Allergies are more common in children but can start occurring at any age. The condition can also go away during childhood then show back up in adulthood. Many people develop seasonal allergies or “hay fever” by the time they are 20 years old. Food allergies are mostly developed in childhood.
Allergies can be seasonal, year-round, or lifelong. Regardless of age or frequency, living with allergies can be distressing. Not only do allergies interfere with normal, everyday life but some are potentially life-threatening.
Our immunologist and allergist in Voorhees, NJ, Dr. Kathryn Edwards, provide various relief options to patients of Penn Medicine Becker ENT & Allergy Center. The relief methods recommended by our allergy doctor are designed to reduce the frequency and severity of allergic reactions to allergens including those in the environment, foods, and medications.
The long-term goal of treatment is to help minimize the discomfort caused by allergy symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Why Do Allergies Happen?
If you ask an immunologist in Voorhees this question, they will likely reply by saying it happens because of a person’s immune system response to a foreign substance. That substance, or allergen, can be pollen, mold, dust mites, latex, or animal dander. Foods such as shellfish and peanuts or insect bites can trigger the same immune reaction.
These same allergens can trigger asthma symptoms when the immune system reaction affects the lungs and airways. People with food allergies, in particular, are at risk of developing a severe and life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis.
Genetics or family history may make it more likely for you or your child to develop allergies.
When you have allergies, your immune system mistakes a particular allergen as harmful (that isn’t) and reacts in a way that causes symptoms. The symptoms are the result of the body making antibodies and a chemical called histamine to protect your body.
Common allergy symptoms include:
- Sneezing
- Runny, watery, or itchy nose or eyes (allergic rhinitis)
- Itchy skin or skin rash (hives or contact dermatitis)
- Shortness of breath
- Nasal congestion
- Swollen face, eyes, lips, or tongue
These symptoms can last for weeks in individuals with seasonal allergies or as long as they remain exposed to the allergen. Overall, the severity of the symptoms may range from mild irritation to anaphylaxis.
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- Cookie Miller
What an Allergist Does
An allergist, sometimes called an immunologist or allergy doctor, is a medical professional who specializes in immunology, a branch of medicine concerning the study of the immune system.
An immunology specialist focuses on diagnosing and treating allergies, allergy-induced asthma, and immune system problems. They are also trained in identifying what triggers your allergy or asthma. They can then tailor a treatment plan based on your personal needs.
Since most allergies can’t be cured, treatment usually revolves around minimizing the severity of your symptoms and managing allergic reactions. For example, allergy shots are designed to induce tolerance in the body and change the way it responds to a specific allergen (desensitization). Early intervention by an immunologist can also help prevent symptoms from getting worse.
Types of Allergies We Treat
There are different types of allergies and they cause a wide range of symptoms. Although there is no known cure for most allergies, a variety of treatment options are available from your allergy doctor and immunologist in Voorhees, Dr. Edwards. Below is a quick look at the allergies we treat:
Allergic Rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis (hay fever) is a common type of allergy and refers to a group of symptoms affecting the nose caused by an allergen such as pollen, mold, dust, or animal dander (pet allergy). The symptoms, including sneezing, itching, and nasal congestion, stem from inflammation inside of your nose.
Food Allergy
Food allergy is an abnormal immune system response triggered by certain foods. Foods that commonly trigger an allergic reaction include peanuts, fish, shellfish, peanuts, egg, milk, wheat, or soy. Food allergy can only be prevented by avoiding the particular food.
Contact Dermatitis
Allergic contact dermatitis (skin inflammation) is hives or rash that develops on skin that was exposed to certain allergens that trigger an immune system reaction. The Poison Ivy plant, fragrances, and nickel are known for causing contact dermatitis. A reaction caused by chemicals in products, such as detergents, is called irritant dermatitis.
Asthma
Allergens can trigger or worsen asthma. Allergy-induced asthma is caused by the same substances that are responsible for allergic rhinitis. You may experience respiratory symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness, in addition to common allergy symptoms.
