• Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Call (210) 616-0882
AllergySA
  • Welcome
  • Meet The Providers
  • Services
  • Allergysa Blog
    • Blog (In English)
    • Blog (En Español)
    • In The News
  • Locations
  • Contact Us
  • Refer A Patient
  • Patient Portal
  • Pay Online
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
Uncategorized

Have You Met Your Deductible? A Good Time for Allergy Testing

Have You Met Your Deductible?

The end of the year is a good time to think about how to get the most from your health insurance, including scheduling an appointment for an allergy test. Both allergy testing and treatments are covered by most insurance plans, so if you’ve met your deductible for the year, your out-of-pocket costs could be minimal, or possibly zero. If you choose allergy shots as your treatment option, starting them while your deductible is met has additional financial benefit. Under most insurance plans your deductible will reset to the full amount beginning on January 1. Make sure you and your family members get the most from your health insurance and flexible spending accounts this year.

Prepare for Winter

The winter season not only brings colder temperatures, but also cold and flu season. Both can impact people with asthma.  The best way to stay healthy during the coming months is to make sure your asthma is well-controlled going into the season.  Now is also a good time to schedule a visit with an AllergySA provider to discuss symptom control and any necessary changes to your current asthma and allergy management plan.  

Don’t Suffer Through Another Pollen Season 

Winter is a great time to help your body prepare for the spring allergy season. Depending on the results from testing, our allergists will determine the best way to treat your allergic symptoms. If allergen immunotherapy (shots or drops) is recommended, you can start building your body’s resistance to your specific allergic triggers now. Don’t wait until you are miserable to start treating your allergy symptoms.

Insurance Information

AllergySA accepts most major health insurance plans.  Some plans may not cover all of our services or may have referral requirements that are the responsibility of the patient. Please check with your insurance carrier to determine your specific plan benefits and if there are any referral requirements for your visit.

If you have questions about the plans we accept or your plan’s coverage for our services, please call (210) 616-0882.  One of our team members will answer your questions and schedule your appointment if desired. 

Schedule a visit with one of our allergy and asthma specialists today and breathe better in 2023! 

November 10, 2022/by Kayla Gomez
https://4xz24f.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/iStock-1422875116-copy.jpg?time=1679343503 1224 1711 Kayla Gomez https://4xz24f.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/allergysa-logo-accredited.png Kayla Gomez2022-11-10 14:01:522022-11-10 14:07:05Have You Met Your Deductible? A Good Time for Allergy Testing
Allergies, English, Health

Allergy & Asthma Tips for a Happy Holiday Season

The holiday and winter season can be a tough time for individuals with allergies or asthma. From the cold weather to the holiday meals, it’s important for individuals with these conditions to be aware of potential risks they might face. Here are some tips to help you avoid seasonal triggers and holiday challenges.

Asthma

  • Avoid holiday air fresheners. Gingerbread, pumpkin, and pine scents can be inviting for some, yet hazardous for others. One-third of people with asthma report health problems from air fresheners which contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOC exposure can increase the risk of asthma in children. Holiday candles and other items that provide seasonal scents can also trigger allergic symptoms in some people.
  • A fire in the hearth is wonderful this time of the year, but smoke is a common trigger for those with asthma. You might have to mingle in another room — and as always — stay away from cigarette smoke.
  • Asthma can also be triggered by exposure to the cold/dry air of winter. Our increased exposure to viral infections during these winter months is an additional concern for asthmatics.

