What Allergists Treat

You might be surprised. Allergists are medical doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of immune system diseases.  They treat people with conditions such as asthma, eczema, and allergic reactions to food, medicines, insect stings or environmental agents such as pollen.

Allergists may specialize in treating certain types of conditions, such as food allergies, or they may specialize in treating people in certain age groups, such as pediatric allergists, who treat children. They also treat skin rashes such as contact dermatitis, hives, blood vessel inflammation, connective tissue disease, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, and animal dander allergy. They may even treat AIDS and more.

Studies show that those under the care of an allergist/immunologist make fewer visits to emergency rooms, and are better able to daily manage their allergies and asthma.

If you’re not sure you need to see an allergist, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) suggests some criteria that can help determine your level of need:

• "Do you have severe allergy symptoms that reoccur often?
• Do they lower your quality of life or keep you from your regular activities?
• Do these symptoms co-exist with other ongoing health issues, such as asthma, sinusitis, or polyps?
• Have you found allergy medications to be ineffective, or have you had negative effects from them?"

If the answer is yes to any of these questions, see an allergist so you can get your symptoms under control."

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