Drug Allergy
An allergy doctor may diagnose you with a drug allergy if you have an abnormal reaction to certain medications. They include prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal medications. Some common signs and symptoms of drug allergy are rash, hives, fever, or swelling of the mouth or throat.
Allergy Testing
Our immunology specialists offer tests for various types of allergies including pollen, mold, pet, food, dust, and drug. We can perform the following tests
- Prick test
- Blood test
- Patch test
- Pulmonary function test
We will use the results to help make an accurate diagnosis and recommend the appropriate treatment.
How Allergy Shots Helps Immunology
Those who study immunology understand what causes allergies, what happens to the body during an allergic reaction, and what may be an appropriate treatment. Standard treatment for allergy includes prescription and over-the-counter medication. But they do not always work for people with severe or chronic allergies.
Other treatments available at Penn Medicine Becker ENT & Allergy Center include allergy shots (immunotherapy) and drops or tablets taken orally (sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT)). Allergy shots help improve symptoms of allergic rhinitis, insect allergy, eye allergy, and asthma. SLIT is effective for environmental allergens such as pollen, ragweed, grass, mold, dust mites, and animal dander.
Allergy shots work in much the same way that vaccines work. A microscopic amount of the damaging substance – in this case, the allergen causing the symptoms – is injected below the skin. This stimulates the body to “fight back” and build up a sort of immunity to the allergen.
It’s also true that food allergies cannot be controlled with shots. That’s because the body reacts too strongly to any food allergens injected directly within it. However, the specialists at Penn Medicine Becker ENT & Allergy will help you control your food allergy symptoms in other ways.
These treatments are intended to help manage symptoms, lower immune system response to allergens, and may even prevent new allergies.
Driving Directions from Nearby Locations
Our immunologist at Penn Medicine Becker ENT & Allergy Center provides service to patients in Voorhees and surrounding areas such as Lindenwold, Marlton, and Haddonfield, NJ.
From Lindenwold
Via Clementon Rd W and Centennial Blvd: 9 mins (3.8 miles)
- Head southeast on S Emerson Ave toward Spruce Ave
- Turn left onto E Gibbsboro Rd
- Continue onto Clementon Rd W
- Continue onto Centennial Blvd
- Turn left onto Sheppard Rd
- Turn right (Penn Medicine Becker ENT will be on the left)
From Marlton
Via Evesham Rd: 8 mins (3.3 miles)
- Head east on E Main St toward Community Ave
- Take S Maple Ave to NJ-73 S
- Turn right onto Community Ave
- Turn right onto Oak Ave
- Turn left onto S Maple Ave
- Turn right onto Centre Blvd
- Follow NJ-73 S, Evesham Rd, and Centennial Blvd to Sheppard Rd in Voorhees Township
- Use the left 2 lanes to turn sharply left onto NJ-73 S
- Keep left to continue on NJ-73
- Turn right onto Evesham Rd
- Turn left onto Centennial Blvd
- Turn right onto Sheppard Rd
- Turn right (Penn Medicine Becker ENT will be on the left)
From Haddonfield
Via Kresson Rd: 15 mins (6.6 miles)
- Take Lincoln Ave to Ellis St
- Head east on W Cottage Ave toward Washington Ave
- Turn left at the 1st cross street onto Washington Ave
- Turn right onto Lincoln Ave
- Take Kresson Rd to Sheppard Rd in Voorhees Township
- Turn right onto Ellis St
- Turn left onto Kresson Rd
- Turn right onto Centennial Blvd
- Follow Sheppard Rd to your destination
- Turn right onto Sheppard Rd
- Turn right (Penn Medicine Becker ENT will be on the left)
Schedule an Appointment in Voorhees, NJ, Today
The best way to manage allergies is to avoid them. Our allergy doctor at Penn Medicine Becker ENT & Allergy Center is aware that it is not always possible to do so and is eager to help you. Our board-certified allergist in Voorhees will perform a clinical evaluation and do allergy testing to determine if you are a good candidate for immunotherapy. Call 856-772-1617 to request a consultation or use our online contact form.