What Does It Take To Be An Allergy Doctor?

Question- What made you want to be an allergy doctor?

Dr. Shah- “One of the reasons I chose to pursue a fellowship in allergy/immunology is that this field is one of the only fields in medicine where we can actually reverse the disease process, particularly in allergic rhinitis or conjunctivitis. Let me explain a bit further. In most other fields of medicine, once you have a diagnosis, let’s say of hypertension or diabetes, the next step is to make lifestyle changes or start medications to treat those disease states. However, once you are on an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor for hypertension or insulin for diabetes, the chances of coming off those medications is very low. However, in allergy/immunology, through allergy immunotherapy or allergy shots, we can actually make someone “immune” or “unallergic” to their triggers. Allergy shots can actually help reverse disease like hayfever or asthma so the body’s own immune system is stronger and patients don’t need to be on lifelong medications. That was my number one draw to the field.”

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Question- What are some challenges you face as an allergist that other medical professions may not encounter?

Dr. Shah- “Many patients and physicians don’t realize the impact that untreated allergic disease can have on a patient’s health and lifestyle. Especially for young adults that are suffering from seasonal allergies or suffering with asthma, the amount of days missed from school and work can be significant. In addition to that, allergic diseases greatly affect a patient’s ability to breathe properly, to sleep throughout the night or to get proper oxygen to the lungs and brain which can lead to decreased productivity at work and school. Also, certain diseases such as recurrent sinus disease, migraines and gastrointestinal disease can have allergic triggers and get worse if the allergies themselves are not treated.”

Question- What is the path or process one must go through to become an allergy doctor?

Dr. Shah- “Undergraduate degree followed by medical school, a residency in pediatrics or internal medicine, and then allergy fellowship. It’s a long road but worth it!”

Question- What are the most common spring allergies you see in Columbus, Ohio during the spring and summer?

Dr. Shah- “Tree pollen and grass pollen are the main culprits in the spring, especially in the Ohio valley area.”

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Question- What are some advancements in allergy treatments we have to look forward to?

Dr. Shah- “Wow, what a great question. It would be hard not to be excited about biologic agents that are currently available to our patients and the biologics being developed as well. Biologic agents are a rapidly expanding class of medications, and several options are now available for the management of allergic and immunologic disorders. Currently, biologics account for more than 20% of all drugs approved annually by the FDA. Some of these monoclonal antibodies have transformed clinical care for patients suffering with nasal polyps, chronic urticaria/hives and eosinophilic esophagitis. They are also now getting indications for treating food allergies and COPD. I’m excited about having more options to deliver allergy immunotherapy to patients such as intra lymphatic immunotherapy. These options can make allergy shots more accessible and provide much quicker relief than traditional allergy shots!”