Allergy Services

Whether you have a runny nose, itchy eyes, or an unbearable skin rash, allergies can make you miserable. Nneka Edokpayi, MD, and the experienced team at Rapha Health and Wellness provide comprehensive allergy services, including allergy testing, allergy shots, and other treatments tailored to ease your symptoms. If you need allergy relief, don’t wait to schedule an appointment. Call the office in Houston or Sugar Land, Texas, or request an in-person or virtual appointment online today.

When do I need allergy services?

Allergies develop when your immune system mistakenly identifies a safe substance as harmful. Every time you encounter that substance (your allergen), the immune system triggers a response that causes your allergy symptoms.

The most common allergens include:

• Pollen (trees, flowers, grasses, weeds)
• Poison ivy, oak, and sumac
• Mold spores
• Dust mites
• Pet dander
• Food proteins
• Insect venom
• Nickel
• Latex

You can also develop allergies to many medications, including penicillin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). 

What symptoms indicate I need allergy services?

Your specific symptoms depend on the type of allergen. As a group, allergies cause:

• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Stuffy nose
• Coughing
• Red, watery eyes
• Dark circles under your eyes
• Itchy nose, throat, and eyes
• Skin rashes
• Hives
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea

Allergies to food, medicine, insect stings, and latex can cause a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. During an anaphylactic reaction, you have sudden symptoms such as hives, swelling in your tongue and throat, and difficulty breathing.

Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency that can lead to loss of consciousness and a coma. You need to inject epinephrine (if you have it) and call 911 immediately.

What type of testing will I get during allergy services?

Allergy testing determines if you have allergies and identifies the precise allergen causing your symptoms.

Skin prick test

Most people have a skin prick test. Your provider places small drops of possible allergens on your arm, gently pricking the skin under each allergen. You wait in the office for about 15 minutes. If you’re allergic, you have a skin reaction at the site of the allergen.

Patch test

This test identifies allergies to substances that come into contact with your skin, like poison ivy and latex. Your provider puts your suspected allergens on a self-adhesive patch, then places the patch on your skin (usually on your back). 

You wear the patch for a few days, then go back to the office, where your provider checks for skin reactions.

Blood test

If you can’t have a skin test, your provider draws a blood sample and tests it for allergen antibodies.

What treatments do allergy services provide?

After evaluating your symptoms, doing a physical exam, and performing allergy tests, your provider creates a treatment plan that includes any of the following:

• Decongestants
• Nasal sprays
• Food avoidance
• Dietitian support
• Antihistamines
• Steroids
• Mast cell stabilizers
• Self-injectable epinephrine
• Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy, better known as allergy shots, desensitizes your immune system with regular injections of your allergen.

If you struggle with allergy symptoms, call Rapha Health and Wellness or book an appointment online today.