Is an Immunologist the Same as an Allergist?

Allergists treat a wide array of conditions related to allergies and the immune system. The most common conditions that allergists treat are:

⦁ Allergic rhinitis – This is more commonly known as hay fever. This condition affects the nose and results in sneezing, congestion, and a runny nose.
⦁ Asthma – This condition causes the airways to narrow, making it difficult to breathe. The allergen that causes a person to experience an allergic reaction may also trigger an asthma attack.
⦁ Autoinflammatory syndromes – This condition results in spontaneous inflammation due to an overactive immune response.
⦁ Chronic sinusitis – This condition is characterized by the inflammation of the sinus passageways and can develop because of a cold, infection, or allergic reaction. The symptoms are nasal discharge, congestion, and pain and tenderness around the sinuses in the face.
⦁ Food Allergies – This is the most common type of allergy and is relatively easy to manage with avoidance and allergy medication. Symptoms of food allergies can vary in terms of severity from very mind to extremely life-threatening. Common food allergens include peanuts, soy, wheat, milk, tree nuts, and shellfish. Most food allergies
⦁ Immunodeficiency diseases – These conditions occur when immune cells or proteins are missing or are malfunctioning.
⦁ Insect bites or stings – Allergies to insect bites or stings can be extremely dangerous as they can result in a severe reaction called anaphylaxis where blood pressure drops and the airways narrow.
⦁ Skin allergies – This type of allergy often causes eczema and hives to break out on the skin. Eczema results in itchy, dry patches across the skin. Hives are red itchy bumps that take the form of bumps.

Immunologists, also known as allergists, are able to treat conditions related to allergies and the immune system. This includes:

⦁ Allergic rhinitis – Also known as hay fever, this is an allergic reaction that causes inflammation in and around the nose and airways.
⦁ Allergic conjunctivitis – When exposed to an allergen, this condition causes inflammation around the eyes.
⦁ Anaphylaxis – This is a life-threatening allergic reaction where blood pressure drops and airways narrow, making it difficult or impossible to breathe. It requires an epinephrine injection to mitigate the response and immediate medical attention.
⦁ Asthma – This a condition that causes inflammation in the airways which makes breathing difficult.
⦁ Atopic dermatitis – This is a type of skin condition (also known as eczema) that causes a red, itchy skin rash.
⦁ Hives – These red, itchy welts develop on areas of the skin following exposure to an allergen.
⦁ Eosinophilic esophagitis – This condition occurs when a certain type of white blood cell collects in the esophagus. This results in inflammation and tissue damage.
⦁ Immunodeficiency diseases – When certain immune cells or proteins are missing or are not working properly, it results in numerous medical symptoms that can be distressing to the patient.
⦁ Autoinflammatory syndromes – This condition causes spontaneous and severe inflammation due to an intense immune response.

If you experience allergic reactions or have frequent, recurring infections, you should contact an allergist as soon as possible. Allergists and immunologists diagnose, treat, and manage various conditions that have to do with allergies and the body’s immune response.

An ‘allergist’ and an ‘immunologist’ are both medical specialists that have been trained to diagnose, treat, and manage allergies and immunologic disorders. Therefore, the terms ‘allergist’ and ‘immunologist’ can be used interchangeably.

At Piniella Asthma + Allergy, our allergists provide the highest level of care to ensure that you can live safely and comfortably. We can help you diagnose and treat your condition and would be more than happy to do so! Contact us today or book in online for an appointment – we’re ready and waiting to take your call! We serve patients from Coral Gables FL, Palmetto Bay FL, Westchester FL, Brownsville FL, Kendall FL, Pinecrest FL, Richmond West FL, and Goulds FL.