What is an allergist?

A Recognized Medical Specialist Dealing with Allergic and Immunologic Disorders

An allergist is a physician specially trained, skilled, and experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of allergies, asthma, and related immunologic disorders—for example, hay fever, hives, eczema, food allergies, and weak immune systems.

Specialized Training

The effective treatment of allergic disorders is based on advanced training. After obtaining a college degree, the training of an allergist involves at least 9 years of additional intense study- 4 years of medical school, followed by 3 years of training in internal medicine or pediatrics, plus 2 more years of specialized training in allergy and immunology.

Board Certified

To be board certified as an allergist, a physician must be certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine or the American Board of Pediatrics, and then certified again by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology.

Continuing Medical Education

Continuing medical education is essential to maintaining competence in this specialty, where advances in knowledge are proceeding at a rapid pace. The allergist must spend many hours reading medical journals, attending clinical conferences, and do annual testing to maintain certification. Many allergists are members of the American Academy of Allergy and Immunology and/or the American College of Allergy and Immunology, which helps them keep abreast of latest developments in the field.