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The Center is one of the
only facilities in the Northeastern Pennsylvania region dedicated to comprehensive care of nasal, sinus and allergy disorders.
The Center is located at the Valley ENT office suite, 190 Welles St., Forty Fort.
According to the American Academy
of Otolaryngic Allergy, over 50 million Americans suffer from allergies. Northeastern Pennsylvania was rated the worst region
in the country for those patients having nasal allergy symptoms. These include nasal congestion, post nasal drip, teary and
itchy eyes, cough and headaches. The 2,000 square foot Sinus & Allergy Center is exclusively dedicated to allergy testing
and treatment options.
The new Sinus & Allergy Center includes two private examination rooms, two allergy
testing rooms and two allergy shot rooms. The added space also allows for two separate doctor offices and a larger waiting
room. The waiting room offers patients two computers with Internet access, a flat screen television and a variety of refreshments.
Three allergy nurses and an allergy shot technician have joined Dr. Barras and Dr. Clerico at the Center. The additional staff
and extended office hours (including Saturdays) facilitate appointment scheduling while shortening wait time in the office.
“We are pleased that allergy treatments have made a vast improvement in our patients’
lives,” notes Dr. Barras. “Not only do many patients have symptomatic relief of nasal symptoms but, in many cases,
headaches, fatigue, and difficulty sleeping have been alleviated resulting in more energy and a general feeling of wellness,”
he continued.
There are three basic ways to treat allergies: avoidance, medications and immunotherapy. Avoidance of allergens is often
difficult and impractical. Medications may have side effects and can be costly. Immunotherapy is the only means of treatment
that addresses the underlying cause of allergies – a hypersensitive immune system.
Traditional
allergy shots have, until recently, been the only immunotherapy option for patients who find that medications do not reduce
their symptoms. Valley ENT Sinus & Allergy Center is the first in the area to offer allergy drops (sublingual immunotherapy)
as a treatment option.
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Allergy drops are delivered under the tongue and can be safely taken at home. Initial in-office testing is done
to determine proper dosage and periodic follow-up visits are scheduled to monitor progress. This immunotherapy treatment option
eliminates weekly trips to the office for allergy shots and may provide relief in a few weeks.
Sublingual
immunotherapy is not currently covered by medical insurances and costs approximately $15 per week. For many patients the
cost is equal to current medication co-pays. For others, the convenience of not missing time at work or school more than offsets
the cost. It is also ideal for children since no needles are used. The Sinus & Allergy Center will continue to provide
allergy shots for those patients who prefer that treatment method.
“We
are excited about offering the treatment option of allergy drops,” says Dr. Clerico, “which will not only safely
improve our patient’s allergy symptoms but also eliminate the inconvenience of coming in for weekly shots.” Dr.
Clerico continued, “It also eases ‘needle dread’ and that is a wonderful thing, especially for children.”
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