Isn’t It Time for an Allergist?
Board-certified and fellowship-trained allergists know how important it is for patients to consult us if they’re struggling with any of the symptoms caused by allergic conditions. But it’s possible patients and their primary care providers (PCPs) don’t understand the tremendous value and improved quality of life that board-certified and fellowship-trained allergists can deliver.
We’ve created a campaign to help both Primary Care Physicians and patients understand the importance of seeing a board-certified, fellowship-trained allergist. Because patients shouldn’t have to suffer with unresolved symptoms from allergies, asthma, atopic dermatitis, food allergies, urticaria or recurrent infections. When you want to end the cycle of suffering, it’s time for an allergist.
Is It Worth It to Refer to an Allergist?
A primary care provider (PCP) is the go-to professional when people have health-related issues—any and every health-related issue. From preventive care to diagnosing and managing chronic conditions like hypertension or diabetes to managing acute conditions like heart disease, PCPs have a full plate. Repeated visits by patients with unresolved allergy or asthma symptoms don’t need to add to the burden. For those patients, it’s time to refer to a board-certified, fellowship-trained allergist.
Why should a PCP partner with an allergist?
Allergists bring a depth of experience in determining the root of the problem and managing it. That experience makes us a valuable partner with primary care practitioners in the care of their patients with allergies and asthma. An allergist is a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating allergies, asthma and other conditions caused by immune system dysfunction. Our board certification and fellowship training in allergy and immunology means we can see both adult and pediatric patients with a variety of medical conditions, including:
- Allergic rhinitis
- Anaphylaxis
- Asthma
- Chronic sinus problems including sinusitis
- Drug allergy
- Eczema
- Environmental allergies (pet dander, dust mites, and more)
- Food allergy
- Hives
- Stinging insect allergy
Why do PCPs refer to board-certified, fellowship-trained allergists?
After a residency in internal medicine or pediatrics, allergists spend an extra two to three years in focused fellowship training to specialize in allergic conditions. A fellowship-trained allergist’s sole focus is treating allergic conditions.
Board certification is an extra step many physicians complete to show expertise and competence in treating allergic disorders. The American Board of Medical Specialties ONLY recognizes board certification in allergy for physicians who have completed the above fellowship training, passed the certification exam and participate in the current maintenance of the certification process.
When should a PCP refer to an allergist?
If a patient has symptoms of wheezing, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, post-nasal drip or itchy, watery eyes that are not well controlled with typical over-the-counter medications, then it’s time for an allergist. An allergist can help determine whether the symptoms are related to an environmental allergy, such as pollens, molds, animal dander and dust mites, or something entirely different. Board-certified, fellowship-trained allergists have the specialized training necessary to identify the source of the allergy as well as knowledge of the latest medications to properly treat the patient.
Referring to an allergist can help end the cycle of suffering
There are 40-50 million people suffering from allergies or asthma in the United States. With so many people dealing with these health concerns, you'd think treatment would be easy to access and over-the-counter medications would be effective. But that is typically not the case. Even with help from their PCPs, many people continue to suffer from asthma or allergies that go untreated or uncontrolled. When that’s the case, it’s time for an allergist.
Allergists are asthma experts
Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases among children and adults, and it cannot be cured. When managed effectively by a highly trained specialist, asthma does not have to be life-threatening or disabling. Board-certified, fellowship-trained allergists understand the factors that influence the course of asthma, methods to assess triggers and levels of control and new targets for intervention. By partnering with an allergist, PCPs can help their asthma patients experience:
- Fewer emergency care visits
- Fewer hospitalizations
- Fewer days in the hospital
- Fewer sick care office visits
- Fewer days missed from work or school
- Increased productivity in their work and personal lives
- Greater satisfaction with their care
- Improved quality of life (QoL)
Allergists can help patients with eczema
Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, affects 10-20% of children and 1-3% of adults. The path to an eczema diagnosis can be a long one, and finding the right treatment can take even longer with a lot of trial and error. Allergists are specially trained to treat skin conditions, such as eczema, which are often related to an allergic response. A board-certified, fellowship-trained allergist can test to identify triggers and recommend treatments to help manage eczema. These tests can be used to help identify food, seasonal or year-round allergies that may be contributing to symptoms. Then, the allergist develops a treatment plan that may include medications or immunotherapy. Because eczema can come and go, partnering with an allergist can help PCPs gain and maintain control over what can be a painful, ongoing condition for their patients.
The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology made this video featuring celebrity John C McGinley to get the word out about the benefits of care by board-certified, fellowship-trained allergists. Because by partnering with an allergist, PCPs can prescribe relief. Check it out!