Who is an allergist?
Allergists are medical doctors specializing in preventing, diagnosing, and treating allergies and other problems with your immune system. Since allergies are an immune system overreaction, allergists thoroughly understand how your body fights infection to treat the hypersensitivity that leads to allergies. Due to their in-depth knowledge of the human immune system, they are also called immunologists.
What kind of education and training do allergists receive?
Like most physicians, allergists go through medical school to earn internal medicine or pediatrics certification. After completing their undergraduate degree, aspiring allergists enroll in medical school for four years and follow up with a three-year residency. They also finish a two-year allergy and immunology fellowship. The next step is to clear an exam administered by the American Board of Pediatrics or the American Board of Internal Medicine, followed by an exam by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology to become a certified practitioner of allergy treatment in the United States.
Although pollen, dander, medication, and food allergies are most common, one can be allergic to just about anything; this makes it crucial for allergists to have extensive training to understand, diagnose, and treat various allergies. Their training qualifies them to diagnose and treat conditions like hay fever, food allergies, food intolerances, eczema, psoriasis, asthma, and specific sinus and ear infections.
What is an allergy?
An allergy is your immune system's reaction to a foreign substance or a food product. The response is unique to you and a few others. Not every human would react similarly to the specific allergen. An allergen is a substance that brings out an allergic reaction in you.
When exposed to the allergen, your immune system produces antibodies that identify the harmless allergen as harmful. Your immune system's reaction may inflame your airways, digestive system, sinuses, nasal passages, and skin.
The severity of allergies varies. It may range from mild to severe. In extreme cases, it can trigger a life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis. You may also face slight irritation when exposed to an allergen. While most allergies lack a permanent cure, treatments that allergists prescribe can help relieve the symptoms.
What causes an allergy?
Medical experts do not clearly understand what triggers allergies in some individuals. However, evidence suggests that allergies tend to run in families, indicating a hereditary component. Those with a close relative who experiences allergies are also more likely to develop them.
While the exact cause of allergies remains uncertain, certain substances are commonly known to elicit an allergic response. People who suffer from allergies are typically sensitive to one or more of the following:
- Pet dander like that of cats or dogs
- Bee stings or bites from other insects
- Certain foods, including nuts and shellfish
- Certain medications, such as penicillin and aspirin
- Certain plants
- Pollen, mold, and dust mites
What are some symptoms of allergies?
Allergy symptoms depend on the allergen and may thus appear in varied combinations.
Hay fever, also often called allergic rhinitis or seasonal allergy, may cause you to sneeze. It might lead to a runny and stuffy nose, conjunctivitis, and nose and eye itching. The roof of your mouth may itch, too.
A food allergy might make your mouth tingle and might lead to swelling in your lips, tongue, cheeks, or throat. A drug allergy can cause itchy skin, rashes, facial swelling, and wheezing.
How do allergists check for allergies?
An allergist employs various tests to diagnose allergies, depending on the allergen under consideration. These tests may include:
- Blood tests - A laboratory examines a blood sample to identify signs of allergies to specific substances.
- Skin prick/scratch tests - The allergist applies small amounts of allergens to an applicator and then lightly scratches the skin to observe for reactions.
- Food challenge tests - During a food challenge test, the allergist administers increasing amounts of potentially allergenic food while monitoring for allergic reactions.
In addition to allergy testing, an allergist appointment might involve:
- Lung function testing (spirometry, pulmonary function testing): This test measures lung function, aiding in diagnosing and managing asthma.
- Instructions on using medical devices: The provider may prescribe and demonstrate using devices such as epinephrine injectors for severe allergic reactions or inhalers and nebulizers for asthma.
What are the types of allergies?
Allergies affect various parts of the body and manifest in diverse ways, depending on the trigger and the individual’s immune response. The following are some types of allergies:
- Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever): Allergic reactions in the nose that cause sneezing, congestion, runny nose, and itching. Seasonal allergens like pollen may trigger this, or it may persist year-round from dust mites, pets, or indoor molds.
- Asthma: Asthma symptoms involve airway spasms, inflammation, and mucus buildup restricting airflow. They range from mild discomfort to life-threatening attacks with symptoms such as chest tightness, wheezing, and coughing.
- Skin Allergies (Dermatitis, Eczema, Hives): Skin reactions to allergens or irritants are sometimes delayed, as with poison ivy. Common triggers include medications, insect stings, foods, and chemicals, with stress often worsening symptoms.
- Anaphylaxis: A severe, life-threatening allergic reaction affecting multiple body systems, often triggered by insect stings, certain foods, or medications. Symptoms include vomiting, a drop in blood pressure, hives, difficulty breathing, throat or tongue swelling, and even loss of consciousness. Immediate emergency care is crucial at the first sign of anaphylaxis.
Allergies and asthma can develop at any age and affect people regardless of background, though they’re more common in children. Symptoms may appear in childhood, go dormant, and re emerge later. Genetics plays a role in susceptibility, as do factors like hormones, stress, smoke, and environmental irritants. If you experience allergy symptoms that interfere with life or pose serious health risks, consulting an allergist near you can provide relief and ensure safety.
How is an allergic reaction treated?
If you encounter an allergic reaction and are unsure about its cause, it may be necessary to visit a doctor to identify the specific substances responsible for your symptoms. However, you may not require medical attention if you already know that you have an allergy and your symptoms are mild.
In most cases with mild allergic reactions, over-the-counter antihistamines like diphenhydramine (sold as Benadryl) can help manage the symptoms. These antihistamines can be purchased without a prescription and are available for online shopping.
