Frequently Asked Questions

Allergies happen when the immune system reacts to everyday substances like pollen, dust, animal dander, mold, or certain foods as if they are harmful. Symptoms can include sneezing, congestion, itchy or watery eyes, hives, swelling, coughing, wheezing, or trouble breathing. At Allergy & Asthma Care of Waco, our allergists diagnose the cause of these reactions and build a plan to keep you more comfortable in Waco and across Central Texas.

We care for a wide range of allergy and breathing conditions, including seasonal and year-round allergies, asthma, sinus problems, eczema and other allergic skin conditions, food allergies, stinging insect allergies, and medication allergies. Our goal is to manage both day-to-day symptoms and long-term control so you can get back to normal life.

Our board certified physicians, nurses and staff are trained in personalized allergy and asthma testing and care. We need to see you first and better understand what your symptoms are and test why you're having symptoms. Following our proven testing methods, we can then work with you on a personalized treatment plan to help you care for you allergies and asthma.

Consider seeing an allergist if your symptoms keep coming back, last most of the year, interfere with sleep or work, or do not improve with over-the-counter medicines. You should also see a specialist if you have asthma, frequent sinus infections, severe reactions to foods or insect stings, or if you want to explore allergy testing or allergy shots. We often work as a partner with your primary care doctor to give you the best long-term plan.

The beginning and ending times of tree, grass and weed pollen seasons are very similar from year to year in the same location. Intensity differs every year based on the previous year's weather, current weather and other environmental factors.

In Central Texas, common outdoor allergens include oak, cedar, ragweed, and other tree, grass, and weed pollens, along with mold spores. Indoor triggers like dust mites, pet dander, and cockroach allergen are also frequent sources of problems. Our local pollen counting station and clinic experience give us a clear picture of which allergens are most active in each season.

Allergies and asthma are long-term conditions, but they can usually be controlled very well. Medications and lifestyle changes help manage symptoms. Allergy immunotherapy (allergy shots or drops) can change how the immune system responds to allergens over time, which may lead to fewer symptoms and less need for medicine. Our team will help you decide which options are right for you.

We start with a detailed history of your symptoms, your environment, and your medical background. Testing may include skin prick testing, intradermal testing, or blood tests that measure how your immune system reacts to specific allergens. The results help us pinpoint your triggers and design a personalized treatment plan.

Allergy immunotherapy exposes your immune system to very small amounts of the allergens that bother you, either through allergy shots or under-the-tongue drops. Over time, your body becomes less reactive, which can lead to fewer symptoms and better control. Immunotherapy is often recommended for people with moderate to severe allergies who want a long-term solution, especially for pollen, dust mites, pet dander, and certain molds.

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology has a network of pollen counters across the United States. Each counter works under the direction of an AAAAI member and must first pass a certification course provided through the AAAAI. Counters use air sampling equipment to capture air-borne pollens. The number of pollen grains collected are then counted and logged.

The NAB is always working to add more counting stations. The NAB will continue its efforts to enlist additional volunteers to its network of certified counting stations so that most areas of the country are represented.

It's difficult to provide accurate pollen and spore levels for areas not near a pollen counting station. If the climate and geography are similar, chances are the figures reported by the station are a good indicator of conditions nearby.

There are numerous reasons why pollen counting stations don't count, including technical difficulties with the pollen counting equipment; illness; temporary lack of staff; time away from the office or the station has closed for the season because pollens have diminished to virtually nonexistent levels.

Pollen counting stations usually begin reporting in March and April, when pollen levels increase to measurable amounts. The opening date of each station differs slightly from year to year based on local weather conditions. Counting stations in warmer climates generally stay open year round.

Yes! We have been caring for multigenerational families for over 40 years! We care for children, teens, and adults. Many allergies and asthma symptoms begin in childhood, and others appear later in life, so our team is trained to support the full age range of patients in Waco and surrounding communities.

You can request an appointment by calling our office at 254-756-3646 or by using the online request form on our website. Our staff will help you choose a time that works with your schedule and will let you know if any special preparation is needed for your visit.

Please arrive a little early to complete any remaining forms, bring your insurance card and photo ID, and bring a list of your current medications, inhalers, and supplements. If you have past test results or hospital records related to your allergies or asthma, those are helpful as well. Some medications can affect allergy test results, so our office will tell you in advance if anything needs to be adjusted before testing.