An allergist Is a physician specially trained, skilied, and experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of allergies, asthma, and related immunologic disorders-for example hay fever, hives,and eczema.

The effective treatment of allergic disorders must be solidly based on advanced training. The training of an allergist involves at least 9 years of intense study - 4 years of medical school, followed by 3 years of training in Internal medicine or pediatrics plus 2 more years of specialized training in allergy and immunology.

To be board certified as an allergist a physician first must be certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine or the American Board of Pediatrics and then certified again by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology, which requires an 8-hour written examination on the anatomy, physiology, pathology, biochemistry, diagnosis, and treatment of allergic and immunologic disorders.

Continuing medical education is essential to maintaining competence in this specialty, where advances in knowledge are proceeding at a fast pace. The allergist must spend many hours reading medical journals and attending clinical conferences. Many allergists are members of the American Academy of Allergy and Immunology and/or the American College of Allergy and Immunology, which helps them keep abreast of latest developments in the field.

GS