Some steps you can take to reduce the incidence of asthma include:
Harker Heights & Temple Allergy and Asthma Clinics provide evaluation and treatment services for anyone currently displaying symptoms or at high risk of developing asthma. A visit to our office will help determine the triggers, both allergic and non-allergic, enabling us to recommend the best treatment plan.
Pulmonary function tests are a group of tests that measure how well the lungs take in and release air and how well they move gases such as oxygen from the atmosphere into the body’s circulation.
When most people get stung by an insect, it itches, gets red, and swells a little at the sting site.
However, if you are allergic to insect venom, your body’s immune system will react much more strongly, causing a severe reaction, in some it is even life-threatening. The life threatening reaction is called anaphylaxis.
If you have any of these symptoms after an insect sting, get medical treatment. Once you receive treatment make an appointment with us. We can diagnose your allergy and determine the best form of continued care and treatment for your allergy.
Sinusitis is an inflammation, or swelling, of the tissue lining the sinuses. Normally, sinuses are filled with air, but when sinuses become blocked and filled with fluid, germs (bacteria, viruses, and fungi) can grow and cause an infection.
Conditions that can cause sinus blockage include the common cold, allergic rhinitis (swelling of the lining of the nose), nasal polyps (small growths in the lining of the nose), or a deviated septum (a shift in the nasal cavity).
Either food allergy or food intolerance affects nearly everyone at some point. When people have an unpleasant reaction to something they ate, they often think that they have an allergy to the food. Actually, however, only about 3% of adults and 6%-8% of children have clinically proven true allergic reactions to food.
People with drug allergies may experience symptoms regardless of whether their medicine comes in liquid, pill or injectable form.
•Drug Allergy Symptoms
•Skin rash or hives
•Itching
•Wheezing or other breathing problems
•Swelling
Anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening reaction that can simultaneously affect two or more organ systems (for example, when there is both a rash and difficulty breathing).
Reactions can occur in any part of your body.
Your doctor may be able to diagnose hay fever based on your medical history, a physical exam, and your symptoms. Skin tests may be recommended to determine which substances trigger your allergies.
In a skin test, the doctor applies drops containing a small amount of allergy-causing substances called allergens to your arm or back. The procedure is painless and draws no blood. Developing a red, itchy bump in 15-20 minutes strongly suggests an allergy to that substance.
Some doctors use intradermal testing, where a small drop of the substance is placed under the skin with a needle and evaluated in 15-20 minutes.
A blood test may be used to check your blood for elevated levels of antibodies produced by your immune system against certain allergens. Each test has advantages and disadvantages.
If your eyes itch and are red, tearing or burning, you may have eye allergies (allergic conjunctivitis), a condition that affects millions of Americans. Many people will treat their nasal allergy symptoms but ignore their itchy, red, watery eyes.
Irritated skin can be caused by a variety of factors. These include immune system disorders, medications and infections. When an allergen is responsible for triggering an immune system response, then it is an allergic skin condition.
Patients with atopic dermatitis do not usually require emergency therapy, but they may visit the emergency department for treatment of acute flares caused by eczema herpeticum and bacterial infections.
To diagnose this common skin condition, dermatologists:
•Examine your skin, paying close attention to the rash.
•Ask about current and past health issues.
•Ask questions to help them determine what is causing the rash.
Finding the cause can require a bit of detective work. Your dermatologist may ask you questions about your work, free time, pets, and skin care products. Be sure to tell your dermatologist about all cosmetics you use. If you or a close family member uses a skin lightener, be sure to mention this, too.
If your dermatologist suspects that you have an allergy, patch testing may be recommended. This offers patients a safe and effective way to find out if your skin has developed an allergic reaction to anything.
Latex allergy diagnosis and treatment
Approximately 50% of people with latex allergy have a history of another type of allergy. Certain fruits and vegetables, such as bananas, chestnuts, kiwi, avocado and tomato can cause allergic symptoms in some latex-sensitive individuals. Dr. Long can help to accurately diagnose your condition and provide relief for your symptoms.
Cosmetic allergy diagnosis and treatment
Contact dermatitis refers to an inflammation of the skin resulting from direct contact of a substance with the surface of the skin.
Symptoms of contact dermatitis include:
• Red rash, bumps or a burn-like rash on the skin
• Itchy, painful or burning skin
• Blisters and draining fluid
Immunodeficiency evaluation and treatment
Immunodeficiency typically manifests as recurrent infections. Initially, infections due to immunodeficiency are typically upper and lower respiratory tract infections (eg, sinusitis, bronchitis, pneumonia). Immunodeficiency should be suspected when recurrent infections are the following:
• Severe
• Complicated
• In multiple locations
• Resistant to treatment
• Caused by unusual organisms
Immune function testing can help to determine causes.
Occupational allergic disorders diagnosis and treatment
Exposure to certain fungi (molds) can cause human illness, and reaction such as allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis. It is important to get tested to determine what could be causing an occupational allergic disorder.
Urticaria (hives) evaluation and treatment
Can be caused by a skin allergy (dermatitis/inflammation) or other allergy from food, medication or trigger from an allergic response to a substance. Symptoms and signs of hives include a raised, itchy red rash on the skin.
Scratch/prick and intradermal testing for allergy diagnosis
The skin prick test checks for immediate allergic reactions to as many as 40 different substances at once.
• Placing a small amount of substances that may be causing your symptoms on the skin, most often on the forearm, upper arm, or back.
• The skin is then pricked so the allergen goes under the skin’s surface.
• The health care provider closely watches the skin for swelling and redness or other signs of a reaction. Results are usually seen within 15 to 20 minutes.
• Several allergens can be tested at the same time.
Patch tests for allergy diagnosis
Patch testing is generally done to see whether a particular substance is causing allergic skin irritation (contact dermatitis). They don’t use needles. Instead, allergens are applied to patches, which are then placed on your skin.
Laboratory tests for allergy diagnosis
An allergen-specific antibody test can be used to help diagnose an allergy to a specific substance or substances for a person who presents with acute or chronic allergy-like symptoms. A lab test can help to determine the sources of the allergy so that proper treatment can be provided and recommended.
Allergy shots help your body get used to allergens, the things that trigger an allergic reaction. They don’t cure allergies, but eventually your symptoms will get better and you may not have allergic reactions as often. These shots, also called “immunotherapy,” may work for you if allergy drugs don’t work well or you have symptoms more than three months a year.
Eczema is the term for several different skin conditions. However, eczema most often refers to a common skin disease called atopic dermatitis, which causes a dry, itchy, red rash. Scratching the rash can cause it to ooze and crust over. Most types of eczema are not allergies, however, many people with eczema have flare-ups when they are exposed to allergens such as dust mites, pollen, animal dander or certain foods.
Bronchitis is a term that describes inflammation of the bronchial tubes (bronchi and the smaller branches termed bronchioles) that results in excessive secretions of mucus into the tubes with tissue swelling that may narrow or close off bronchial tubes. Chronic bronchitis is defined as a cough that occurs every day with sputum production that lasts for at least 3 months, 2 years in a row.
Irritated skin can be caused by an immune system disorder, medications or infections. When an allergen is responsible for triggering an immune system response, then it is an allergic skin condition. Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema), Allergic Contact Dermatitis, and Urticaria (Hives) are common forms of skin allergies that can be treated and managed by your Allergist/Immunologist.