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Dr. Carlos Ayala, Allergy and Immunotherapy Expert

Allergy Injection Immunotherapy in McAllen, TX

Dr. Carlos Ayala is a double board-certified otolaryngologist and facial plastic surgeon, and the first of his kind in the Rio Grande Valley. He was trained at UCLA, Harvard and through a Beverly Hills fellowship and brings decades of military and civilian surgical experience to patients at his McAllen practice.

Living in the Rio Grande Valley often means contending with year-round allergies that can cause a daily struggle with nasal congestion, runny nose, sinus pressure and itchy eyes. Allergy injection immunotherapy treats the source of these symptoms by helping your body build a tolerance to allergens. It provides more permanent relief than antihistamine medications and allows you to enjoy life without debilitating symptoms.

At Ayala ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery in McAllen, Dr. Carlos Ayala provides allergy shots on the foundation of precise testing and customized dosing, with consistent monitoring for a more effective treatment.

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Procedure At a Glance

Allergy Injection Immunotherapy

Treatment

In-office allergy shots

Treatment Timeline

Weekly injections

Testing

Skin testing and RAST blood testing

Monitoring

Follow-ups with Dr. Ayala every 3 months

Allergens Treated

Environmental (pollen, dust mites, mold, dander)

Treatment Duration

Approximately 12 months

Administration

In-office by allergy nurse

Financing

Prosper®, CareCredit®

Overview

What Is Allergy Injection Immunotherapy?

Allergy injection immunotherapy, commonly called allergy shots, is a treatment that retrains the immune system to tolerate the substances that trigger your symptoms. Allergies occur when your immune system perceives harmless substances like pollen as a threat and releases histamines to fight it off. During immunotherapy, each injection contains a small amount of the allergens you react to, which is gradually increased as your body becomes less sensitive to these triggers. Eventually, you start to notice fewer symptoms and less reliance on antihistamines and nasal sprays.

What It Treats

What Allergies Does Immunotherapy Treat?

Immunotherapy at Ayala ENT is used to treat environmental allergens that are common throughout the Rio Grande Valley.

These triggers are responsible for chronic nasal congestion, post-nasal drip, sinus pressure, itchy or watery eyes, and allergic rhinitis. If you have struggled with seasonal flare-ups or symptoms that persist all year, allergy shots can reduce both the frequency and severity of your reactions.

Allergens Treated

  • Pollen from grasses, trees, and weeds
  • Dust mites
  • Mold spores
  • Animal dander

Candidacy

Who Is a Good Candidate?

Allergy injection immunotherapy is a good fit for adults and older children who have confirmed environmental allergies and have not found lasting relief from medications, or who wish to reduce their reliance on these treatments. You may be a good candidate if your chronic congestion, recurring sinus infections and other symptoms have started disrupting your sleep, work or daily activities.

How the Allergy Injection Program Works

1

Allergy Testing

Dr. Ayala uses skin testing and RAST blood testing to identify exactly which environmental allergens are triggering your symptoms. During skin testing, small amounts of allergens are placed on the forearm or back and the skin in these areas is pricked. Dr. Ayala notes any raised bumps that appear 15-20 minutes after application. RAST testing uses a single blood draw to measure allergy antibodies in a lab and is often preferred for patients who have sensitive skin or cannot pause antihistamines.

2

Acquiring an EpiPen

As a safety precaution, every patient who qualifies for allergy injection immunotherapy will need to obtain an EpiPen before treatment. These are in case of emergency, though rare, after you leave the office. You will pick these up from your preferred pharmacy.

3

Weekly Build-Up Injections

During the build-up phase, you will visit the office weekly for injections administered by our trained allergy nurse. The injections themselves take only a few minutes, but you will be required to wait in our office for 20 minutes after each injection so we can monitor you for any immediate reaction. Doses will be increased gradually to raise your tolerance.

4

Follow-Ups With Dr. Ayala

Every three months, you will meet directly with Dr. Ayala to review symptom improvement and discuss any adjustments, if needed.

5

One-Year Retesting

The full course of treatment is typically one year. At this point, you will receive retesting, which will objectively show your improvement and determine the next phase of your care.

Other Options

Are Allergy Shots My Only Option?

If you prefer a more convenient option to coming in each week, Ayala ENT also offers sublingual immunotherapy in the form of customized allergy drops. These drops are formulated based on your specific triggers and are taken daily under the tongue at home. The typical course also lasts around one year and produces similar long-term benefits to allergy shots. Dr. Ayala will help you decide which option best fits your sensitivities and treatment goals.

Your Doctor

Why Patients Choose Ayala ENT for Allergy Care

Allergy care at Ayala ENT is built around direct physician involvement. Every consultation, every follow-up and every treatment decision is handled by Dr. Carlos Ayala, the only double board-certified otolaryngologist and facial plastic surgeon in the Rio Grande Valley. Patients are never passed off to a physician assistant or nurse practitioner for these important decisions.

We rely on proven, evidence-based methods and trusted technologies with consistent track records. This philosophy applies to everything we do, from allergy testing protocols to nasal and sinus surgery.

Because Dr. Ayala treats the full range of nasal and sinus conditions, patients who need additional care, such as treatment for chronic sinusitis or nasal obstruction, can receive it in the same practice.

BEGIN YOUR JOURNEY

Book Your Allergy Evaluation

If chronic allergies are affecting how you sleep, breathe or function day to day, allergy injection immunotherapy may offer the long-term relief you have been looking for. Call Ayala ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery in McAllen at 956-631-4515 or contact us online to schedule your evaluation with Dr. Ayala.

Give us a call

FACIAL PLASTIC SURGERY (956) 688-3223
ENT (956) 631-4515

Visit us in person

800 E. DOVE, STE. F & G
MCALLEN, TX 78504
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Frequently Asked Questions

Do allergy shots work for food allergies?

Immunotherapy is used only for environmental allergens such as pollen, dust mites, mold, and animal dander. Patients with food allergies receive counseling on strict avoidance and management of accidental exposures.

How soon will I notice symptom improvement?

Most patients begin to notice meaningful improvement during the build-up phase, after around three to six months. The full benefit of treatment is typically evaluated through retesting at the one-year mark.

Why do I need an EpiPen before starting treatment?

Although serious reactions are rare, an EpiPen is required as a safety precaution in case of a delayed reaction outside the office. Patients are not permitted to begin injections until this is confirmed.

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