Diagnosis and Treatment of Allergies

Allergies affect millions of children and adults and can significantly interfere with daily life. At AllergySA, our board-certified allergists provide comprehensive allergy care for both adult and pediatric patients throughout San Antonio and surrounding communities, helping identify triggers, relieve symptoms, and create long-term treatment plans tailored to each patient.

What Is an Allergy?

An allergy occurs when the immune system overreacts to a substance that is normally harmless, such as pollen, pet dander, food, or medications. These substances, called allergens, trigger inflammation and symptoms that can range from mild to severe.

Allergies often run in families. If one or both parents have allergies, their children are more likely to develop them as well. This genetic link helps explain why conditions such as asthma, eczema, and hay fever often appear across generations.

Common Symptoms of Allergies

Allergy symptoms vary depending on the trigger and the part of the body affected. Common symptoms include:

• Sneezing and nasal congestion
• Runny or itchy nose
• Itchy, watery, or red eyes
• Cough or throat irritation
• Wheezing or shortness of breath
• Skin rashes or hives

When left untreated, allergies can lead to chronic sinus infections, sleep disturbances, worsening asthma symptoms, and other complications. Early evaluation and treatment by an allergy and asthma specialist can help prevent these issues and keep symptoms under control.

Diagnosing Allergies

Accurate diagnosis is the foundation of effective allergy treatment. Your AllergySA providers will begin with a detailed medical history and physical exam, focusing on symptom patterns, triggers, family history, and environmental exposures.

Diagnostic tools may include:

• Skin prick testing to identify environmental and food allergens
• Blood testing when skin testing is not appropriate
• Lung function testing if asthma symptoms are present
• Oral food challenges when needed to confirm or rule out food allergies

These tools allow allergists to develop the most effective treatment plan and often move beyond symptom treatment to target the underlying cause.

Types of Allergies We Diagnose and Treat

Some allergies are seasonal, often caused by pollen and peaking in certain months, while others are perennial, meaning they occur year-round due to triggers like dust mites, mold, or pet dander.

Allergies can also change over time in what’s known as the “allergic march”, for example, young children may start with eczema or food allergies that later progress to hay fever or asthma. When under the care of an allergy and asthma specialist, patients are monitored for evolving allergic developments.

Our board certified providers are specialists in treating:

Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever)

Allergic rhinitis, commonly known as hay fever, is an immune system reaction to airborne allergens. It is one of the most common allergic conditions and a frequent reason patients seek allergy care in San Antonio.

Pollen Allergies

Tree, grass, and weed pollens are common triggers and often cause seasonal allergy symptoms such as sneezing, congestion, and itchy eyes. In south Texas, allergic symptoms triggered by Mountain Cedar, Oak, and Ragweed pollen are very common in our area.

Mold Allergies

Mold spores can be present year-round, especially in warm, humid climates like South Texas, and may cause nasal and respiratory symptoms indoors or outdoors.

Pet Dander Allergy

Proteins found in the skin flakes, saliva, and urine of cats and dogs can trigger allergy symptoms, even in homes without pets.

Dust Mite Allergy

Dust mites are microscopic organisms found in bedding, carpets, and upholstered furniture and are a common cause of year-round nasal allergies.

Cockroach Allergy

Cockroach allergens are a significant trigger for nasal allergies and asthma, particularly in urban environments.

Food Allergies

Food allergies occur when the immune system reacts to specific foods and can cause symptoms ranging from mild to life-threatening. It is critical to identify the foods that must be avoided, create an emergency action plan, and carry an epinephrine device for use in the event of an accidental exposure. Ongoing monitoring is important, especially in children who may outgrow certain food allergies.

Other Types of Allergies We Treat

Skin Allergy

Eczema and hives, both of which are related to allergies, are two of the most common types of skin rashes. Contact dermatitis is a reaction that appears when the skin comes in contact with an irritant or allergen. An allergy specialist can diagnose and treat your skin condition when it is the result of an allergy.

Medication Allergies

Reactions to antibiotics, like penicillin, or other drugs may require allergy testing or supervised medication challenges to confirm or rule out a true allergy.

Insect Venom Allergies

Allergic reactions to bee, wasp, hornet, or fire ant stings can be severe. Allergists evaluate venom allergies and may recommend venom immunotherapy, a highly effective treatment to prevent future reactions.

Latex Allergy

Latex allergy can cause skin reactions, respiratory symptoms, or severe allergic responses. Allergists help confirm the diagnosis and guide safe avoidance strategies.

Allergy Treatment Options

Treatment plans are individualized and may include:

• Medications to control symptoms
• Environmental control and avoidance strategies
• Allergy immunotherapy (allergy shots or drops) to reduce sensitivity to allergens over time
• Advanced therapies, such as biologics, for patients with asthma or severe allergic disease

With the right approach, most patients experience significant relief, improved sleep, better breathing, and a reduced risk of long-term complications.

Our goal is simple: help you breathe easier, sleep better, and get back to the activities you enjoy.