Seasonal and Environmental Allergies

  • Although some areas of the country experience a reprieve from seasonal pollen triggers in the winter months, here in Texas, we get to deal with Mountain  Cedar tree pollen. Symptoms which include runny nose, congestion, itchy eyes, and cough, can impact those allergic to this tree’s pollen from late November through February. The male tree produces ‘puffs’ that look like pollen clouds and sometimes resemble smoke. Those with ‘Cedar Fever’ may also experience sore throat, headache, and fatigue, making this a miserable time of the year.
  • Christmas trees are often cited as the source of an allergy attack during the holidays. The mold that is associated with watering live trees and the chemicals sprayed on these trees are most likely culprits.
  • Tree sap contains terpene and other substances that can irritate skin and mucous membranes. Trees may also be harboring pollen from their time on the tree farm. If you choose a live tree, try blasting it with a leaf blower or rinse it and allow it to dry before bringing it inside. Wear long sleeves and gloves when handling the tree. Running an air purifier in the same room as the tree may also reduce your allergic symptoms.
  • Artificial trees and other decorations can still trigger symptoms due to the dust and mold they often collect. Remember to store artificial trees and other decorations in dry/airtight containers and wipe them down before storing them.
  • Poinsettias, a member of the rubber tree family, are everywhere this time of year. Although the risk of a severe reaction is low, it’s best to avoid direct contact with this plant if you have a latex allergy.
  • Fido and The Thanksgiving Effect. You may have become tolerant to your dog or cat, but if you go away for the holidays or are a college student returning home for the break, you may find yourself sneezing and wheezing. This is known as The Thanksgiving Effect. Speak with your allergist for ways to control these symptoms.

Food Allergies

The holiday season means dining away from home, parties, and special foods. The key to managing food allergies is to be certain what you are allergic to and communicating this information to others. Allergy skin prick testing and, when appropriate, an oral food challenge is the most accurate test for diagnosing a food allergy.

  • Always inquire about ingredients in foods, and never leave home without your injectable epinephrine (at any time of the year!)
  • Be careful at the holiday feast. Food allergens can show up in the strangest places — so be cautious when making your plate. You may be surprised to learn that even turkey can be tricky! Allergens in stuffing can be absorbed into the meat, so cook the bird unstuffed.
  • Consider a natural turkey that has no additives. Some self-basting brands can contain soy, wheat, and dairy.
  • If your child has a food allergy, volunteer to provide allergen-free snacks for school parties or holiday events to ensure there will be safe food available your child can enjoy. Remind your child to always ask if this food is “safe” for them as there is an abundance of new items around during this season.

Take Care of Yourself!

  • Get enough sleep, manage stress, and stay hydrated.
  • Always carry your allergy and asthma medications like antihistamines, inhalers, and epinephrine.
  • If traveling by plane, pack medications in your carry-on bag in the event your luggage does not arrive with you.
  • Wash your hands frequently to avoid illness, and make sure you are up to date on all vaccinations, including your annual flu shot. No one wants to be sick, especially this time of year!

Best wishes for a safe and symptom-free holiday season! Remember, we are here to help should you need us.  Call us at (210) 616-0882.

November 9, 2022/by Kayla Gomez
https://4xz24f.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/iStock-1161792469.jpg?time=1679343503 1299 2309 Kayla Gomez https://4xz24f.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/allergysa-logo-accredited.png Kayla Gomez2022-11-09 08:07:152022-11-09 08:07:15Allergy & Asthma Tips for a Happy Holiday Season
Allergies, English, Health, Illness

Why You Should Get Your Flu Shot

New variants of the COVID-19 coronavirus, influenza, and other viruses will be circulating and spreading over the coming months. Flu and other viral infections can trigger asthma attacks and a worsening of asthma symptoms. Influenza also can lead to pneumonia and other acute respiratory diseases. Reports indicate that Australia is nearing the end of its worst flu season in five years. Flu season in Australia is often an indication of what’s to come in the U.S.

The best way to stay healthy this coming season is to be current on all vaccinations, including influenza and COVID-19.

Flu shots are available to AllergySA patients at all 3 locations. Although the influenza vaccine is recommended for most children and adults, it is especially important that our patients with asthma, chronic sinusitis, and immunodeficiency receive their yearly flu shot. Patients between the ages of 6 months and 65 years should visit their AllergySA office to receive the 2022/2023 influenza vaccine. (It is recommended that patients over the age of 65 receive the high-dose influenza vaccine, which AllergySA does not administer. Please visit your primary care physician or local pharmacy.)

No appointment is necessary; however, you should be a current patient. Flu shots can be given to most immunotherapy patients 20 minutes after receiving your allergy injection. Protection from the vaccine begins about two weeks after the injection and is thought to last for the influenza season.

Protect Your Community

Getting the flu vaccine, and being vaccinated against COVID, will protect not only you and your family, but also the community. Our healthcare systems, especially during the coming months, may become overwhelmed treating patients with flu, COVID-19, and other viruses. By getting vaccinated, we can hope to decrease the utilization of our healthcare system, preserving resources for those that need them most.

