Step 5: Should you see an allergist?
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Many people begin by self-treating their allergies with over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. But if your allergy symptoms don't improve, or you have unpleasant side effects from OTC medicines, you may need to see a health care provider.

Your primary care doctor can prescribe an allergy drug for you. Some prescription medicines have fewer side effects than some OTC drugs. (Read more about OTC versus prescription drugs in step 10.)

For many people, their allergies are bad enough that they wonder if they should see an allergist. You may even wonder what an allergist does. An allergist diagnoses, treats, and manages allergy-related conditions, like allergic rhinitis and asthma. Becoming an allergist or immunologist requires 4 years of medical school and 3 years of residency training in either internal medicine or pediatrics (or both). Those who are ABAI-certified passed the American Board of Allergy and Immunology's certification examination.

You should see an allergist if you have any of the following:

Through testing, an allergist can identify the allergens that cause your symptoms. Your allergist can also help manage medication side effects, and offer advice on immunotherapy (allergy shots) options.

If you suspect you are allergic to something and you've never been diagnosed, ask your primary care physician to refer you to an allergist, and find out if you have insurance coverage before making an appointment.

Reference

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Consultation and referral guidelines citing the evidence: how the allergist-immunologist can help. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2006;117(Suppl 2):S495-523.

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Review Date: 6/29/2011
Reviewed By: Paula J. Busse, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Clinical Immunology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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