Immunotherapy

If you suspect you have allergies and need testing or know you do and want an effective treatment, turn to Advanced Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology Center PA - Dr. Patricia Gomez Dinger in the Stone Oak area of San Antonio and Schertz, Texas. The experienced medical team offers immunotherapy for certain foods and other potential allergens. Schedule an evaluation by phone or request one online today for symptom relief.

What is immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy is a type of allergy treatment that helps prevent future allergic reactions. It gradually exposes your body to increasing amounts of allergens to desensitize your immune system and reduce the severity of or eliminate complications. 

Which allergens can immunotherapy address?

Immunotherapy at Advanced Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology Center PA - Dr. Patricia Gomez Dinger may help treat allergic reactions from exposure to the following allergens:

• Pollen
• Cedar
• Other environmental allergens
• Dust mites
• Pet dander
• Mold
• Bee venom
• Wheat
• Soy
• Milk
• Tree nuts
• Peanuts
• Eggs
• Fish
• Shellfish
• Sesame

Receiving incremental doses of allergens allows your immune system to become less sensitive to these or other allergens over time. 

Is immunotherapy right for me?

To determine if you’re a candidate for immunotherapy, the team at Advanced Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology Center PA - Dr. Patricia Gomez Dinger discusses your medical history, lifestyle habits, symptoms, and medications. 

They complete a physical exam and order blood tests, skin prick testing, patch testing, or other diagnostic tests to determine which specific allergens your body reacts to.

What happens during immunotherapy treatment?

What you can expect during immunotherapy depends on the type of treatment you undergo. Examples of immunotherapy options include:

Allergy shots
Receiving shots of small amounts of allergens in increasing doses over time helps reduce symptoms when exposed to such allergens in the future.

Rush immunotherapy
Rush immunotherapy involves taking medications to lower your immune system’s response before you receive allergy shots frequently during the first phases of treatment. This helps speed up the body’s desensitization process.

Sublingual immunotherapy
Sublingual immunotherapy exposes your body to allergens in increasing doses using tablets placed under your tongue. 

Oral immunotherapy for foods
Oral immunotherapy for treating food allergies involves consuming small amounts of increasing amounts of food allergens with a goal of higher allergic reaction thresholds. You complete food immunotherapy with the help of your allergist.

How long does immunotherapy take?

The length of time it takes to complete immunotherapy depends on the type of treatment you undergo. It might take several months up to several years or longer. Your specialist determines how long your treatment may take and how often to schedule treatment sessions. 

Schedule an immunotherapy evaluation at Advanced Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology Center PA - Dr. Patricia Gomez Dinger by phone or request one online today.