Hudson-Essex Allergy: Our Full Range of Services
Oral Immunotherapy
Patients and parents of food-allergic children often experience anxiety over accidental exposure. For decades, the only advice was strict avoidance. Now, a revolutionary new therapy called Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) offers new hope.
OIT is a procedure that can desensitize patients by feeding them small, incremental amounts of their allergenic food over a period of about 8-10 months. This allows patients to tolerate accidental exposures to foods without fear of a life-threatening reaction. The entire process is done by mouth, so there are no painful shots involved.
Patient safety is our primary concern. Our staff has been trained by the most prominent practitioners of in-office OIT, and we use a conservative program that has a greater than 90% success rate. Our goal is to provide you with peace of mind.
The food allergy desensitization program is exclusively offered at our Food Allergy Treatment Center at 5 Franklin Avenue, Suite 602, in Belleville, NJ.
For more information, please call or set up a consultation at (973) 759-5842
Seasonal Allergies
In New Jersey, seasonal allergies are caused by pollen from trees in the spring, weeds like ragweed in the autumn, and grasses that pollinate twice a year.
These pollens can lead to symptoms such as a runny nose, congestion, sneezing, and wheezing. Similar symptoms can also be caused by indoor allergens like dust mites, pet dander, and molds, which are present year-round.
We offer a variety of therapies to relieve your allergy symptoms. Our treatments for seasonal allergies include pollen allergy treatment, allergic rhinitis treatment, and hay fever treatment.
We also specialize in immunotherapy, which has the potential to desensitize you to your allergens and cure both your seasonal and year-round allergies.
Sinusitis
Our sinuses are hollow cavities in our skulls that reduce the weight of our heads, which in an evolutionary sense, allowed us to walk upright. These cavities drain into the nose, but anything that clogs the nose, such as allergies or a cold, will block this drainage and can lead to a sinus infection. If this condition lasts more than six weeks, it is considered a chronic sinus infection.
The practice's goal is to prevent sinus infections from occurring in the first place, as many of their allergy therapies are effective in preventing them. They can also treat both acute and chronic sinus infections.
Asthma
Asthma affects about 1 in 10 children in the United States, with a higher prevalence in urban areas like New Jersey. Symptoms are often overlooked and undertreated, but asthma is a serious condition that can lead to life-threatening attacks and long-term lung damage.
Specialists in Allergy and Immunology are uniquely qualified to treat asthma because they can diagnose and treat the main trigger of asthma attacks—allergies. After just a single visit with an allergist, asthma patients can expect, on average, a 10% improvement in lung function. We are dedicated to asthma prevention and have sophisticated testing available to make a diagnosis and track improvement.
We use the most current medications with the fewest side effects, including several non-steroid options. Allergy shots (immunotherapy) have also been shown to reduce asthma flares. You can call us to learn more about these therapies or to get your asthma under better control by setting up an appointment with an asthma specialist.
Ocular Allergy
Allergic reactions can be immediate, such as the sneezing and wheezing caused by pollen, which often leads to itchy, puffy, and watery eyes. However, there are also allergic reactions that develop slowly, tending to affect the eyelids. These delayed reactions can be caused by cosmetic products, shampoos, or even contact lenses.
We have reliable tests to determine the cause of these different types of allergic reactions. If you are experiencing eye allergies, you can call and set up an appointment to get them under better control.
Food Allergy
The prevalence of food allergies is rapidly increasing, with approximately 10% of children in the United States reporting a food allergy. This number is even higher in New Jersey. For example, peanut allergies in children have doubled every decade over the past 30 years. The practice has also seen increases in food intolerances.
For many years, the only therapy for food allergies was avoidance and emergency epinephrine injections. However, treatment has been revolutionized in recent years. It is now increasingly possible for specialists to desensitize patients to their food allergens. This allows patients to tolerate accidental exposures without fear of a life-threatening reaction.
We can determine the type of food reaction you are having and provide appropriate treatment, including food desensitization.
Nasal Polyps
Nasal polyps are not cancerous tumors; they are outgrowths of mucous that form due to chronic inflammation in the nose and sinuses. If they become large enough, they can cause nasal congestion and affect your sense of smell and taste.
While polyps can be surgically removed, they often grow back. Medication and identifying and avoiding allergens that trigger their growth can help to slow their development. Many patients with nasal polyps are sensitive to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications like aspirin. Desensitization to aspirin can significantly slow the growth of nasal polyps and may even reduce the need for surgery.
Skin Allergies
If you need a skin allergy specialist in NJ, Hudson-Essex Allergy can help. Skin reactions are one of the most common reasons patients visit the practice.
We handle a variety of allergic skin conditions, including eczema, atopic dermatitis, hives, and contact dermatitis. They also see non-allergic conditions like viral rashes, staph infections, and fungal infections.
Hudson-Essex Allergy offers extensive testing for contact allergens found in everyday products like soaps, cosmetics, detergents, and fragrances. They can also test for allergies to metals and cements used in orthopedic and dental implants. You can call and schedule an appointment to learn more about these tests or to consult with a skin allergy doctor before a surgical procedure.
Hives and Angioedema
Dr. Weinstein has a particular interest in hives (urticaria) and angioedema (swelling), and was awarded the prestigious Clemens von Pirquet award for his research on the topic. Unexplained hives and/or swelling can be very disconcerting for patients, who may fear a life-threatening reaction.
Frequently, recurrent hives or swelling are not caused by an allergic trigger but by an underlying autoimmune condition or viral infection. In rare cases, a genetic condition called Hereditary Angioedema can be present. Regardless of the cause, Dr. Weinstein is uniquely qualified to handle even difficult-to-control episodes. The practice's goal is 100% suppression of hives. You can call and set up an appointment to learn more about these conditions.
Medication Allergies
Many people are told they are allergic to a medication, and in fact, 10% of the population reports a penicillin allergy. For penicillin, there is a commercially-available test to determine if you are truly allergic.
For other medication allergies, the practice can create a custom skin test based on medical literature to find an appropriate dose. A negative skin test is confirmed with a small dose of the medication in the office, so you can safely take the medication at home with confidence.
Latex Allergies
Some people experience an itchy mouth after blowing up a balloon or eating an avocado, which can be a sign of a latex allergy. It's important to diagnose this allergy because of the risk of serious reactions to products containing latex during medical procedures.
Many foods are also cross-reactive with latex. Your doctor at Hudson-Essex Allergy can test for latex allergy and provide education on which foods to avoid.
Insect Allergies
Some people are allergic to the venom from stinging insects like bees, hornets, wasps, and fire ants. Research suggests that people with this allergy get stung more frequently than the general population.
It's crucial to get tested for an insect venom allergy, know your specific allergen, and have life-saving treatment available if needed. Desensitization with allergy shots is an available therapy that is highly recommended as it is potentially life-saving. You can call and set up an appointment to get tested and learn more about these treatments.
Disorders of the Immune System
Our immune system protects us from infection and disease. When it's not working correctly, it can lead to various conditions. Specialists in allergy and immunology are qualified to diagnose and manage these disorders.