Advanced Allergy & Asthma
Dr. Kumar Patel, MD
Providing Advanced and Personalized Allergy Treatment in over 7 locations in PA, OH and WV!
General Allergic Disorders
Stop searching for "allergy specialist near me". Our board certified allergist/immunologist with decades of experience in helping patients manage their allergic and immunological disorders.
Allergic Disorders Specialist in Seven Fields, PA
An allergy is an overreaction of the immune system. When you have an allergy, your immune system produces antibodies to defend itself against a perceived threat such as pollen, which would otherwise be harmless. An allergic reaction can occur at any age, present itself in many ways, and affect numerous parts of the patient's body and organ systems. Allergies are estimated to affect 30 percent of the United States' adult population, as well as 40 percent of children in the country.
At Advanced Allergy and Asthma, Dr. Kumar Patel, MD is a distinguished board certified allergist/immunologist with decades of experience in helping patients manage their allergic and immunological disorders. The services offered at his practice range from doing in-house testing, to creating and mixing extracts, to offering treatment right in the office. Patients can also request same-day appointments.
We serve patients all over western Pennsylvania, as well as eastern Ohio, and northern West Virginia. Please call us at (724) 224-5440 or request an appointment online to let us help you manage your allergic disorders!
FAQs on General Allergic Disorders:
What Are the Most Common Allergic Conditions?
- Allergic Rhinitis. This is the most common allergic condition, presenting with symptoms that primarily affect the nose. It is particularly characterized by itching, sneezing, nasal discharge, and congestion lasting for an hour or more.
- Asthma. Asthma is a condition in which your airways narrow, swell, and produce extra mucus. It’s characterized by coughing, difficulty in breathing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and wheezing (i.e. a whistling or squeaky sound when breathing). Symptoms can be especially noticeable at night, during exercise, and when laughing hard.
- Urticaria (hives) and Angioedema (swelling). These allergic reactions can affect the lips, eyelids, hands, feet, and tongue. Sufferers of swelling fear the possibility of choking to death, while patients with hives suffer from fatigue, social isolation, emotional reactions, and sleep disruption.
- Allergic conjunctivitis. This group of allergic disorders are characterized by itchy, red eyes; watery discharge/tearing, and conjunctival swelling. Although it is most common among children, it can occur at any age.
At What Age Do Allergies Usually Appear?
Allergies can appear at any time in your life, although they usually show up during childhood. Often the first sign of allergic tendencies is chronic eczema (atopic dermatitis) - that is, red and itchy skin. This is part of what is sometimes called the "allergic march": Eczema and food allergies in infancy often evolve into asthma and/or allergic rhinitis (hay fever, dust mite allergy) later in childhood. Not every child develops all of these conditions, but many asthmatic children also have allergies. Food allergies tend to appear in the first few years of life, while environmental allergies (dust, pets, pollen, molds) generally don't arise until school age.
Do Allergies Go Away?
Research shows that food allergies can go away after a few years, but environmental allergies tend not to. Milk, egg, soy, and wheat allergies are the most commonly outgrown reactions. (85 percent of children outgrow milk allergy by age three or four.)
What Is the Best Way to Detect Allergies?
The first-line tool for confirming an allergy is the skin prick test: A tiny area of scratched skin is exposed to an allergen, and if a local reaction occurs (typically resembling a mosquito bite), then the test is positive. For food allergies, the ultimate arbiter is the "provocation challenge," where you are given small amounts of the suspect food under medical supervision and carefully controlled conditions. If the challenge doesn't produce a reaction, there is no allergy. Challenges can be risky, so it is always performed under the direct supervision of the immunologist. Sometimes, just to be on the safe side for certain allergens, doctors use blood tests.
What Drugs Help in Preventing Allergic Symptoms?
Common symptom treatments consist of the use and/or combination of antihistamines, nasal corticosteroids, and anti-inflammatory medications. Corticosteroids are used for many inflammatory disorders, particularly those affecting the skin and joints.
Other treatment options include oral corticosteroids, decongestant sprays, and in some advanced cases, immunotherapy.
Download this handy Guide to Allergies for Additional Reading & Reference!(opens in a new tab)
Dr. Kumar Patel, MD and his team of care professionals have helped thousands of people with their allergic disorders during their years of service in PA, OH and WV. If you have developed allergic reactions or are starting to display some of the symptoms, please contact Dr. Patel’s offices or request an appointment through the online booking tool.