Why a Board Certified Allergist?

Although any doctor with an MD degree could perform an allergy evaluation, a Board Certified Allergist spends 2 years studying allergy and immunology at a certified medical institution. Board certified allergists are required to pass the American Board of Allergy Examination and a recertification examination is performed every 5 years.

Outcome of treatment depends on the skill of the doctor and Board Certified Allergists have more formal education with diagnosis and treatment of allergies and immunologic diseases.

Newer techniques such as Rush and Cluster Allergy injections are only performed by board certified allergists.

Cluster immunotherapy
Patients can build up on their allergy treatment in weeks, not 6-8 weeks as is typical with weekly injections.

Zolair treatment for asthma
Can turn off the allergic antibody that causes asthma and is available at the Board Certified Allergist's office.

Food Challenge is performed by the Board Certified Allergist to diagnose food allergy. Skin and blood tests often do not diagnose food allergy.

Venom Treatment for wasps, hornets, yellow honeybees and fire ants is available at the Board Certified Allergist's office.

Questionable techniques

• Allergy drops to treat or diagnose allergy is not recommended by the American Academy of Allergy and Immunology.
• Low dose allergy shorts - often given by the non-board certified allergist to minimize local reactions but ofthen the patient gets poor response.
• Environmental testing- exposing a patient to substances in the environment (carpet glue, wallpaper - vinyl) and asking the patient how he feels. This technique is not recommended by the American Academy of Allergy and Immunology
• Blood (Rast or Unicap) test to diagnose or treat allergy
  • not as sensitive as skin testing
  • false positive tests common in highly allergic patients
  • cost is 8-10 times the cost of skin testing
  • insurance will often not reimburse for this test
  • treatment based on blood levels is not as accurate or specific and over treatment and under    treatment can occur