WHY
CHOOSE AN ALLERGIST?
An
allergist is a physician specially trained
to manage and treat allergies and asthma.
Becoming an allergist requires completion
of at least nine years of training. Allergists
who are listed as ABAI-certified have successfully
passed the certifying examination of the American
Board of Allergy and Immunology (ABAI), following
their fellowship.
As a result of this extensive study and training,
an allergist is the best-qualified medical
professional to effectively manage the comprehensive
needs of patients with allergic disease. Allergists
are trained in the prevention, diagnosis,
and treatment of immune system problems such
as allergies and asthma. Unlike a cold, allergic
disease is not a condition that someone can
just "get over." The help of a trained
allergist can reduce how often patients need
to stay home from work or school due to symptoms.
Studies show that those under the care of
an board-certified allergist also make fewer
visits to emergency rooms, and are better
able to daily manage their allergies and asthma.
If you are enrolled in a managed care organization,
your insurer will have a specific set of guidelines
that help your primary care physician decide
when to refer you to an allergist. Once you
are referred, the allergist will work to accurately
diagnose your condition by taking a thorough
patient history, including information about
your symptoms, family history, and home and
work environments. Your allergist will also
conduct allergy skin testing and any other
needed tests. Combining specific information
from your history and tests, the allergist
will be able to make an accurate diagnosis.
To help prevent symptoms, he or she will work
with you to develop an appropriate management
plan and will prescribe the most cost-effective
treatment, including recommendations for particular
medications and/or devices, and any needed
environmental control measures. Your allergist
and allied health staff will not only prescribe
medications and devices, but will also show
you how and when to use them.
