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 such as hay fever, hives, and eczema.
Specialized Training
The effective treatment of allergic disorders must be solidly based on advanced training. The training of the allergist involves at least 9 years of intense study-4 years medical school, followed by three years of training in internal medicine or pediatrics, plus two more years of specialized training in allergy and immunology.
Board Certified
To be board certified as an allergist, a physician first 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, which requires an 8 hour written examination on the anatomy, physiology, pathology, biochemistry, diagnosis and treatment of allergic and immunologic disorders.
Continuing Medical Education
Continuing medical education is essential to maintaining competence in this specialty, where advances in knowledge are proceeding at a fast pace. The allergist must spend many hours reading medical journals and attending clinical conferences. 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 the latest developments in the field.