Choosing an Allergist

Not all allergists are created equal!  I thought every allergist would be an expert in all types of allergies, including food allergies, but that is not the case.  Allergists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases, asthma and diseases of the immune system.  This can range anywhere from eczema to seasonal allergies to chronic sinus infections.  Before you assume that your allergist knows how to give you adequate guidance about your child’s food allergies, be sure to do a little leg work of your own.  If you don’t do your homework you might have an experience like ours.

The first allergist we visited didn’t bother test our son for eggs or dairy because he felt my description of his reaction was sufficient enough to diagnose him with a food allergy.  He simply suggested we take a skin test to see if he was allergic to any nuts, which our son was.  When I asked the allergist what I should from that point, he simply said, “avoid the food he’s allergic to.”  That was all the information he gave us and I didn’t know what to ask.  I walked out feeling even more overwhelmed, lost and confused than I was when I came in.

A few things you can do to find an allergist who has experience with food allergies:

• Ask your doctor if they can give you a name of someone who has a lot of experience in this area (they may not know this information immediately but might be able to find out for you)
• Find out if the allergist is Board Certified (meaning they are up to date with all of the new research)
  
• Call the recommended allergist and speak to someone in the office who can tell you of the allergist’s experience with food allergies
  
• Talk to someone who has food allergies and already has an allergist they like
  
• Find an allergy support group in your area and ask the leaders or members of the group what their opinions are of the local allergists (click here for Your Local Food Allergy Support Groups )

After seeing three allergists, I wish I had the right information the first time.  I think the most valuable recommendations came from other parents of children with food allergies who had good experiences with a particular allergist.  If you don’t know someone, it’s worth visiting or reaching out to a support group that can help you get that information.  Finding a good allergist means not only getting the right tests, but also getting the information you need to manage the allergies.  With research constantly revealing new information, and recommendations for management frequently changing, it is worth finding and staying in contact with someone you can trust.