An Allergist and Immunologist physician is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of allergic disease and asthma. They complete 4 years of medical school, complete a general residency in internal medicine or pediatrics and must pass an exam to become Board Certified. Following this residency, these doctors spend two additional years of training, which is called a Fellowship, learning about the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of immune system problems such a as asthma and other allergic conditions.
Upon completion of an Allergy/Immunology Fellowship the doctor can practice Allergy and Immunology and can become a certified Allergist after passing another exam sponsored by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology.
Allergists and Immunologists are specialists who can treat:
- Asthma
- Allergic Rhinitis
- Anaphylaxis
- Atopic dermatitis or eczema
- Food allergies
- Hives or urticarial
- Immune deficiencies
- Sinus problems
Patient Population
Allergists typically treat both adults and children with asthma and allergies.
Advantages of being treated by an Allergist/Immunologist:
An allergist can assist in getting better control of a patient’s asthma. Other advantages include:
- Better quality of care compared to a primary care physician
- Improved quality of life and patient satisfaction related to asthma
- Access to specific testing such as skin testing and treatment with allergy shots and immunotherapy
- Patients treated by allergists are less likely to be admitted to the hospital, need an Emergency Department visit and treatment, require oral steroids or overuse their rescue inhaler
