Dr. Chet Tharpe, MD

Dr. Chet Tharpe, MD is an Allergy & Immunology specialist dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive care at his clinic in Miami, FL. He is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). Your Allergy & Immunology specialist is your primary partner in preventing allergic reactions, managing asthma, treating immune disorders, and creating a personalized, long-term health plan that coordinates screenings and promotes overall wellness. He serves all ages, and is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Please call (856) 474-3380 to schedule an appointment.

Dr. Chet A. Tharpe joined Allergy Associates in April 2017, specializing in asthma and skin conditions. He earned his medical degree from St. George's University School of Medicine and furthered his expertise through fellowship training at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He is Board Certified in Allergy & Immunology by the American Board of Allergy & Immunology, and Board Certified in Internal Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Dr. Tharpe's approach to care is deeply collaborative and evidence-based, fostering a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to actively participate in their long-term health management. He provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Chet Tharpe is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on proactive strategies to protect and enhance your long-term health.

By working together, you and Dr. Chet Tharpe can create a clear, actionable plan to address your unique risk factors and health goals.

A proactive approach to health involves understanding and managing potential risks. Dr. Chet Tharpe provides expert care for a range of conditions, focusing on early detection and effective management to support your long-term wellness. Common areas of focus include:

• Allergic Reaction: Proper management of allergies, including medication and avoidance strategies, is crucial to preventing potentially life-threatening allergic reactions.
• Anaphylactic Egg Allergy: Successfully managing anaphylactic egg allergy involves meticulous avoidance of egg exposure, carrying epinephrine auto-injectors, and developing an emergency action plan to mitigate reactions.
• Anaphylactic Tree Nut Allergy: Anaphylactic tree nut allergy is a severe, life-threatening reaction that requires early diagnosis and careful management to prevent potentially fatal consequences.
• Acute Sinusitis: Preventing acute sinusitis from developing into a chronic condition protects your overall well-being and reduces the need for extensive medical intervention.
• Anaphylactic Peanut Allergy: Understanding and managing a peanut allergy that can cause anaphylaxis is crucial for preventing emergencies and ensuring a better quality of life through diligent avoidance and preparation.
• Food Allergy: Food allergy prevention focuses on identifying allergens early on and implementing strategies to avoid them, reducing the severity and frequency of allergic reactions.
• Eosinophilic Esophagitis: Preventing serious complications from eosinophilic esophagitis starts with recognizing its symptoms and seeking prompt medical care for timely diagnosis and treatment, which can lessen the severity of inflammation.
• Cough: Coughing is your body's way of clearing irritants, but frequent or severe coughing might indicate allergies or asthma that need attention to avoid further complications.
• Asthma: Preventing asthma attacks involves identifying your triggers, regularly using prescribed medications, and monitoring your symptoms to reduce the risk of severe complications.
• Dermatitis Due to Substances Taken Internally: Internal substances can trigger skin reactions (dermatitis), so identifying and avoiding these substances is crucial for preventing flare-ups and improving your skin health.
• Allergic Rhinitis: By taking steps to control allergic rhinitis, such as using nasal sprays and identifying and avoiding allergens, you can significantly improve your quality of life and reduce the risk of related health issues.
• COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease): COPD is a chronic lung disease that can be better managed through early detection and lifestyle changes, preventing further damage and improving your quality of life.

This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes only. The best way to understand your personal health and create a prevention plan is to schedule a consultation. Accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans are developed based on individual patient evaluations.

Taking proactive steps is central to long-term health. Dr. Chet Tharpe offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Allergy Drops: Allergy drops offer a convenient way to identify and manage your allergies, potentially reducing the need for other treatments down the line.
• Allergy Skin Testing: Early detection of allergies is key: allergy skin testing provides valuable insights to prevent future severe reactions and improve your quality of life.
• Allergy Testing: Proactive allergy testing can pinpoint the sources of your allergies, enabling you to take steps to avoid them and reduce the frequency and severity of allergic reactions.
• Allergy Treatment: Proactive allergy treatment can prevent severe reactions by identifying specific allergens triggering your symptoms.
• Arterial Blood Gas Test (ABG): This simple blood test helps assess the effectiveness of your current asthma or other respiratory treatments and will guide your doctor to adjust your plan, thereby reducing the risk of severe reactions.
• Blood Allergy Testing: Proactive allergy management starts with a blood test. This simple procedure helps detect allergy sensitivities and prevents future reactions before they start.
• Drug Allergy Testing: Drug allergy testing helps identify which medications might trigger a dangerous reaction, allowing you to proactively avoid them and stay safe.
• Drug or Food Challenge: A drug or food challenge allows doctors to safely and effectively diagnose allergies or intolerances to specific foods or medications, paving the way for better management.
• Patch Testing: Proactive allergy management starts with patch testing – a screening tool that identifies the substances causing your contact dermatitis, allowing for early intervention and prevention of further problems.
• Radioallergosorbent Test: A radioallergosorbent test (RAST) is a blood test that helps identify specific allergies by measuring your body's reaction to various allergens, allowing for proactive allergy management.
• Sublingual Immunotherapy: For long-term allergy relief, sublingual immunotherapy is a proactive treatment administered via drops under the tongue that gradually reduces your immune system's response to allergens, improving your quality of life.

