Allergists (Allergy Doctors)
An allergist is a healthcare professional with specialized medical training in diagnosing and managing allergies and associated conditions. Their expertise lies in pinpointing the root cause of a patient’s allergy symptoms and administering effective medical treatment to enhance their overall quality of life.
Allergies, such as sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, runny nose, hives, itchy skin, or other allergy symptoms, may be caused by airborne allergens like pollen or pet dander; food allergies; contact allergies; or medications. An allergist will ask questions about family history and perform tests to diagnose an allergic condition.
To become an allergist, medical students must complete four years of medical school followed by a specialty fellowship in Allergy/Immunology for three additional years. During their fellowship, they gain experience in managing allergic conditions such as asthma, eczema, insect sting allergies, food allergies, and immune deficiencies.
Once training is completed, allergists can offer specialized medical care for those suffering from allergic conditions. They can also prescribe medications such as antihistamines, decongestants, or inhalers to help control symptoms and recommend lifestyle changes to reduce irritation from known triggers like dust mites or pet dander.
Allergists have the expertise to accurately diagnose and treat allergy-related illnesses so patients can get relief from uncomfortable symptoms quickly and safely without putting their overall health at risk. If you suffer from any type of allergy symptom, it is important to consult an allergy specialist for proper diagnosis and treatment for your condition.
Benefits of Seeing an Allergist
When it comes to treating allergies, seeing an allergist can be beneficial. Allergists are board-certified medical doctors with specialized training in diagnosing and managing allergic diseases. An allergist is specially trained to review your complete medical history and to evaluate you for any underlying conditions that may contribute to your symptoms. They will then assess the severity of your allergy and recommend the best course of action for effectively treating it.
A board-certified allergist has the expertise and resources necessary to diagnose, treat, and manage all types of allergies, including skin allergies, food allergies, asthma, hay fever, drug allergies and more. Seeing an allergist will allow you to receive expert care tailored specifically towards relieving your symptoms and improving your quality of life.
In addition to providing diagnosis and treatment options for allergy sufferers who visit their practice, a board-certified allergist can also provide recommendations for lifestyle changes or treatments that may help alleviate symptoms or prevent future reactions from occurring. This may include avoiding certain triggers, managing stress levels or taking preventive medication if needed.
An allergist can also work with your primary care physician or specialist doctor on coordinating any additional treatments such as allergy shots that may be required in order to improve outcomes over time. Allergists are dedicated to helping individuals suffering from allergy-related conditions find effective relief so they can lead healthier lives.
Types of Allergies and medical records
In Becker ENT & Allergy, we specialize in diagnosing and treating a wide variety of allergies, from skin allergies to food allergies, asthma, hay fever, drug allergies and more. Additionally, we can review your medical records to help provide an accurate diagnosis.
Sinus Infections
Environmental Allergies
Common Allergens
Asthma Symptoms
Allergy Triggers
Pediatric Allergy
Common Condition
Immunologic Disorders
Autoimmune Diseases
Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Food Allergies
Medical Records:
Pet Dander Allergy
Drug Allergy
Insect Stings & Bites
Seasonal Allergies
Sinus infections are a common condition caused by inflammation of the nasal passages. They can be triggered by allergens, such as pollen or pet dander, and can lead to a variety of symptoms, including stuffy nose and facial pain.
Environmental Allergies
Environmental allergies are reactions to things in the air that we breathe like dust mites, mold spores and pet dander. They can cause a wide range of symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes and skin rashes.
Common Allergens
Frequently encountered allergens encompass elements like dust mites, pet dander, pollen, mold spores, and insect stings and bites. Recognizing the specific triggers provoking an allergic response is a crucial phase in the successful management of allergies.
Asthma Symptoms
Asthma is a chronic condition characterized by difficulty breathing due to constricted airways. Common symptoms include coughing, wheezing or shortness of breath after exposure to certain triggers like dust mites or pet dander.
Allergy Triggers
Identifying the specific triggers that cause allergic reactions is vital for effective treatment of allergies. Possible triggers include pollens, molds, animal dander or certain foods which should be avoided if possible in order to reduce symptoms over time.
Pediatric Allergy
Children may experience allergies differently than adults due to their smaller size and developing immune systems. That’s why it’s important for parents to work closely with their child’s doctor when managing any type of allergy-related condition in order to ensure proper care is being given at all times.
