Medically Reviewed by: Chandra Vethody, M.D.
An allergist is a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating allergies, asthma, and certain conditions involving the immune system. The formal name of the specialty is allergy and immunology, so the same doctor may be called an allergist, an immunologist, or an allergist/immunologist. At Advanced ENT & Allergy, allergists care for children and adults across Louisville, Central Kentucky, and Southern Indiana.
They help patients identify what is triggering their symptoms, determine whether another condition may be responsible, and build a treatment plan that fits the diagnosis and the patient’s daily life.
Allergists evaluate symptoms affecting the nose, lungs, skin, digestive system, and immune system. Depending on the symptoms, they may use skin, blood, or breathing tests. A supervised challenge may also be appropriate. Treatment can include trigger avoidance, medication, immunotherapy, patient education, or emergency planning.
“The most common conditions we see in private practice are allergic rhinitis, or seasonal allergies, and all kinds of asthma. We also see food allergies in patients of all ages, hives and other rashes, eczema, drug allergies, and immunological conditions.”
Chandra Vethody, M.D.
Board-Certified Allergist and Immunologist
Conditions an allergist may evaluate or manage include:
In everyday patient care, there’s usually no practical difference. Allergy and immunology is one medical specialty, and physicians trained in it are commonly called allergists/immunologists. The term allergist is often used when the doctor’s work focuses on allergies and asthma. Immunologist may be used when discussing immune deficiency disorders or research involving the immune system.
Clinical interests vary by physician and practice. Patients with a known or suspected immune disorder should confirm that the allergist they are considering evaluates that specific condition.
Consider seeing an allergist when symptoms keep returning, are difficult to control, interfere with sleep or daily activities, or have not improved with appropriate over-the-counter treatment or care from a primary care clinician.
Other reasons to consider an allergy evaluation include:
Dr. Vethody explains how that pattern can appear:
“Allergic rhinitis is usually a chronic issue, so symptoms often follow a pattern. They may return every spring, summer, fall, or winter. If they are not improving with over-the-counter treatments, such as nasal sprays or allergy pills, it may be time to see an allergist.”
Chandra Vethody, M.D.
Board-Certified Allergist and Immunologist
An isolated illness accompanied by fever or fatigue may suggest an infection. These patterns aren’t diagnoses by themselves, which is why a clinical evaluation matters.
Call 911 for signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as trouble breathing, swelling of the face or tongue, fainting, or rapidly worsening symptoms. Do not wait for a routine allergy appointment.
A first visit usually begins with a detailed conversation about symptoms, possible triggers, timing, previous reactions, other health conditions, family history, and medications. The allergist may then perform a physical examination and decide which tests, if any, would be useful.
“At the first visit, I see the patient and we decide what kind of testing we need. If the patient has asthma, we do a breathing test. If we want to do skin testing, we can do it during the same visit.”
Chandra Vethody, M.D.
Board-Certified Allergist and Immunologist
Bring a current medication list, relevant medical records or test results, and notes or photos documenting previous reactions. Some medications can interfere with skin testing, but do not stop any prescription or over-the-counter medication unless the allergy office or prescribing clinician instructs you to do so.
A pediatric allergist is an allergist/immunologist who evaluates infants, children, and adolescents. These specialists treat many of the same conditions seen in adults, including environmental allergies, asthma, eczema, hives, food allergies, and immune disorders, while adapting the evaluation and treatment plan to the child’s age and development.
Parents and caregivers play an important role by describing symptom patterns, foods, medications, school or daycare exposures, and previous reactions. Testing is chosen based on the child’s history and medical needs rather than age alone. If a food allergy is suspected in a baby or young child, Dr. Vethody recommends arranging an evaluation promptly.
Advanced ENT & Allergy’s allergy team cares for children and adults across Kentucky and Southern Indiana:
Dr. Vethody is a board-certified allergist and immunologist who completed fellowship training at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Her clinical interests include food allergies, asthma, and immunodeficiencies.
Dr. Emerson is a board-certified allergist and immunologist with combined residency training in internal medicine and pediatrics. His clinical interests include asthma and food allergies.
Dr. Gerace is double board-certified in pediatrics and allergy/immunology. Her clinical interests include allergic rhinitis, severe asthma, eczema, pediatric food allergy, and drug allergy.
