Allergies can make your life miserable. Learning how to manage allergies in Southlake and Fort Worth TX may require you to see a specialist. Dr. Rene Leon, Dr. Ali Shakouri, and Dr. Ernesto Ruiz-Huidobro at Texas Regional Asthma and Allergy Center provide the expert information and treatment to help you to live with your allergies.
Food allergies
The most obvious way to manage allergies is to avoid the allergens that are affecting your health. If your allergies are to things you eat or drink, it is much easier to deal with than with things that are located in the environment. About 10% of adults do have some sort of food allergy ranging from mild to serious. The most serious cases can result in anaphylaxis, which is life-threatening. If you have this type of reaction to anything, you should carry an EpiPen at all times. The FDA has recognized the eight most common allergy-causing foods: milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts (which include walnuts), peanuts, wheat, and soybean.
Common allergies
If you are dealing with allergies in Southlake and Fort Worth TX, you want and need relief. By visiting a medical practice that specializes in allergies and asthma, you will have access to the latest in medical treatments. The most common allergies (excluding foods) are:
- Pollen
- Dust mites
- Mold spores
- Pet dander
- Insect stings
- Medicines
Identifying allergies
The first step in managing your allergies is to identify what they are. Allergy testing will be done in the office and includes scratch testing and intradermal skin testing. After your initial visit, an appointment will be made for the testing date. The tests can take between 1.5 to 2 hours to perform. Before your test day, you will get a list of medications to discontinue and foods to avoid. These can affect the results, so it's important to read the list carefully.
Treatment
Once the allergens have been identified, a plan can be devised to help to manage your allergies. The first treatments offered are usually antihistamines and decongestants. The treatment may start with over-the-counter medication and if that is not doing the job, then stronger prescription options will be provided. If this is still not managing the situation, immunotherapy is the next option. This involves allergy shots that help your body to learn to live with the allergens. This can be the answer for those with severe allergies.
Contact Dr. Leon, Dr. Shakouri, and Dr. Ruiz-Huidobro of the Texas Regional Asthma and Allergy Center to deal with your allergies in Southlake, and Fort Worth/Keller. You can reach the Southlake Office at (817-421-0770) or our Fort Worth/Keller office at (817-421-0770).