Common Condition
Allergic rhinitis (or hay fever) is one of the most common conditions caused by environmental allergens such as pollen or pet dander which can cause sneezing fits, runny nose, and itchy eyes among other symptoms.
Immunologic Disorders
Immune disorders involve problems with the body’s ability to fight off infections or foreign substances which can lead to severe allergic reactions including hives or anaphylaxis in some cases.
Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmune diseases occur when the body’s own immune system mistakenly attacks itself leading to conditions like asthma or eczema which can be triggered by allergens such as dust mites.
Allergic Contact Dermatitis
This type of skin reaction occurs when the skin comes into contact with something that causes an allergic response resulting in redness irritation and itching around the affected area.
Food Allergies
Food allergies occur when individuals have a reaction after eating certain foods due to an abnormal response from their body’s immune system triggering symptoms like hives abdominal pain nausea vomiting or diarrhea.
Medical Records
Keeping accurate medical records is essential for diagnosing and managing allergy-related conditions like asthma or eczema. By having complete information on all tests performed and medications prescribed, allergists can ensure they are providing quality care for their patients.
Pet Dander Allergy
People who suffer from pet dander allergy will experience respiratory irritation after coming into contact with animal fur saliva urine etc leadingto coughing sneezing wheezing chest tightness, etc.
Drug Allergy
A drug allergy occurs when someone has an abnormal reaction after taking medication whether they were prescribed it or not This includes signs like hives rash swelling difficulty breathing, etc.
Insect Stings & Bites
An insect sting/bite allergy results from coming into contact with venom released during stinging/biting episodes Most people will experience mild discomfort but some may develop life-threatening reactions.
Seasonal Allergies
Seasonal allergies are caused by airborne pollen from trees grasses flowers weeds etc that circulate throughout certain parts of the year leading to sneezing runny nose itchy/watery eyes congestion, etc.
Diagnosing and Treating Allergies
Allergists are trained professionals who specialize in diagnosing and treating allergies. The process of diagnosis typically begins with a detailed medical history, which includes questions about symptoms, possible triggers, and any previous tests or treatments that may have been done. After this, physical exams may be used to help diagnose the condition. This could include a skin prick test, blood tests, or even specialized lab testing depending on the severity of the allergy.
Once the allergist has identified what is causing the allergic reaction, they can develop a treatment plan to reduce and manage symptoms. This could involve lifestyle modifications such as avoiding certain triggers or taking medications like antihistamines or steroids depending on the severity of the allergy. Allergists may also recommend immunotherapy (allergy shots) for severe cases to desensitize an individual to their allergen over time.
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If you suffer from allergies or suspect that you might have developed an allergy, meeting with an allergist or a pediatric allergist at Penn Medicine Becker ENT & Allergy can help you get the answers you’re looking for and get you on a path toward improving your long term quality of life. We offer expert diagnosis and treatment for patients with a range of allergies. To schedule an appointment, contact our telemedicine doctor today.
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Our skilled staff at Penn Medicine Becker ENT & Allergy includes asthma and allergy specialists, including pediatric allergists at our various locations.
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Prior to joining the Penn Medicine Becker ENT & Allergy family, Dr. Kathryn Edwards completed a 16-year career with the United States Army, serving military families as an Allergist specialist. Specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of seasonal and environmental allergies, skin conditions, asthma, and food allergies; Dr. Edwards an East Windsor ENT specialist brings her extensive Allergist knowledge to our Robbinsville and Princeton offices.
Dr. Edwards performed her undergraduate studies at the University of Delaware and then proceeded onto these next accomplishments:
- Joined the United States Army
- Attended the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
- Completed a Pediatric residency at Walter Reed Army Medical Center where she a Board Certified Pediatrician
- Used her specialties while being deployed to Iraq to care for those in harm’s way
- Was selected into the highly competitive Allergy and Immunology fellowship program at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
- Included training at the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- Served as assistant chief for several years
- Served as chief of Allergy/Immunology for her final 3 years in the military
- Received a B.S from Widener University where she conducted research in diabetes.
- Received her medical degree from Drexel University College of Medicine and completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Penn State Hershey Medical Center.
- She has conducted quality improvement research in asthma, awarding her state honors and acquired a grant for an educational initiative on hereditary angioedema, a rare swelling disorder.
- Member of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, the American College of Physicians, and the American Medical Association.
- Published author, having presented at both national and world allergy conferences.
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