Advanced ENT & Allergy provides allergy care at locations across Louisville, Central Kentucky, and Southern Indiana, including Dixie, Breckenridge, and Brownsboro Crossing in Louisville, as well as New Albany, Bardstown, and Shelbyville. Provider availability varies by location.
Patients throughout Kentuckiana may deal with extended exposure to tree, grass, and weed pollen, along with mold encouraged by the region’s humidity. An allergist can help determine whether these environmental triggers are contributing to persistent nasal, eye, skin, or breathing symptoms.
To find an allergist near you, schedule an allergy appointment online or call (502) 995-5525. The team can help identify the most convenient location and appropriate provider.
Yes. Allergists are physicians who complete medical school, residency training, and additional fellowship training in allergy and immunology. Board-certified allergists have also met the certification requirements of the American Board of Allergy and Immunology.
No. An ENT physician specializes in conditions affecting the ears, nose, throat, and related structures of the head and neck. An allergist specializes in allergic disease, asthma, and certain immune-system conditions. Their work can overlap when symptoms such as congestion, sinus pressure, nasal polyps, or breathing problems have more than one possible cause.
“We work very closely together. If there is something the ENT team cannot manage, they send the patient to us. If there is something we cannot manage, such as polyps or a problem that may need surgery, we send the patient to ENT.”
Chandra Vethody, M.D.
Board-Certified Allergist and Immunologist
An allergist can help identify triggers, determine whether symptoms are truly allergy-related, explain testing results, and create an individualized management plan. Depending on the diagnosis, that plan may include avoiding triggers, medications, allergy shots or another form of immunotherapy, asthma treatment, or instructions for responding to a serious reaction.
Allergy care may also improve related conditions. Dr. Vethody notes that allergies can trigger asthma in some patients, so improving allergy control may help improve asthma control. An allergist can evaluate whether environmental allergies are contributing to symptoms and address both conditions together.
Appointment length varies according to the reason for the visit and whether testing is completed. A first appointment may take longer than a routine follow-up because it can include a detailed history, examination, breathing testing, or skin testing. Ask the office how much time to allow when scheduling.
Allergy visits and medically necessary testing are covered by many insurance plans, but network participation, deductibles, copays, prior authorization, and covered services vary. Advanced ENT & Allergy participates with many insurers. Review the current insurance information and confirm your specific benefits with both your health plan and the practice before the appointment.
It depends on your insurance plan. Some plans allow patients to schedule directly with an allergist, while others require a referral from a primary care clinician. Contact your insurer or Advanced ENT & Allergy before scheduling if you’re unsure.
An allergist is not usually the primary specialist for celiac disease. Celiac disease is an immune-mediated digestive condition, not a food allergy. Doctors typically diagnose it with blood tests and, when indicated, a biopsy of the small intestine. A primary care clinician or gastroenterologist can coordinate that evaluation. An allergist may help if the concern is a separate wheat allergy.
Do not begin a gluten-free diet before celiac testing unless a clinician instructs you to, because avoiding gluten can affect the results.
Lactose intolerance is a digestive problem caused by difficulty breaking down lactose, not an allergic reaction to milk protein. It’s usually evaluated by a primary care clinician or gastroenterologist through the medical history and, in some cases, a hydrogen breath test. An allergist can evaluate a suspected milk allergy when symptoms suggest an immune reaction instead.
Yes, allergists can evaluate certain suspected medication allergies, but available testing depends on the medication. Advanced ENT & Allergy most commonly evaluates penicillin allergy and may evaluate some other antibiotic allergies. For other medications, the care team can help patients determine the most appropriate next step.
Because side effects, intolerances, and true allergic reactions are different, do not remove a medication from your allergy list or try it again without medical guidance. Call the practice with the medication name and details of the previous reaction to learn what evaluation is available.
Yes. Allergists diagnose and manage asthma using the medical history, symptom patterns, a physical examination, and breathing tests such as spirometry when appropriate. They can also evaluate whether environmental allergies are triggering or worsening asthma symptoms.
Allergists/immunologists specialize in allergic conditions and certain immune deficiencies, but they’re not usually the primary specialists for autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. Evaluation often begins with a primary care clinician and may involve a rheumatologist or another specialist based on the affected organs and symptoms. An allergist can help determine whether symptoms fit an allergic or immune-deficiency pattern and coordinate an appropriate referral.
Connect with an allergist serving Louisville, Central Kentucky, and Southern Indiana.
Or call (502) 995-5525 to get started.