Pediatric allergy, asthma and immunology at Dell Children's
Dual board-certified pediatric immunologists and allergists at Dell Children's at Ascension Seton have the expertise to diagnose, treat and manage allergies, asthma, food allergies and immunodeficiency disorders. At each visit, you will meet with your child’s doctor. We start by listening to understand your concerns and your child’s symptoms. Diagnostic tests may be used to find the cause of your child’s symptoms. Then, we work with you to create an individualized care plan.
Conditions diagnosed and treated
- Allergic conjunctivitis (eye inflammation)
- Allergic rhinitis
- Anaphylaxis (severe, life-threatening allergic reaction)
- Asthma
- Drug allergy
- Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) (allergic condition in the esophagus)
- Food allergies, such as peanut allergy
- Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES)
- Immune deficiency (primary and secondary immunodeficiency)
- Insect allergy
- Seasonal allergies
- Sinus infection
- Skin allergy, including dermatitis and eczema
Multidisciplinary care teams
If your child has a complex condition, your child and family are connected to the most pediatric specialists in Central Texas at Dell Children’s. Your child’s care team may include pediatric specialists, such as pulmonologists, GI doctors, dermatologists, otolaryngologists (ear, nose and throat doctors), cardiologists, hematologists, infectious disease doctors, intensive care specialists, dietitians and more. Your child’s team of specialists work together to deliver comprehensive care that’s right for your child.
Advanced diagnostic testing and treatments
Using advanced diagnostic testing, our goal is to find the cause of your child’s symptoms. Many diagnostic tests are done in our office. These may include skin tests, intradermal skin testing, blood tests, pulmonary function tests (PFT), medically supervised food testing (also called food challenges), stinging insect allergy testing and other diagnostic tests.
We take the time to explain your child’s diagnosis to you and your child. Then, we work with you to create a personalized care plan to manage and treat your child’s condition. Your child’s care plan may include:
- Allergy shots (immunotherapy)
- Evaluation of recurrent infections
- Evaluation of abnormal severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) newborn screen
- Oral and topical medication
- Step-up therapy for asthma (using a low dose of medication and increasing it as needed)
- Food and drug desensitization (giving small amounts of an allergen to build tolerance)
- Management of immunodeficiency, including before and after bone marrow transplant
- Clinical trials
Specialized care for immunodeficiency disorders
Immunodeficiency disorders are conditions that affect a child’s immune system. Children may have an abnormal newborn screen or show signs of an immunodeficiency disorder, such as frequent infections, infections that do not respond to antibiotics, infections that are severe and require hospitalization, lack of weight gain and digestive problems. If your child is born with a severe immunodeficiency disorder, we work with pediatric specialists in the NICU and PICU at Dell Children’s to provide specialized care for your child.
Your child’s doctor starts by listening to understand your child and their health history. Your child’s doctor may recommend blood tests, X-ray or CT scans to help diagnose your child’s condition. Then, we discuss treatment options and create a care plan that’s right for your child. Care plans for primary and secondary immunodeficiency may include infusion therapy and antibiotics. And we focus on long-term treatment plans that help limit future infections.
What sets us apart
Caring for the whole child
Certified child life specialists work with your family to create a care plan that supports your child’s emotional health and well-being.
Food allergy Center of Excellence
Nationally recognized within the Food Allergy Research and Education Clinical Network, providing the most advanced food allergy care.
Dual certifications
Our pediatric immunologists and allergists have expertise in allergies, asthma, food allergies, and immunodeficiency disorders.