Allergens come in many forms, including pollen, dust, mold and animal dander, all of which cause allergic reactions in one out of three people. As a result, many people suffer from asthma and allergy symptoms like coughing, itchy and watery eyes, runny nose, headaches or congestion. Allergy drugs like antihistamines and decongestants treat only the symptoms. Treatment using allergy extract, called immunotherapy, is the most effective in nearly eliminating an allergic reaction. Immunotherapy is the gradual administration of the allergens that make you sick. This gradual introduction allows your body to build up its own natural immunity, making you less allergic.

The board-certified allergists of Allergy & Asthma Specialists^SM prescribe three forms of allergy-extract treatments: allergy injections, allergy drops under the tongue, and allergy tablets. The allergists are experts in determining your allergy triggers and the most effective immunotherapy prescription for each patient.

How does it work?

The allergists of Allergy & Asthma Specialists^SM first conduct a series of skin tests to identify the allergens that trigger a patient’s symptoms. Next, the allergist will develop an extract prescription based on the patient’s skin-testing results and tolerance.

Why isn’t everyone doing this?

It’s a highly technical balancing act. The allergist must prescribe the appropriate strength and dosage that will effectively improve the patient’s tolerance to the allergens and provide relief of symptoms, while also preventing an allergic reaction. If the extract is too weak, the patient will continue to have symptoms for a very long time. If the extract is too strong, the patient could have a serious allergic reaction. No one has more experience in developing effective allergy extract formulas than the team of allergists at Allergy & Asthma Specialists^SM.

Where are the allergy extracts produced?

Once the prescription for allergy injections or allergy drops is formulated, all extracts are produced in the Allergy & Asthma Specialists^SM extract laboratory, under the supervision of the allergists and guidelines according to the United States pharmaceutical rule 797 for sterile compounding.

Producing the allergy extract for injections and drops in-house allows for adjustments, if needed, as a patient’s symptoms are monitored at follow-up appointments.

If you think you may be a candidate for immunotherapy, call (800) 86-COUGH, option 2, to schedule a consultation.

Allergy & Asthma Specialists^SMis a group practice with eight locations in Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs that provides state-of-the-art medical care in a personal and caring environment, emphasizing the control of asthma and allergic disease, while avoiding side effects from medications.

Allergy & Asthma Specialists^SM
Locations: Blue Bell, King of Prussia, Collegeville, Pottstown, Philadelphia, Jenkintown, Lansdale and Doylestown
Office hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Evening appointments are available weekly on alternating days.
Toll-free: (800) 86-COUGH
Local: (610) 825-5800
Website: www.AllergyandAsthmaWellness.com