Stay Healthy!

If you have not been seen recently, now is a great time to schedule an appointment with your AllergySA provider. The better your baseline health going into this season, the better you will be able to fight any infections that come your way.

* Please note that some insurance plans may not cover the influenza vaccine if received in our office. You may prefer to visit your primary care practice for this year’s flu vaccine. Please check the coverage of your specific insurance plan. If your insurance does not cover it, and you receive the vaccine from AllergySA, you will be required to pay the out-of-pocket expense.

November 3, 2022/by Kayla Gomez
https://4xz24f.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Untitled-design-74-1.png?time=1679343503 3456 6912 Kayla Gomez https://4xz24f.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/allergysa-logo-accredited.png Kayla Gomez2022-11-03 12:17:042022-11-03 12:21:45Why You Should Get Your Flu Shot

BLOG CATEGORIES

  • Allergies (34)
  • English (56)
  • Health (48)
  • Illness (9)
  • News (7)
  • Recipes (10)
  • Spanish (6)
  • Uncategorized (1)
  • YouTube (3)

BLOG ARCHIVES

  • March 2023 (1)
  • January 2023 (1)
  • December 2022 (1)
  • November 2022 (3)
  • October 2022 (2)
  • September 2022 (2)
  • March 2022 (1)
  • August 2021 (1)
  • July 2021 (1)
  • June 2021 (1)
  • May 2021 (2)
  • April 2021 (1)
  • March 2021 (2)
  • January 2021 (1)
  • December 2020 (1)
  • November 2020 (1)
  • May 2020 (1)
  • March 2020 (1)
  • February 2020 (2)
  • October 2019 (1)
  • September 2019 (2)
  • August 2019 (3)
  • July 2019 (1)
  • April 2019 (3)
  • January 2019 (5)
  • May 2018 (3)
  • December 2017 (1)
  • May 2017 (1)
  • April 2017 (1)
  • February 2017 (1)
  • December 2016 (1)
  • November 2016 (1)
  • October 2016 (2)
  • June 2016 (4)
  • May 2016 (6)
  • April 2016 (3)
  • January 2015 (1)

LOCATION INFORMATION

Medical Center

2414 Babcock Rd #109
San Antonio, TX 78229

Medical Center AllergySA - 2414 Babcock Rd #109, San Antonio, TX 78229
Clinic Hours

Monday: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Tuesday: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Wednesday: 8:00am – 7:00pm
Thursday: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Friday: 8:00am – 12:00pm
Saturday: 8:00am – 12:00pm

Allergy Shot Hours

Monday: 8:00am – 4:40pm
Tuesday: 8:00am – 4:40pm
Wednesday: 8:00am – 6:15pm
Thursday: 8:00am – 4:40pm
Friday: 8:00am – 11:40am
Saturday: 8:00am – 11:40am

Stone Oak

19016 Stone Oak Pkwy #250
San Antonio, TX 78258

Stone Oak AllergySA - 19016 Stone Oak Pkwy #250, San Antonio, TX 78258
Clinic Hours

Monday: 8:00am-5:00pm
Tuesday: 8:00am-5:00pm
Wednesday: 8:00am-5:00pm
Thursday: 8:00am-5:00pm

Allergy Shot Hours

Monday: 8:00am – 4:40pm
Tuesday: 8:00am – 4:40pm
Wednesday: 8:00am – 4:40pm
Thursday: 8:00am – 4:40pm

Southside

7500 Barlite Blvd #106
San Antonio, TX 78224

South Side - AllergySA.com - 7500 Barlite Blvd #106, San Antonio, TX 78224
Clinic Hours

Monday: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Tuesday: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Wednesday: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Thursday: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Friday: 8:00am – 12:00pm

Allergy Shot Hours

Monday: 8:00am – 4:40pm
Tuesday: 8:00am – 4:40pm
Wednesday: 8:00am – 4:40pm
Thursday: 8:00am – 4:40pm
Friday: 8:00am – 11:40am

CONTACT INFORMATION

OFFICE: (210) 616-0882  | FAX: (210) 692-7833

© Copyright - AllergySA.com | Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology Associates of South Texas
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Scroll to top