic reactions are allergens. When someone has allergies, their immune system makes an antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE). These antibodies respond to allergens. The symptoms that result are an allergic reaction.

AAFA has a lot of information on our site to help you learn more about allergies. Also consider joining a local support group or contacting a regional chapter if one is in your area.

What Are the Types of Allergens?

What Are the Symptoms of Allergies?

The most common allergy symptoms can simply make you uncomfortable. For example, you may have watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, a rash or hives. Other more serious symptoms, like trouble breathing and swelling in your mouth or throat, may be a life-threatning reaction called anaphylaxis (“anna-fih-LACK-sis”).

Source: https://www.aafa.org/allergies.aspx

How Can I Tell If I Have a Cold or Allergies?

Distinguishing between a common cold and environmental allergies is essential for receiving the correct treatment. While both can cause congestion and sneezing, a cold is a viral infection that typically lasts three to ten days and may be accompanied by a fever or body aches. In contrast, allergies are an immune system response to harmless substances like pollen or pet dander. Allergy symptoms often persist as long as the allergen is present and are frequently characterized by itchy, watery eyes and clear nasal discharge, rather than the thicker mucus associated with a cold.

What Happens If I Don't Treat My Allergies?

Ignoring persistent symptoms can lead to more than just daily discomfort. Untreated allergies can result in chronic complications, such as ear infections, and worsened asthma symptoms. Over time, the constant inflammation of the nasal passages can impact your quality of sleep, leading to fatigue and decreased productivity. Seeking professional allergy treatment ensures that you are managing the root cause rather than just masking the symptoms.

Does Mold Really Affect My Allergies?

Yes, mold is a potent allergen that thrives in damp environments, both indoors and outdoors. Mold spores are microscopic and easily inhaled, triggering symptoms like coughing, wheezing, and skin rashes in sensitive individuals. Because mold can grow behind walls or under carpets, it is often a hidden culprit for year-round symptoms. If you suspect mold is affecting your health, specialized testing can confirm this sensitivity.

How Can I Reduce Exposure to Common Allergens?

While it is difficult to avoid allergens entirely, proactive measures can significantly reduce your allergic load. We recommend keeping windows closed during high-pollen seasons, using HEPA air filters indoors, and washing bedding weekly in hot water to eliminate dust mites. For those with pet allergies, keeping animals out of the bedroom can provide a much-needed sanctuary for your immune system.

Is Allergy Testing Painful?

One of the most common concerns regarding allergy testing for adults is the level of discomfort involved. We want to reassure you that modern testing is highly refined and designed to be as minimally invasive as possible. When considering how to do allergy test procedures, most specialists utilize the "skin prick" method. This involves placing a tiny drop of allergen extract on the surface of the skin and lightly scratching it. While you may experience some itching or redness, similar to a mosquito bite, it is not considered painful.

How Long Does Allergy Testing Take?

Patients often ask how long allergy testing takes when scheduling their initial consultation. Generally, the skin testing portion takes about 15 to 20 minutes to develop. Including the time for the initial consultation and a review of your results with the specialist, you should plan to be in the office for approximately one hour. This efficient process allows us to identify your specific triggers and discuss personalized allergy solutions during the same visit.

Additional Information

Do you suffer from allergic rhinitis? Rhinitis refers to inflammation of the nasal passages. This inflammation may cause a variety of annoying symptoms which vary from person to person. Although the term “rhinitis” refers only to nasal symptoms, many patients also experience problems with other organ systems, including their ears, eyes, throat, and skin, as well as disruption of sleep. Therefore, it is helpful to consider the entire spectrum of symptoms. If you have allergies, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

Nose: Watery nasal discharge, blocked nasal passages, sneezing, nasal itching, post-nasal drip, loss of taste, facial pressure or pain, or sinusitis.
Ears: Itchy ear canals, recurring ear canal infections, recurring middle ear infections, eustachian tube dysfunction, pressure in the ears, ear drainage, dizziness, Meniere’s disease, vertigo. (Fluid can accumulate in the middle ear in response to allergies, due to fluid production by the middle ear/mastoid and also due to inability for the fluid to drain out through eustachian tube into the throat. The fluid often has a mucous quality. This will cause a decrease in hearing and you may also develop dizziness/vertigo. If the ear is unable to drain normally, an environment is created which allows bacteria and viruses to grow and multiply, causing ear infections.)
Eyes: Itchy eyes, red eyes, feeling of grittiness in the eyes, swelling and blueness of the skin below the eyes (called allergic shiners).
Throat: Sore throat, throat infection, hoarse voice or itching of the throat.
Sleep: Mouth breathing, frequent awakening, daytime fatigue, difficulty performing daily tasks.
Other: Exacerbation of migraines, rashes, eczema.

The allergic reaction is characterized by activation of two types of inflammatory cells; mast cells and basophils. These cells produce inflammatory substances, including histamine, which causes fluid and swelling to build up in the nasal tissues (congestion), nasal itching, sneezing, and runny nose. Over several hours, these substances activate other inflammatory cells that can cause persistent symptoms. The allergic response is an overreaction to a harmless substance. When the allergic patient comes across something to which they are sensitive, the allergic cascade begins, often leading to misery.

You may suffer only seasonally (in the spring or fall) or you may suffer from allergies all year long. With the warm and dry climate in San Antonio, many residents suffer from allergies year-round. When an allergen is present year-round, the predominant nasal symptoms include post-nasal drip, persistent nasal congestion, and resulting poor-quality sleep. In this office, we see many patients who suffer ear-related symptoms (including ear itching, ear pressure, ear infections, Meniere’s disease, and associated dizziness) and/or migraines. San Antonio is regularly rated as one of the top 10 allergy cities in the United States, so many individuals in San Antonio and the surrounding area are significantly affected by allergies.