Service availability can change, and not all services listed may be appropriate for every patient. For a comprehensive understanding of all available services and to create your personalized screening plan, please schedule a consultation.

All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Allergy & Immunology in Florida.

Dr. Chet Tharpe is dedicated to partnering with Caregivers to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how a proactive approach can make a tangible difference in a Patient's life:

• By understanding potential triggers and implementing avoidance strategies, a family gained confidence in proactively managing their allergies, minimizing the risk of future reactions. This proactive approach allowed them to enjoy life without the worry of unexpected allergic episodes.
• By meticulously avoiding egg exposure and carrying epinephrine auto-injectors, a family felt empowered to proactively manage their child's anaphylactic egg allergy, fostering a sense of security and peace of mind.
• A family, after receiving guidance on early allergy detection and proactive risk reduction strategies, felt empowered to confidently navigate their child's tree nut allergy, ensuring a safer and more enjoyable life.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. He will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.

Here are answers to some common questions about proactive Allergy & Immunology care with Dr. Chet Tharpe:

What is an Allergist / Immunologist?

An allergist/immunologist is a medical expert who specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions related to the immune system, including allergies and immunodeficiencies. They help identify the triggers of immune reactions and work with patients to prevent future problems.

What can I expect during my first allergy consultation with Dr. Chet Tharpe?

Your first visit with Dr. Tharpe will be a detailed detective process, focusing on a thorough history of your symptoms, potential exposures, and family history. This may include diagnostic tests, like skin testing, to pinpoint specific triggers. Together, you'll create a personalized prevention plan.

I think I have a drug allergy. What should I do?

Stop the medication if safe to do so, and contact your prescribing doctor and an allergist immediately. Dr. Tharpe can help determine if it was a true drug allergy through a detailed history and, if necessary, specialized skin testing or a drug challenge to ensure future safety.

What is anaphylaxis and how can I prevent it?

Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction. Prevention involves strict avoidance of known triggers, carrying an epinephrine auto-injector, and having a clear Anaphylaxis Emergency Action Plan, which Dr. Tharpe will help create.

How do you test for a food allergy?

We begin with a skin prick test or a blood test (IgE test) to identify potential allergens. However, the gold standard for diagnosis is an oral food challenge, conducted in our clinic under medical supervision, to definitively confirm or rule out a food allergy.

What is Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE)?

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an allergic condition where a type of white blood cell builds up in the esophagus, causing inflammation and difficulty swallowing. It's often triggered by food allergies, and Dr. Tharpe works with gastroenterologists to identify the trigger foods and manage the condition.

Can my child outgrow a food allergy?

Many children can outgrow allergies to milk, egg, and wheat. However, allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, and seafood are less likely to be outgrown. Dr. Tharpe can monitor this with testing and conduct an oral food challenge when it is safe to do so.

What is immunotherapy (allergy shots), and how does it prevent allergies?

Immunotherapy, or allergy shots, retrains the immune system by gradually increasing doses of the allergen. This helps the body build tolerance over time, effectively preventing future allergic reactions. It's the only treatment that can change the underlying disease and provide long-term prevention of allergy symptoms.

777 Brickell Ave
Miami FL 33131
Phone: (856) 474-3380

Dr. Chet Tharpe, MD is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.

National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1053541581

Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.

The information on this profile, provided by weprevent.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with preventive health partners. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the physician named. Allergy & Immunology like Dr. Chet Tharpe are skilled in helping patients create proactive health plans. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. It is always recommended to maintain open communication with your allergy & immunology about all aspects of your health and your personalized prevention plan.