Allergist in Sugar Land? (Houston, Center: university, allergies, live)

[Topaz]

My three year old daughter has been diagnosed with severe food allergies including a potentially life-threatening allergy to nuts. Can anyone recommend a terrific pediatric allergist in Sugar Land or somewhere within driving distance?

I would prefer an allergist who is on the cutting edge of working with kids and immunotherapy...I don't want an allergist who thinks we should be resigned to this diagnosis forever without giving it a good fight.

Thanks!

[karuna95]

Dr. Perez is a wonderful allergist in Sugar Land. Here's his website:
ALLERGY & ASTHMA CARE OF HOUSTON

He's a great listener, very intelligent, empathetic, and compassionate. Good luck!!

[mtbmike]

I can recommend Dr D. Lynn Dickens. As well the pediatrician group at Dr. Bishop's office is very good treating allergies. Honestly given your criteria for "cutting edge", I'd use them as 1st line to get good references into the Medical Center. I think both of them know that there are specialists and certainly can refer to the best of the best at Texas Children's or elsewhere.

Now that alt-90 is nearly done, the med center is EZ to get to from Sugar Land so it' certainly within driving distance. Sugar Land certainly has a great medical community, but I hear you about wanting someone progressive.

[karuna95]

I absolutely agree with mtbmike. the allergist's goal is to help the patient/parent control and manage the symptoms, to minimize the effect of the allergy on the patient's life. This is important, because there are severe consequences when allergies are uncontrolled. So you will want to select an allergist that is up-to-date on the latest treatments and research... and you also want someone who can "hear" you, and tailor the treatment regimen to your particular situation and needs.

However, if you're wanting to look for aggressive treatments, i.e. clinical trials, then the medical center is the place to be... although I would hesitate to go this route, as there's too much potential for harm. That's why they tend to try to recruit those patients with demonstrated higher risk from the food allergy, i.e. those who have had multiple incidences of anaphylactic reactions. I wasn't sure if this is what you were looking for...

Best wishes on finding a good match for you and your child.

[Topaz]

Thanks, everyone...to clarify what I meant by "cutting-edge," I've been following the research being done at Duke University that has the goal of de-sensitizing children with peanut allergies so that if they accidentally ingest a few peanuts, it won't be fatal. I'm hoping that (a) this process is eventually fine-tuned sufficiently to be safe and effective, and (b) it will then be offered nationwide rather than being limited to children who live near Duke University.

We liked our previous allergist OK but because my daughter had eczema when she was a baby, he seemed rather inclined to prescribe a bunch of medicines long-term (Singulair, Zyrtec, etc.) and I'm usually a bit reluctant to medicate symptoms rather than try to figure out the root cause and fix it, if possible.