Although medications may reduce or prevent symptoms, only a regimen of immunotherapy (e.g. allergy shots) can prevent long term relief. Allergy shots have been used by the medical profession since 1911. The time-tested therapy decreases a patient’s sensitivity by introducing increasingly larger doses of the substances to which the patient is allergic. When indicated by positive allergy testing, the treatment is a method for increasing the allergic patient’s natural resistance to the things that are triggering the allergic reactions.

If you have allergies, you may be wondering if allergy shots are the best treatment for you. After all, taking regular shots isn’t anyone’s idea of fun, but the possibility of being free from your allergy symptoms may be worth it. If you require multiple medications to control your symptoms, allergy shots may actually be a cost saving option when considering the pharmacy co-pays, the out-of-pocket expense of over-the-counter allergy medications, and perhaps missed work time. The goal of allergy shots is to gain this tolerance to harmless substances which are mistaken by your immune system for “dangerous invaders”.

Allergy shots are usually very effective in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Most patients will improve with the therapy. Immunotherapy “turns off” the allergic reaction to plant pollens, molds, dust mites, and animal dander, among others, over time. This is accomplished by the regular administration of the material to which you are allergic. The allergy extract prescription is specifically designed for you, based on an evaluation of your symptoms, medical history, physical findings, and allergy testing.

Here at the Ear Institute of Texas, many of our patients have reported relief from their allergy symptoms after undergoing immunotherapy treatments. This includes not only nasal allergy symptoms, but also relief from allergy symptoms related to the ear (such as Meniere’s disease) and migraine disease. If you test positive for multiple allergens, our Providers typically recommend that you begin immunotherapy treatments.

If you have questions in regard to immunotherapy treatment, one of our friendly staff will be happy to assist you. We trust you will want to continue on your road to recovery by starting with immunotherapy as soon as possible.

Allergy testing has been recommended by your medical provider. The cost of this test can vary depending on your insurance carrier and plan. Please contact your insurance carrier and provide them with the code 95004 for Allergy Testing (70 units), to get an estimate of your financial responsibility. Any patient responsibility will be collected at time of service. If you cancel less than 24-hours before your scheduled appointment, you will be charged a $75.00 cancellation fee.

Depending on your allergy test results, allergy treatment (known as Allergy Immunotherapy) might be recommended for you. The codes for the serum and injections for Allergy Immunotherapy are 95165 (28 units) and 95117, respectively. You can also obtain an estimate of your financial responsibility from your insurance carrier. Payment for the treatment will need to be collected prior to preparation of serum for injections.

You must not take any oral antihistamines for at least one week prior to allergy testing. Antihistamines are found in common allergy relief medications that are sold both over the counter and by prescription only. They can also be found in medications for heartburn and acid reflux, among others. Other types of medications may also interfere with allergy skin test results. Please see the list below for the most common medications that contain antihistamines or might otherwise affect test results. Patients on Immunotherapy, avoid allergy injection the week prior to allergy testing.

Please note: this is not an all-inclusive list. If you have any questions about medications, please call our office to speak with the allergy department. you may also contact your prescribing physician if you have questions about stopping your medications. DO NOT DISCONTINUE BLOOD PRESSURE MEDICATIONS.

Brand Name (generic name)

May continue the following:

Sudafed® or pseudoephedrine
Steroid nasal sprays (Flonase®, Rhinocort®, Nasonex®, Nasacort®, Nasarel®, Veramyst®, Fluticasone, Omnaris®, Afrin, Trimacinalone, Mometasone, etc.)
Guaifenesin (Humibid®, Robitussin®, Liquibid®, Profen II Forte®, Duratuss™, Mucinex®)
Pain medications – OTC and Prescription – (Tylenol® /acetaminophen, Excedrin®, Aleve, Advil® /ibuprofen/Motrin®, Aspirin®) – As long as they do not contain “PM”
Singular® (Montelukast)
Asthma Inhalers (Albuterol)
Proton Pump Inhibitors – Esomeprazole, Omeprazole, Lansoprazole, Pantoprazole, Dexlansoprazole, Rabeprazole
·SNRI and SSRI – Duloxetine, Desvenlafaxine, Milnacipran, Venlafaxine, Citalopram (Celexa), Escitalopram, Sertraline (Zoloft), Paroxetine, Fluoxetine, Onlazapine

List of common Beta Blockers: **

Discontinue 48 hours prior to allergy testing (must contact prescribing doctor for authorization)

acebutolol (Sectral)
atenolol (Tenormin)
betaxolol (Kerlone)
betaxolol (Betoptic S)
bisoprolol fumarate (Zebeta)
carteolol (Cartrol, discontinued)
carvedilol (Coreg)
esmolol (Brevibloc)
labetalol (Trandate [Normodyne – discontinued])
metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL)
nadolol (Corgard)
nebivolol (Bystolic)
penbutolol (Levatol)
pindolol (Visken, discontinued)
propranolol (Hemangeol, Inderal LA, Inderal XL, InnoPran XL)
sotalol (Betapace, Sorine)
timolol (Blocadren, discontinued)
timolol ophthalmic solution (Timoptic, Betimol, Istalol)

CONTACT THE ALLERGY DEPARTMENT WITH ANY QUESTIONS: (210) 696-4327

Have Questions?

Our staff is available to take your calls Monday through Friday from 8:00am – 5:00pm. You are also welcome to drop in to set up an appointment during normal office hours. To schedule an initial appointment with one of our audiologists, you may give us a call directly at (210) 696-4327 (HEAR). We look forward to hearing from you! “Better HEARing for a better life.”

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