Comprehensive Allergy Care from Board-Certified ENT Specialists
The evaluation in our Allergy Testing and Treatment Center begins with a detailed medical history and physical examination by our physicians. Our physicians are board-certified otolaryngologists (ear, nose, and throat specialists) and active members of the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy. With extensive training and years of clinical experience, they are experts in identifying and treating a wide range of allergic conditions. Their personalized treatment plans are designed to help you breathe more easily, sleep better, and enjoy lasting relief from allergy symptoms.
Seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis can cause frustrating symptoms, including nasal congestion, sneezing, watery and itchy eyes, postnasal drip, recurrent sinus infections, sinus pressure, and headaches. Many patients, however, do not experience these typical allergy symptoms. Instead, they develop progressive swelling of the turbinates inside the nose. These patients may report snoring, mouth breathing, and symptoms of sleep apnea.
Current Allergy Report for Austin, Texas
The treatments we offer can relieve you of these symptoms and free you up to be clear, rested, and healthy.
Allergy Testing
It is critical to be evaluated by a board-certified ENT physician during your initial visit to avoid missing a diagnosis that could make allergy therapy ineffective. A deviated septum, chronic sinus infections, nasal polyps, nasal tumors, and other conditions can all produce allergy-like symptoms, and they must be treated along with your allergies.
In our office, you can feel confident knowing that our physicians are available for follow-up appointments, questions, treatment adjustments, and ongoing care.
Allergy Blood Test
Management of allergies has advanced tremendously with RAST (radioallergosorbent) testing. This fast, reliable blood test can identify your specific allergies. Although it is not considered as reliable as skin testing, this test can be used when skin testing cannot be performed. Some adults who take certain blood pressure medications, called beta blockers, cannot safely pause these medications and therefore cannot undergo skin testing. RAST testing is used for these patients. It is also used for patients with a history of anaphylactic reactions to previous allergy testing.
Skin Allergy Test
We perform allergy skin testing in our in-office Allergy Center. Allergy skin testing is much easier and better tolerated with multi-pressure testing equipment. This allows multiple allergy tests to be performed safely and reliably at one time—without the need for needles! The testing takes about 30 minutes and is performed on the patient’s back. We can read the results immediately and explain which allergies the patient has. Because there are no needles used during our allergy skin testing, it is well tolerated, even by children.
Allergy Treatment Options
At Sinus & Snoring Specialists, we offer sublingual immunotherapy, also known as allergy drops, as a treatment option for allergies. This is an excellent option for patients who have a fear of needles. Most patients can stop allergy drop therapy after three years of treatment, once they have developed immunity.
Allergy Drop Therapy (SLIT – Sublingual immunotherapy)
Our office offers the convenience and safety of allergy drop therapy. This form of immunotherapy uses a customized solution containing the allergens to which the patient is allergic, prepared in a small vial. Allergy drops are taken once daily under the tongue to reduce the patient’s allergic response. There are no needles, no trips to the doctor’s office, and the treatment is effective for both children and adults. It is also safe for patients with asthma and for patients taking beta blockers, who typically cannot receive allergy shot therapy. With this form of immunotherapy, most patients can stop treatment after three years and enjoy long-lasting relief.
Lymph Node Injections (ILIT – Intralymphatic Immunotherapy)
You may have heard of clinics offering injections of allergens into to groin lymph nodes to treat allergy symptoms rather than using allergy drops. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, the use of allergy injections into lymph nodes to treat allergies remains experimental at this time. At present, there is limited to no data to demonstrate that it is effective for most allergens, and there has also been significant anaphylactic shock reactions with this treatment. At Sinus and Snoring Specialists, we offer the latest in proven forms of allergy treatment. Presently, we recommend allergy drop therapy as a proven, safer, painless, less costly, and convenient way to address your allergy symptoms.
Over-The-Counter Allergy Medicine
In addition to allergy drops, there are many safe and effective medications available. Our physician’s extensive understanding of how these different treatments work together and how they target specific symptoms allows him to create the ideal combination of therapies for each patient. Some of the most commonly used and effective medications include:
- Nasal steroid sprays
- Antihistamine sprays
- Oral antihistamines and leukotriene inhibitors
- Saline rinses
- Modern immunoglobulin therapies
Many holistic therapies may also provide additional benefits.
Allergy Relief in Austin – Hear from Our Patients
“I’ve been struggling for years with allergies (I thought), and Dr. Slaughter took the time to really find the root cause (chronic sinusitis) and put me on a path to feeling better already. I’m so happy I was referred here. And he was so very nice and attentive.”
-Sara
“I have been seeing Dr. Slaughter on and off for several years, for ongoing allergy/ sinus problems. He and his staff have always done what they do to help minimize my problems. I would call them my go-to folks to help me out. Exceptional.”
-Ronald
Surgical Therapy for Allergy Relief
Nasal blockage and congestion can persist despite effective allergy therapy if structural issues are present within the nose. A deviated septum, turbinate swelling, nasal polyps, and inflammation caused by chronic sinusitis can crowd the nasal cavity, making allergy therapy less effective. It is critical for patients to undergo a thorough evaluation by a board-certified ENT physician, including a nasal endoscopic examination and a mini CT scan, before starting an allergy treatment plan. Any structural abnormalities or sinus conditions should be addressed to achieve the best possible results from allergy treatment.
The following procedures may also be performed to help relieve nasal congestion, sinus pressure, and thick postnasal drainage.
Non-Surgical Sinus Treatment for Allergy Relief
Sinus pressure and recurring infections can persist even with effective allergy therapy. Our physicians also offer simple, nonsurgical in-office procedures to provide additional relief. The advanced procedures available through our Sinus and Nasal Center can significantly reduce allergy-related symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Balloon Sinuplasty
During the balloon sinuplasty procedure, our physicians place a small balloon catheter into the blocked sinus cavity while the patient is under IV sedation in our office. The balloon is inflated to open the sinus outflow tract, allowing the sinus to drain and ventilate normally. The balloon is removed immediately after dilation, and nothing is left in the nose or sinuses. This procedure can improve the sinuses’ ability to drain properly, even during an allergy flare-up. As a result, it helps relieve the sinus pressure, headaches, and drainage that often accompany allergy flare-ups.
Our office was involved in the development of the original prototype of the sinus balloon used today, and we serve as instructors for ENT physicians nationwide on how to perform this procedure. We pioneered the use of IV sedation for this procedure in the office, allowing us to perform advanced balloon sinuplasty in a comfortable outpatient setting. Using this technique, we can also address other structural issues at the same time, such as a deviated septum, enlarged turbinates, and nasal polyps. We also use advanced 3D CT image guidance to accurately place the balloon during every procedure.
Schedule a Consultation
Allergies can be very uncomfortable to live with and are often not diagnosed properly. Call our practice today at (512) 601-0303 to schedule a consultation with our physicians and receive the proper treatment for your allergies. Our practice serves Austin and the surrounding areas in Texas.
