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An allergist is a physician specially trained to manage and treat allergies, asthma and the other allergic diseases. In the United States physicians who hold certification by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology (ABAI) have successfully completed an accredited educational program and an evaluation process, including a secure, proctored examination to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and experience to the provision of patient care in allergy and immunology. Becoming an allergist/immunologist requires completion of at least nine years of training.

After completing medical school and graduating with a medical degree, a physician will then undergo three years of training in internal medicine (to become an internist) or pediatrics (to become a pediatrician). Once physicians have finished training in one of these specialties, they must pass the exam of either the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) or the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). Internists or pediatricians who wish to focus on the sub-specialty of allergy-immunology then complete at least an additional two years of study, called a fellowship, in an allergy/immunology training program. Allergist/immunologists who are listed as ABAI-certified have successfully passed the certifying examination of the American Board of Allergy and Immunology (ABAI), following their fellowship.

In the United Kingdom, allergy is a subspecialty of general medicine or pediatrics. After obtaining postgraduate exams (MRCP or MRCPCH respectively) a doctor works for several years as a specialist registrar before qualifying for the General Medical Council specialist register. Allergy services may also be delivered by immunologists. A 2003 Royal College of Physicians report presented a case for improvement of what were felt to be inadequate allergy services in the UK. In 2006, the House of Lords convened a subcommittee that reported in 2007. It concluded likewise that allergy services were insufficient to deal with what the Lords referred to as an “allergy epidemic” and its social cost; it made several other recommendations.

Discover the truth about allergy medication, including oral antihistamines, nasal antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal sprays…

allergy medication is widely prescribed all over the world. While some of these medicines are available by prescription, there are many available over-the-counter. If you watch television or read magazines, you have probably seen some of the numerous ads for allergy related medication, since these products are often marketed toward the consumer directly.

In recent years there has been a great increase in the types of medicines available for those with allergies, as well as an increase in the number of allergy sufferers who take prescription medication. Currently, about 50% of those with allergies take prescription medication and 35% of those with allergies take over-the-counter medicine for relief. There is room for improvement, however. 65% of allergy doctors and physicians were only partially satisfied with the allergy medication available and more than half of allergists surveyed were prescribing more than one medication for their patients.