An allergist is a medical doctor who has specialized in the field of managing allergies and allergic diseases, including asthma. Once having obtained a medical degree, an aspiring allergist then has to go through a 3-year residency in either pediatrics or internal medicine, before going on for another 2-3 years of fellowship training in allergy and immunology.
What Does an Allergist Do?
An allergist deals with allergies. Given that allergies are one of the most common health conditions around the world and have been on the rise for the last 50 years, there is no shortage of work for these specialists.
An allergic reaction can be triggered by almost anything – foods, medications, skin contact with substances or materials, animal bites and stings, pollens, dust, molds, pet dander… you name it. In fact, one of the important jobs of an allergist is to name it, to identify the trigger for your allergies. This is typically achieved through a series of tests, including blood tests, patch tests, skins tests, even tests of your lung function and nasal swabs. In addition to determining the offending allergen at the root of your troubles, these tests can also help to ascertain the severity of the reaction and guide an appropriate course of action for managing your allergies.
Common conditions managed by an allergist include:
- Hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis
- Asthma, a condition which causes airway spasms and breathing difficulties
- Allergic skin conditions, such as atopic or contact dermatitis and hives
- Anaphylaxis, a medical emergency involving a severe and potentially fatal allergic reaction
- Chronic snoring or insomnia, which may be caused by allergies
- Chronic sinus or ear infections, which may be exacerbated by poorly controlled allergies
Once the allergist has performed a thorough examination and testing, he or she can put together a plan to treat or manage your allergies, including education on how to avoid your triggers or at least reduce your exposure. You may also be recommended medical therapies, such as:
- Medications for treating asthma or allergies
- Immunotherapy as an injection (allergy shot) or daily tablets to desensitize your body’s immune reaction to the allergens
- Epinephrine pen to manage anaphylactic shock
Allergist vs ENT Specialist
You may have come across mention of ENT (ear, nose, throat) specialists in the context of managing allergies. But are ENT doctors the same as allergists?
An ENT doctor is primarily trained in the medical and surgical management of all ear, nose, and throat disorders. Often, these parts of the body will be involved in allergy (for example, coughing, itchy throat, airway swelling, runny or congested nose, blocked ears), so because of this, many ENTs undertake further training in managing allergies, achieving special accreditation in this area. Other disorders that ENTs commonly manage include those that are not necessarily related to allergy, such as chronic sinusitis, sleep apnea, and septum deviation.
Conversely, an allergist focuses specifically on the management of allergies. As there is often overlap between allergy and structural ENT disorders – for example, both allergy and sleep apnea can contribute to chronic snoring – patients with allergies may be seen by both types of doctors in a co-management situation.
BergerHenry ENT Allergy Management
Our BHENT doctors are ear, nose, throat specialists who have undergone extensive additional training to effectively manage asthma and other allergic conditions, including hay fever, food allergies, eczema and dermatitis, drug allergies, insect sting allergies, and anaphylaxis.
As with all their patients, our specialists manage allergy cases with compassion and professionalism, devising an allergy management plan tailored to your specific circumstances and personal preferences.
We work closely with board-certified allergists when this is in the best interests of our patients, ensuring optimal and comprehensive care for all your allergy-related concerns.