Drops or Shots

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Recently, I wrote about how it is now possible to stimulate the immune system with allergy drops for the long-term treatment of allergies or asthma. As such, we have had several people start treatment with our allergy drops. Though not FDA approved yet, allergy drops are safe, effective, and legal.

Still 75 percent of people who have come to us asking about allergy drops have decided to take allergy shots. Why? Two big reasons: first, allergy drops are not covered by your medical insurance. Second, we're in our 14th year of performing rush immunotherapy, where we give someone the first six months of their allergy shots in one day. One day! That means you go straight to getting maintenance allergy shots once a month and not much “once a week” allergy shots at all. And the best part of all: once you're on once-a-month shots, you take them for three to five years, and then you're done! The best part about high dosed allergy shots is that they continue to provide their immunologic benefit for years after you stop taking them.

Houston Allergy and Asthma Clinic, our sister practice in Park Plaza, would like to thank Dr. Ramon Garrido, who retired in September 2008, for over 40 years of practice. And, our clinic welcomes Dr. Sunil Saraf, a board certified allergist who has been practicing in The Woodlands. Dr. Saraf will see patients in our Fannin and Pearland offices for now, and then begin seeing patients in our Park Plaza office. We are highly selective when choosing our doctors, and hope you enjoy getting to know Dr. Saraf as much as we have.

David B. Engler, MD

Note: Information contained in this article should not be considered a substitute for consultation with a board-certified allergist to address individual medical needs.