Dilley Allergy & Asthma Specialists,
LLP
Oak Hills Medical Building
7711 Louis Pasteur Drive
Suite 407
San Antonio, Texas 78229 Phone:
210.614.4405 Fax: 210.614.7892
Allergens
and Allergy Desensitization Allergens are small protein substances
commonly found in plants, animals, house dust,
foods, medications, and insects. Persons with
allergies make immune responses to these allergens
by producing allergic antibodies (Immunoglobulin
E). So a person with an allergy to dust, mold,
or grass pollen is said to be "sensitized"
to that allergen. Most people have multiple allergen
sensitivities.
Allergy symptoms occur when a sensitized person
encounters their allergen(s) either by direct
contact (eyes, nose, mouth, or skin), ingestion,
or inhalation into the lungs or lower airway.
Early symptoms usually appear in seconds to minutes
and may include sneezing, itching, watery/runny
nose and eyes, nasal congestion, cough, scratchy
throat, wheezing, rashes, swelling (eyelids, lips,
tongue, or extremities), vomiting, bloating or
diarrhea. If not treated promptly, symptoms may
worsen or become persistent.
A
Cedar Tree Bursting with Pollen
We can help determine
a person's allergies by taking a complete medical history,
physical examination, and by performing allergy skin
tests. Dr. Dilley and his medical staff will determine
each individual's specific allergies to determine treatment.
In addition to avoidance measures and medications, we
may recommend allergy immunotherapy ("allergy shots").
These are a series of injections containing small to
increasing doses of relevant allergens meant to reduce
your allergies by a process called "desensitization".
The benefits of desensitization include better control
of symptoms, reduced secondary infections, reduction
of medication use, and in children the possibility of
preventing the development of asthma.
We offer both conventional and RUSH immunotherapy. Unlike
conventional, RUSH immunotherapy allows you to build
up to your therapeutic dose of allergy injections in
half a day as opposed to the usual 8-12 weeks. The result
is more rapid improvement in symptoms and less time
away from home, work, or school. Dr. Dilley can help
you determine which method is best for you.
