In the Allergy Specialist Search, you’ll find experts in the diagnosis and treatment of allergy-related conditions. Do you suffer from an allergy? We’ll help you find a suitable allergist.
The Field of Allergology—The Scope of Practice for Allergists
Allergology deals with the causes and treatment of allergies. Allergists specialize in identifying the cause of an allergy using various diagnostic procedures and providing appropriate treatment.
It is often not easy to determine the trigger of an allergy (allergen), and the search is akin to detective work. This is because there are over 20,000 possible known triggers that could be the relevant allergen. Patients often have to undergo various allergy tests until the specific allergen(s) are identified.
If you suspect that you have an allergy—such as hay fever—you can have an allergist perform a so-called “epicutaneous test” or “prick test.” In this test, tiny amounts of the suspected substance are applied to the skin’s surface to potentially trigger localized allergic reactions.
Once the specific allergen has been identified, various treatment options are available in allergology. The most important measure is allergen avoidance. The person with the allergy must try to avoid the specific allergen. If the allergy is caused by only one or a few triggers, desensitization over a period of 3–5 years can be successful.
If allergy-related symptoms are present, various medication-based treatments are used that act both locally and systemically. To be licensed to practice as an allergist, specialists must complete at least one year of advanced training, typically at an allergy clinic.
Diagnostic Services in Allergology
- Detailed medical history
- Patch test
- Prick test
- Scratch test
- Intracutaneous test
- Exposure test
- Elimination diet
- Blood tests
