Allergy and Immunology (2024)

FAQs

What is immunology and allergy? ›

iStock. Allergy and immunology is the area of medicine dedicated to the study, diagnosis, and treatment of immune system conditions, including allergic disease and related symptoms and reactions — issues that affect many millions of Americans.

An allergist (allergist/immunologist) is a doctor who diagnoses and treats allergies, asthma and immunologic conditions.

This means allergies and immune system function are inherently linked. Allergic reactions cause inflammation throughout your body. This is part of your immune system's natural defense mechanism, but if left untreated, chronic inflammation can contribute to disease and poor immune system health.

An immunologist treats health issues brought on by immune system problems. Also known as allergists, immunologists are doctors who diagnose, treat, and work to prevent immune system disorders. You may see an immunologist if you have food or seasonal allergies, hay fever, eczema or an autoimmune disease.

Immunologists and rheumatologists may treat patients of all ages. More specifically, immunologists commonly treat patients with immunologic conditions and allergies. Rheumatologists, however, typically treat patients with autoimmune diseases and musculoskeletal conditions related to bones, joints and muscles.

There are two general types of allergy blood tests: A total IgE test is used to measure the total amount of IgE antibodies in your blood. A specific IgE test measures how much IgE your body makes in response to a single allergen. A separate test is done for each allergen that may be causing your allergies.

An allergist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of asthma and other allergic diseases.

Immunological tests can also be used to diagnose congenital or acquired diseases of the immune system, differentiate between different forms of rheumatoid arthritis, or monitor the progression of an existing medical condition, such as certain types of cancer (in prostate cancer the PSA levels in blood are monitored).

“In autoimmunity, there is a different type of T-cell involved than in allergies. In an autoimmune response, tissue destruction occurs. With allergies, the immune system overreacts to harmless allergens. Interestingly, this is the same type of response that expels viruses, parasites, and bacteria from the body.”

Some common autoimmune diseases, including Type 1 diabetes mellitus, are relatively easy to diagnose, while others, such as vasculitis, Addison's disease, lupus, and other rheumatic diseases, are more difficult.

Why would you be referred to immunology? ›

Adults or children should be referred to an Immunology clinic if primary immune deficiency (an immunodeficiency that is not due to other causes such as medications and lymphoma) or periodic fever/auto-inflammatory condition is suspected.

If you have a history of allergic reactions, allergic rhinitis, allergic asthma, or sinusitis, and are experiencing symptoms affecting your ears, nose, and throat, an allergist/immunologist should be your point of contact. Signs to look out for include: Nasal congestion. Sinus pressure.

An allergen is a substance that can cause an allergic reaction. In some people, the immune system recognizes allergens as foreign or dangerous. As a result, the immune system reacts by making a type of antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE) to defend against the allergen. This reaction leads to allergy symptoms.

Your appointment

You will be seen either by an allergy and/or immunology specialist physician or allergy clinical nurse specialist who will undertake an initial assessment. If indicated, allergy skin prick and other tests may be done before or after this consultation.

Immunologists study how the body's defence system (the immune system) functions and treat patients with immune system disorders. You'll provide support for the diagnosis and management of conditions such as HIV, multiple sclerosis and tuberculosis.

Overview. Immunotherapy is a preventive treatment for allergic reactions to substances such as grass pollens, house dust mites and bee venom. Immunotherapy involves giving gradually increasing doses of the substance, or allergen, to which the person is allergic.