Treatment for anaphylaxis
If a severe allergic reaction occurs, seeking immediate medical attention for yourself or someone else is crucial. First, check to see if the person is breathing and then call 911 or the local emergency services. In case of necessity, provide CPR.
Individuals aware of their allergies usually carry emergency medications such as an epinephrine auto-injector (available as EpiPen, Adrenaclick, Auvi-Q). Epinephrine is a "rescue drug" since it helps open the airways and increases blood pressure.
The person who requires the medication may be unable to administer it themselves and may need your assistance. If the individual is unconscious, take steps to prevent shock by laying them on their side, elevating their legs, and covering them with a blanket.
Can you prevent an allergic reaction?
After determining the source of your allergic reaction, you can follow these measures to prevent further allergic episodes:
- Stay away from the substance that triggers your allergy.
- Seek medical attention immediately if you accidentally come into contact with the allergen.
- Have medications available, such as those that can treat anaphylaxis.
While avoiding all allergic reactions may not be feasible, these steps can help minimize the possibility of future occurrences.
When should you see an allergist near you?
Some allergies can trigger anaphylaxis. Often, something as simple as a food allergy or an insect sting might trigger instant anaphylaxis and leave you in shock.
If you have consumed or exposed yourself to something and start experiencing nausea, vomiting, and shortness of breath, it is best to visit an allergist. If the signs elevate to a blood pressure drop, rapid or weak pulse, and a loss of consciousness, anaphylaxis may occur.
What should one expect during a visit to an allergist?
When you visit the allergist, they will ask questions to understand the timing and frequency of your allergic symptoms. Additionally, they may conduct various tests to pinpoint specific allergens.
The tests may include blood tests, patch tests, skin tests, pulmonary function tests, and nasal smears. These tests involve minimal amounts of allergens to identify which ones, if any, prompt an immune response.
The allergist will propose a course of action upon receiving the test results. The suggested approach might involve avoiding the allergen or using over-the-counter antihistamines for minor allergies. Many allergies result from excessive histamine release by the immune system, especially in pollen and dander allergies. The allergist may prescribe stronger medications to prevent symptoms if avoidance is impractical.
Finding the best allergists near you in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Untreated allergies can cause irritability each time you get exposed to an allergen. Diagnosing what you are allergic to can prevent a lot of discomfort.
Zocdoc helps you connect with the top allergists in your area who can diagnose and treat your allergies. Enter your location (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), condition or specialty (allergist), and preferred appointment date in the search query. You may also add your insurance carrier's name in the search query to filter doctor profiles according to those who accept your plan. If you need clarification about your insurance plan, Zocdoc's insurance detector will help you.
Our comprehensive healthcare directory shall access Philadelphia's top-rated and experienced allergist profiles. Each profile displays the doctor's educational qualifications, board certifications, clinical interests, specializations, practice history, certifications, and spoken languages. It also informs you about previous patient ratings and reviews. You may further filter hundreds of allergist profiles based on your unique allergy case requirement and gender preference. You can also learn the languages the doctor speaks and whether they treat children.
Once you select the best allergist to help you with your case, you must click on the book appointment option, and Zocdoc shall assist you in instantly booking an appointment for your first session. Zocdoc allows you to book video appointments before in-person visits to understand your allergist better. Look for a purple video icon on your allergist's profile, or filter the video appointment selection.
If you carry more than one insurance plan, Zocdoc allows you to add medical, dental, and vision plans to your profile. However, only one plan can be selected at a time when searching and booking appointments. For additional coverage, you can include your secondary insurance details in the provider notes at the final booking step. If your provider uses Zocdoc's Intake forms, you can also enter secondary insurance information when completing those forms online.
Zocdoc also allows you to update your insurance on your zocdoc account (How to update my insurance on my Zocdoc account).
With Zocdoc, you can book appointments before, during, and after office hours, depending on the availability of the allergist. If the allergist's schedule permits, you can also book appointments during weekends and holidays.
Booking appointments with allergists near you through Zocdoc is free, fast, and secure.
Vital statistics on allergies among Pennsylvanians
Per the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology reports, allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic illness in the USA, affecting more than 50 million Americans and costing them over $18 billion annually.
The Food Allergy and Research organization studied the frequency of food allergies in all 50 states of the USA utilizing the 2018 healthcare data compiled and maintained by Food Allergy and Research Education (FAIR Health). The data on the rise in anaphylaxis and food allergy diagnoses compared the number of cases in 2009 and 2016. Pennsylvania showed an estimated 213% rise in the diagnosis of anaphylaxis and food allergy in seven years and ranked seventh among all 50 states.
The research also presented the top four foods that caused the most anaphylactic reactions in Pennsylvanians between 2009 and 2016. It found tree nuts and seeds as the most significant allergen causing anaphylactic reactions in over 0.0505% of the Pennsylvanian population. The other three top allergens were eggs, peanuts, and shellfish (crustaceans), which caused anaphylactic reactions in about 0.0224%, 0.0377%, and 0.0151% of the Pennsylvanian population.
When the researchers studied the food allergy claims by age group, they found that most allergic reactions happen to Pennsylvanians between 0 and 4 years old. The figure stood at about 24%. The next age group in Pennsylvania most susceptible to allergies was 5 to 13 years old at around 31%, followed by the other age groups of 41 to 64 years old at 13%, 14 to 18 at 11%, and 26 to 40 at 9%. Those in Pennsylvania aged 65 and over were the least affected at 5%, followed by those aged 19 to 25 at approximately 7%.
Sources
WebMD
MayoClinic[1]
MayoClinic[2]
The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology[1]
The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology[2]
Food Allergy Research & Education
Healthline
Cleveland Clinic
