Penn Medicine Becker ENT & Allergy’s experienced immunologists are proud to provide effective treatments for allergy patients in Sewell, NJ, who are suffering from uncomfortable symptoms due to allergic reactions. Allergies are caused by the immune system’s defensive reaction against harmful substances. In the case of an allergy, however, the body is producing antibodies against a harmless food or other substance in the environment.
The allergists at Becker ENT & Allergy offer management and immunotherapy to heal the uncomfortable allergy symptoms patients experience. Common allergens include:
- Pollen
- Medicine
- Latex
- Cleaning chemicals
- Mold
- Plants
- Dust mites
- Stinging insects and venom
- Pet dander
- Food
It is yet to be determined why some people experience allergic reactions while some do not. Some allergies, however, are genetic.
Common Allergy Symptoms
Allergy symptoms range from mild to intense depending on the severity of the allergy. Different allergens cause different reactions and symptoms. The following are common symptoms.
Skin Rash
Common skin rashes resulting from allergies are hives, eczema, and contact dermatitis.
Eczema
Itchy inflamed patches on the skin, which may bleed.
Hives
Hives are bumpy red rashes on the skin. They last for approximately 24 hours then disappear and new ones may begin to form. Hives can also occur as a result of stress or illness. This is why it is important to consult with an allergy doctor to make sure your hives are caused by an allergen.
Contact dermatitis
Red itchy patches on the skin, resulting from direct contact with allergens such as latex.
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Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction causing swelling of the throat that may lead to death. Other symptoms include nausea, cramping, vomiting, low blood pressure, and hives.
A certified allergy doctor or immunologist at Becker ENT and Allergy can help to determine your specific allergens through tests and treatment. For such a severe allergic reaction, medication and strict avoidance techniques are suggested to prevent further attacks.
Nose, Sinus, and Eyes
Allergens frequently affect the nose and sinuses. Allergy doctors help patients lead better and more comfortable lives by treating nasal irritation, chronic sinusitis, infections, nasal obstruction, inflammation of the nasal passages, runny nose, accompanying headaches, and facial pain resulting from nasal and sinus disorders.
You may experience itchy, watery, red, and irritated eyes due to allergen exposure, preventing you from comfortably performing daily tasks. The doctor will determine if you need consistent treatment or treatment only when you are exposed to the allergen by observing the patterns your symptoms display.
Lung Complications
Your allergies may affect your lungs, leading to asthma and other breathing issues. Common symptoms of asthma are wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing because of thinner paths for air in the lungs. The allergy doctors at Becker ENT & Allergy will determine if your symptoms are an allergic reaction and provide necessary treatment. An inhaler is a typical treatment for asthmatic patients.
Food allergies commonly cause hives, nausea, swelling, a tingling sensation on the mouth and throat, and fatigue. Seasonal allergies share cold symptoms such as runny nose, watery eyes, and nasal congestion. Direct contact with allergens can cause a skin rash.
Who Should Seek Help From an Immunologist?
An immunologist is another name for an allergy doctor. If you are constantly uncomfortable because of your allergic reactions, it is time to see a doctor. The allergy could be affecting your daily routine and leveling down your productivity.
Testing will help the specialist discover what you are allergic to so you can reduce or eliminate exposure to these specific allergens. It is important to schedule this appointment as soon as possible to manage the allergy at an early stage and prevent it from progressing in severity.
Immunotherapy (Allergy Shots)
Most often, allergies are simply annoyances. A person might take an antihistamine, or avoid certain plants or animals, so they don’t start sneezing. Allergy shots can also control these symptoms very well.
But when the allergen causes a sudden, severe, life-threatening reaction, that reaction is called anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock. Blood pressure drops, the pulse becomes weak, the airway begins to close, and the person may faint.
Two of the most common causes of anaphylaxis are allergies to nuts and to insect stings. Treatment with an epinephrine autoinjector must be given immediately.
Although allergy shots cannot be used for any type of food allergy, they can have a life-saving preventive effect against insect stings. The shots can also ease the everyday discomfort of less serious allergies. Read through our article to learn more about how allergy shots work.
Types of Allergy Tests
Becker ENT & Allergy immunologists in Sewell offer a variety of allergy tests to determine what our patients are suffering from. To be accurate in our diagnosis we may have to perform more than one test to determine whether your symptoms are a result of an allergic reaction.
Prior to your scheduled consultation and test, do not take antihistamines or cold drugs which usually contain antihistamines. These may interfere with the accuracy of the test results.
Prick Testing
This test involves placing a drop of allergens, either food, dander, drug, pollen, or mold dust on the skin and using a device to scratch the area slightly and move the allergen inside the skin. The area is observed in approximately 20 minutes for signs of a reaction. Small needles with allergens at the tip can be used to place the allergen under but near the surface of the skin.
