We are devoted to diagnosing and treating immune system disorders that result in allergies. This specialized consultation service includes the following pathologies: rhinitis, asthma, food allergies, medication allergies, urticaria (hives), chronic coughing and skin allergies.

An allergy occurs when you react to things like pollen or cats that don’t affect most people. If you come into contact with something you are allergic to (called an allergen), you may have symptoms such as itching or sneezing, itchy throat and ears, and hives. This is called an allergic reaction.

For those who experience allergies every year—an estimated 1 in 5 people—there is always the hope that they can find sustainable relief from the sneezing, coughing, runny noses, itchy watery, eyes, and many other symptoms allergies can cause.

We’re here to let you know that we can provide you with the most up-to-date and effective techniques for managing your allergies, helping you understand more about the allergies you or a loved one might be experiencing.

Common Symptoms of Allergies:

• Eyes – Itching, redness, swelling, tearing
• Ears – Fluid in the middle ear, recurrent infections
• Nose – Itching, congestion, sneezing, postnasal drip
• Sinus – Sinus pain, pressure, recurrent infection
• Lungs – Shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, coughing
• Skin – Itching, welts, hives, blistery rash
• Other – Headaches, fatigue, hyperactivity, depression

Avoid the allergen(s) – While this may work in some situations, some substances such as pollen are hard to avoid

Treat the symptoms – Medication can provide you with a measure of relief from your allergy symptoms, but it does nothing to address the root of the problem

Use immunotherapy – Alter the body’s reaction to the allergen(s). To desensitize your immune system’s reaction to the effect of the offending allergen is the only treatment method known to cure your allergy

With immunotherapy:

• You may use fewer sick days at work.
• Living your life as you want to becomes easier.
• Other diseases such as asthma and sinusitis may be better controlled.
• You may use fewer medications.

The goal of immunotherapy is to train the immune system to no longer react to otherwise harmless substances. This is achieved with weekly injections of an allergen solution to the patient. The dosage of the allergen given to the patient is not enough to cause a reaction but is sufficient to acclimatize the immune system to the allergen over a period of time. As the patient’s immune system becomes desensitized, the dose of the allergen is slowly increased. Maintenance injections are then administered monthly until the immune system develops a tolerance to the allergen and severe allergy symptoms are minimized. This process may take up to six months, although more permanent immunization is possible if the treatment is continued for three to five years. Immunotherapy is mainly reserved for severe cases of allergies that can lead to fatal complications. These include bee stings or severe allergic rhinitis (hay fever).

Pre-seasonal Immunotherapy: For patients who suffer from strong symptoms of seasonal allergies including trees, grass and ragweed. Pre-seasonal immunotherapy can provide a pre-seasonal “boost” to help reduce symptoms once the season begins.

Patients who test positive for seasonal allergies and fit the safety profile may be recommended for this high-dose seasonal allergen therapy ten to eight weeks before the allergy season begins, and continue treatment into the season. This treatment is considered an add-on to year-round inhalant sublingual immunotherapy. Some patients find that adding pre-seasonal treatment to their year-round therapy can reduce the time it takes to complete their therapy. Pre-seasonal Therapy is available in Sublingual for certain allergens and Sub subcutaneous allergen shots. You can inquire in the clinic for more information if you are a suitable candidate for pre-seasonal Immunotherapy.

Subcutaneous Immunotherapy (SCIT)
Treatment: Injections of allergen extract
Administered: In your physician’s office
Frequency: Weekly, for a 30-minute appointment and after 6 months monthly injections
Payment: Covered by most insurance plans.

Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT)
Treatment: Drops of allergen taken orally
Administered: In your home
Frequency: Daily drops at home. Quarterly ordered, to pick up the next vial of drops at the office.
Payment: Some insurance plans cover it; so inquire with us and find out from your insurance

If you feel that your allergy medication and avoidance measures do not help as much as you would like, you should consult dr Roux regarding evaluation and individualized treatment.