Allergy

UT Southwestern Medical Center specialists provide allergy and asthma treatments that make an important difference in patients’ lives. We offer expert diagnosis and treatment of asthma and allergies related to pollens, molds, dust mites and pets; food, drugs, latex and stinging insects; skin disorders such as atopic and contact dermatitis (eczema), urticaria (hives), angioedema (welts); and other conditions.

UT Southwestern’s allergy program offers comprehensive allergen skin testing, pulmonary-function testing, advanced anti-immunoglobulin (IgE) therapy and drug desensitization therapy for patients who are allergic to medications necessary for their health. To help with diagnosis and allergy evaluation, our specialists are experts at administering food and drug challenges as well as performing laboratory and radiology studies, such as computed tomography (CT) scans of the sinuses or lungs to determine contributing factors.

For children and adults with serious allergies to insect stings (including fire ants), UT Southwestern provides venom immunotherapy shots to reduce the chance of a life-threatening reaction to a future sting. Research has found that children and adults who have had severe allergic reactions to insect stings and who were given venom allergy shots were dramatically less likely to suffer life-threatening reactions when stung again, even if the sting occurred after completion of the therapy. In some cases, deliberate challenge with fire ants are required to determine the optimal length of therapy; UT Southwestern allergy specialists have unique expertise in this procedure.

Our specialists are experts at matching therapies to patients’ specific profiles and provide the most effective immunotherapy (allergy shots), medications, and other approaches needed to improve health and quality of life. UT Southwestern’s physicians partner with patients in discussing and setting allergen-avoidance strategies that can make an important difference in treatment.

Patients with allergies can also be seen by our dermatology and ear, nose and throat services.