Blood Testing
A blood test allows the doctor to determine if you have antibodies typical for fighting certain allergens in your system.
Patch Testing
This type of testing mainly checks if a skin rash is a result of an allergic reaction. Allergic contact dermatitis is usually tested using this procedure. The suspected allergen is placed on the patient’s back using medical tape.
It takes a few days to see the results of the test, during which the patient avoids showering, swimming, or getting the area wet in any way. They also abstain from rigorous activities that cause sweating for the set hours before the next examination.
The test lasts between 24 to 48 hours. The doctor will observe the area to determine if the rash is caused by the allergen, then give you treatment options.
Pulmonary Function Testing
Sometimes allergies result in asthma, and our specialist performs this test to discover if the lungs are obstructed. The test determines the capacity of air the lungs can hold. It tests the frequency of air circulation when breathing in and out using a handheld device that the patient blows into. Patients who are good candidates for this test have experienced asthmatic symptoms before.
Why Choose Us?
Our experienced allergy doctors offer comprehensive treatment to both children and adults. We design tests and treatments to match your medical history and individual needs because each patient is different.
Our allergy doctors are immunology experts with skills and experience in both research and clinical practice. They are contributors to otolaryngology journals, international lectures, and surgical publications. Our facility is recognized by the Philadelphia Magazine as top in our field. Above all, we pride ourselves on offering the best and most helpful treatments for our patients.
Allergy FAQs
An immunologist offers avoidance techniques to the patient as the first line of defense. The patient may need to rehome their pet if it is the cause of allergies and avoid close contact with other pets. If the allergy is food-related, the patient avoids the food and always confirms that it is not among the ingredients, if they have not prepared the meal themselves.
Allergists prescribe medications to relieve the patient’s symptoms. For example, itchy eyes, sore throat, and nasal congestion can be treated with antihistamines, decongestants, and more.
The immunologist may also prescribe immunotherapy, which includes allergy drops or shots. Patients experiencing eye allergies, insect allergies, and allergic rhinitis are good candidates for immunology shots. These are scheduled injections for a period of time aiming to help the body get used to the allergen and reduce or completely eliminate allergic symptoms.
Emergency shots are typically available for life-threatening allergic reactions.
Allergies are not contagious, though some allergies are inherited. Most people develop allergies soon after birth when they come into contact with the allergen. The severity of the allergic reactions intensifies with age.
Allergic rhinitis, which involves sneezing, itchy, runny or blocked nose, conjunctivitis (watering, itchy and red eyes), asthmatic symptoms involving coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and coughing, swollen face, throat, eyes, lips and tongue, severe hives, vomiting, and nausea.
Driving Directions to Penn Medicine Becker ENT & Allergy in Sewell, NJ
Penn Medicine Becker ENT and Allergy is located at 570 Egg Harbor Road Suite B-2 at Sewell, NJ08080. There is free parking on the property.
Directions from Tall Pines State preserve
- Drive south on Woodbury Glassboro road
- Turn left onto Blackwood Barnsboro road
- Turn right onto Salina road
- Turn right onto Egg Harbor road and
- Turn left at Kings Way E, drive for 200ft
- Turn right, drive 250 ft
- Turn left, drive 100ft to Becker ENT and Allergy
Directions from Gloucester County Premium Outlets
- Head North on Premium Outlets for 500 ft
- Take the first exit at the traffic circle
- Take NJ-42
- Take the NJ-42 exit toward Williamstown
- Turn right onto Ganttown road
- Turn left onto Egg Harbor road
- Turn left at Kings Way E, 200 ft
- Turn right, 250 ft
- Turn left, 100 ft and drive to Becker ENT & Allergy Sewell, NJ
Schedule a Consultation with an Allergist
Scheduling a consultation with an immunology specialist at Penn Medicine Becker ENT & Allergy is an easy process. We are located in the beautiful county of Gloucester in Sewell, NJ. Both local patients and those from out of state are welcome to seek treatment at our facility.
A consultation is important because the doctor needs to go over your medical history, ask important questions, and perform any necessary tests to determine the extent and causes of your allergy. After the test, evaluation, and diagnosis they create a treatment plan to eliminate symptoms and control your allergic reactions.
Our immunology doctors perform deep consultation sessions by asking questions to determine what you have been in contact with that might have caused an allergic reaction. For instance, if you have a rash or nasal congestion, they pinpoint allergens that might have caused this for you to confirm whether you have been in contact, before performing a test to confirm their suspicions.
Call us at 856-589-6673 to book an appointment for ENT issues and allergies at Becker ENT and Allergy in Sewell, NJ.
