What They Do
An allergist, also known as an immunologist, is a physician who specializes in diagnosing and managing conditions related to the immune system, including allergies and conditions in which the immune system is either overactive or underactive.
What They Treat
Allergist-immunologists manage conditions such as seasonal allergies, food allergies, asthma related to allergic triggers, and skin reactions caused by allergic responses. They also manage conditions involving immune deficiency, in which the immune system doesn't function adequately to protect against infection, as well as certain autoimmune conditions, in which the immune system mistakenly targets the body's own tissues.
Training Path
Becoming an allergist-immunologist requires completing a medical degree, followed by residency training in either internal medicine or pediatrics, and then additional specialized fellowship training specifically in allergy and immunology, covering the detailed workings of the immune system and how it can malfunction in different ways.
When to See One
People are commonly referred to an allergist-immunologist for persistent or severe allergic symptoms, difficulty identifying the specific trigger behind an allergic reaction, or asthma that appears closely linked to allergic triggers. Allergist-immunologists also evaluate patients with recurrent infections that might suggest an underlying immune deficiency, and manage certain complex autoimmune conditions.
Background
Allergy and immunology developed as a combined medical specialty over the course of the 20th century, growing alongside a deepening scientific understanding of how the immune system works and the many different ways it can respond, both appropriately and inappropriately, to substances in the environment. The field has continued to expand significantly as researchers have identified an increasingly detailed picture of immune system function, contributing to more precise diagnosis and treatment of both allergic and immune-related conditions.