Bellaire Allergy and Asthma

• Undergraduate education: Bachelor's degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland.
• Medical school: McGovern Medical School in Houston, Texas.
• Residency: Internal Medicine residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas.
• Fellowship: Allergy and Immunology fellowship at Scripps Clinic in San Diego, California.
• Board certification:
• American Board of Internal Medicine
• American Board of Allergy and Immunology

Approach to patient care

• Dr. Rajan places a strong emphasis on building a healthy physician–patient relationship.
• She focuses on educating patients about their allergic and immunologic conditions and how to manage them.
• She is described as patient, empathetic and punctual, and strives to provide a family-friendly, warm environment for patients of all ages.

Dr. Rajan and the Bellaire Allergy and Asthma team are committed to offering up-to-date, evidence-based treatments and creating lasting relationships with patients and the community.

• Eye and nasal allergies (allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis)
• Seasonal and environmental allergies (pollens, molds, dust, animal dander and other airborne allergens)
• Sinusitis and recurrent sinus infections (often related to untreated allergies)
• Asthma, including chronic cough related to asthma
• Food allergies
• Atopic dermatitis (eczema)
• Contact dermatitis and other skin allergies (e.g. reactions to jewelry, fragrances, latex, soaps, plants or dyes)
• Hives (urticaria) and angioedema

We care for patients of all ages, including children and adults. If you are unsure whether your symptoms are allergy- or asthma-related, you can contact our office to see if an evaluation here is appropriate.

Online booking is available through the "Book Online" option on our website.

Location

Bellaire Allergy and Asthma 6300 West Loop South Suite 180 Bellaire, TX 77401

Office hours

• Monday–Thursday: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
• Friday: 8:30 am – 12:30 pm

Hours are subject to change on holidays; please contact the office or check the website for any special closures.

Patients we see

• We are currently accepting new patients.
• We provide allergy, asthma and immunology care for children and adults.

Appointments and telemedicine

• Appointments can be scheduled by phone or via the online booking link on our website.
• Telemedicine visits are available for many visit types, including initial consultations and follow-up care, when appropriate.

For urgent or emergent symptoms (such as severe trouble breathing or anaphylaxis), patients should call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room rather than using email or online booking.

How treatment works

• Injections are given in the arm and go into the subcutaneous tissue, not into the muscle.
• The goal is to gradually retrain your immune system so it reacts less to these allergens over time.
• Treatment typically lasts about 3–5 years.

Build-up and maintenance phases

• Build-up phase:
• Doses are increased gradually over weekly visits for about 6 months under the standard schedule.
• Accelerated schedules such as Cluster or RUSH are available to shorten the build-up period to roughly 3 months, for suitable patients.
• Maintenance phase:
• Once the highest dose is reached, visits are usually spaced to monthly injections for about 5 years.

Side effects and monitoring

• Common side effects include redness, itching and swelling at the injection site.
• More serious allergic reactions are possible but less common, which is why patients are asked to wait for 30 minutes in the office after each injection so that staff can monitor for any concerning symptoms.

Insurance and scheduling

• Allergy shots are covered by many insurance plans.
• The clinic can help patients obtain an insurance quote or estimate for this treatment.
• Late appointments are offered to help accommodate busy schedules.

Allergy drops (sublingual immunotherapy)

For some patients, an alternative to allergy shots is allergy drops, also called sublingual immunotherapy:

• Drops are placed under the tongue rather than given as injections.
• Like shots, they are designed to build tolerance to allergens over time.
• Treatment is prescribed specifically for each patient by Dr. Rajan.
• Drops are taken at home, which may be helpful for patients who cannot visit the office frequently or have a strong fear of needles.

Allergy drops have some differences and disadvantages compared with traditional allergy shots. Dr. Rajan reviews both options and helps each patient decide which approach is most appropriate.

How the test is performed

• Small amounts of suspected allergens are applied to the skin using a plastic pricker.
• The test barely scratches the surface of the skin and does not break the skin or cause bleeding.
• It takes about 5 minutes for staff to place the test on your skin.
• After about 15 minutes, the skin is checked to see which spots develop a red, raised, itchy area (a wheal).
• Based on the size of these reactions, Dr. Rajan interprets the results and you typically receive your results the same day.

From start to finish, skin testing usually takes about 1.5 hours, so patients should plan their schedule accordingly.

How to prepare for skin testing

To help ensure accurate results:

• Stop all medications that contain antihistamines for at least 5 days before testing, unless otherwise directed by the clinic.
• This includes some oral medications, nasal sprays and eye drops.
• Patients should carefully read the labels of their medications and contact the clinic with any questions about what to hold.

After the test

• Depending on the test location (back or arm), temporary hives may remain at the test sites, but these typically resolve within about an hour.
• After testing is complete, patients may usually resume their antihistamines as instructed by the clinic.

Allergy testing may also be done by blood test in certain situations when skin testing is not appropriate; this is determined on a case-by-case basis by Dr. Rajan.

How the test works

• The test is performed in the office using specialized equipment.
• No needles are used and no blood is drawn.
• With guidance from the nursing staff, the patient:
• Takes a deep breath in,
• Blows out forcefully for 4–6 seconds,
• Then takes another deep breath in.
• The machine measures how much air the patient can breathe in and out and how fast the air is exhaled.

Results are compared with nationally recognized predicted values based on age, height, weight and gender to see how the patient's lungs are performing.

Role in asthma care

• Spirometry helps determine whether a patient has asthma and how well it is controlled.
• It can detect subtle changes in lung function that patients may not notice on their own.
• Dr. Rajan may sometimes treat patients with a nebulized medication (such as albuterol) during testing and then repeat spirometry to see if lung function improves.

Breathing tests are commonly used at Bellaire Allergy and Asthma to diagnose and monitor asthma and guide treatment decisions over time.

How oral immunotherapy works

• Patients receive small, carefully measured doses of the food they are allergic to.
• The dose is increased gradually over time under close medical supervision.
• This approach offers an alternative to strict lifelong avoidance for some patients, with the aim of providing more freedom and safety around accidental exposures.

OIT is not appropriate for every patient or every food allergy. Suitability and specifics of treatment are determined individually by Dr. Rajan.

Oral food challenges

An oral food challenge is a procedure used to determine whether a patient has outgrown a food allergy or to clarify uncertain test results.

How an oral food challenge is performed

• The patient eats a full serving of a specific food, divided into small, increasing amounts over the course of several hours (typically about half a day).
• The patient is closely monitored in the office by the clinical team for any signs of an allergic reaction.
• This procedure is considered the gold standard for confirming whether a food allergy is truly present.

Food allergy treatments and testing are tailored to each individual. Patients should discuss the risks, benefits and suitability of OIT or food challenges directly with Dr. Rajan.

Ask anyway — the agent will say plainly that it is not published rather than guess.