What Is an Allergist? Your Partner in Managing Allergies, Asthma, and Immune Health

Understanding Your Allergy & Immunology Specialist

Hello, I’m Dr. Sonia Shah. As a dual board-certified Allergist & Immunologist, I often meet people who are tired of dealing with symptoms like constant sneezing, wheezing, itchy skin, hives, asthma, or confusing reactions to foods or medications. It’s my passion and my profession to help patients of all ages understand why these things are happening and find lasting relief. Allergists like myself are medical doctors who have completed specialized training focused entirely on the immune system – specifically how it relates to allergies, asthma, and other immune conditions. 

At Art of Allergy, we delve into how your unique immune system responds to triggers – be it pollen, dust mites, a specific food, or even certain medications – and work collaboratively with you to protect your health and improve your quality of life.

What Conditions Do We Treat at Art of Allergy?

As an Allergist & Immunologist, my expertise covers a broad spectrum of conditions stemming from immune system responses. Here at Art of Allergy, we frequently help patients navigate:

• Environmental Allergies: Including seasonal triggers like pollen (hay fever) and year-round culprits like dust mites, pet dander, and mold, causing symptoms like allergic rhinitis (sneezing, congestion).
• Asthma: Often closely linked to allergies, ranging from mild exercise-induced symptoms to severe, persistent asthma requiring advanced therapies.
• Food Allergies: Identifying triggers (like peanuts, tree nuts, milk, egg, soy, wheat, fish, shellfish) and managing reactions, from mild itching to life-threatening anaphylaxis. We also address related conditions like Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE).
• Chronic Sinus Issues (Sinusitis): Often linked to underlying allergies or inflammation.
• Skin Conditions: Such as Rashes, Itchy skin,  Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema), chronic hives (Urticaria), Angioedema (swelling), and Contact Dermatitis caused by substances like metals or cosmetics.
• Drug and Insect Sting Allergies: Evaluating reactions to medications and developing plans for safe future treatment, as well as managing potentially severe reactions to insect stings (bees, wasps, etc.).
• Immune System Concerns: Including investigating  autoimmune diseases, stress as a trigger, and potential Primary Immunodeficiency disorders in patients with recurrent infections and managing conditions like Mast Cell Disorders.

You can explore the full range of conditions we treat here.

Why Choose an Allergist like Me?

While your primary care doctor is essential for overall health, some conditions require a deeper dive. Over-the-counter remedies might offer temporary relief, but they don’t address the underlying cause. As an allergist, I utilize specialized knowledge and diagnostic tools to pinpoint the precise triggers behind your symptoms. This allows us, together, to create a personalized treatment plan. This specialized approach is often the key difference between ongoing discomfort and finding genuine, long-term relief, especially for those with severe symptoms, multiple allergies, or conditions unresponsive to initial treatments. My goal is to help you live a healthier, more comfortable life, free from the limitations imposed by allergies or immune issues.

My Journey: Education, Training, and Commitment

Becoming an allergist requires extensive dedication.    An allergist is a physician specially trained, skilled, and experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of allergies, asthma, and related immunologic disorders –for example, hay fever, hives, and eczema.

To be a specialized allergist, a physician must be solidly based on advanced training.  The training of an allergist involves at least 9 years of intense study – 4 years of medical school, followed by 3 years of training in Internal medicine or pediatrics, plus 2 more years of specialized training in allergy and immunology. 

To be a board certified allergist, a physician must be certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine or the American Board of Pediatrics which is a 10 hour exam, and THEN certified again by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology, which requires an 8-hour examination on the anatomy, physiology, pathology, biochemistry, diagnosis and treatment of allergic and immunologic disorders.

Continuing medical education  is essential to maintain competence in this specialty, where advances in knowledge are proceeding at a fast pace. As an allergist we must spend many hours reading medical journals and attending clinical conferences keeping us abreast of latest developments in the field.

My path, like that of my colleagues, began with four years of medical school, followed by a three-year residency – for me, this was in Internal Medicine at Rush University Medical Center. This foundational training provided a broad understanding of adult medicine.

The crucial step was completing a specialized two-year fellowship, also at Rush, focused solely on Allergy and Immunology. I did the training to become a recognized Medical Specialist dealing with Allergic and Immunologic Disorders.  This intensive training involved mastering the complexities of the immune system, learning advanced diagnostic techniques like detailed skin testing and interpreting immune function tests, and understanding the full range of therapies, from avoidance strategies to medications and cutting-edge immunotherapy.  

After fellowship at Rush I took both the Internal medicine board exam and Allergy and Immunology board exam which are  rigorous board certification exams to determine competence in the specialty.  I am dual boarded and just took my re-certification 10 hour exam in Internal medicine as a practicing Allergist.  I firmly believe allergies and immunological diseases are connected to the whole body and body systems.  I am committed to continuous medical education, regularly attending conferences and reviewing the latest research to ensure the care I provide at Art of Allergy reflects the most current scientific understanding and best practices for my patients.  I am also  currently an Ambassador for the American Board of Allergy and Immunology.

How My Role Differs from Your Primary Care Doctor

While both primary care physicians and allergists like me might address symptoms like a cough or rash, our focus differs significantly. Your primary doctor manages your overall health across a wide range of issues. My practice, however, is dedicated exclusively to conditions driven by the immune system – allergies, asthma, and immunodeficiencies.

This specialization means I bring advanced expertise in:

• Identifying specific triggers for respiratory, skin, or systemic reactions.
• Understanding complex immune system interactions.
• Performing and interpreting specialized tests like skin prick tests, patch tests for contact dermatitis, blood tests (IgE), lung function tests (spirometry), and even supervised challenge tests for food or drug allergies when necessary.
• Developing comprehensive treatment plans that may include environmental controls, advanced medications like biologics, and immunotherapy (allergy shots or under-the-tongue tablets) designed to modify the immune response itself.

[Learn more about the specific services we offer.

If your symptoms are persistent, severe, complex, or significantly impacting your daily life despite basic treatment, it’s likely time for the specialized approach we offer at Art of Allergy.

Common Conditions We Diagnose and Treat

Let’s look closer at some conditions where specialized allergist care makes a real difference:

• Allergic Rhinitis (Seasonal & Perennial): Whether it’s spring pollen or year-round dust mites causing sneezing, itchy eyes, and congestion, we use precise testing (like skin prick tests) to identify your triggers and create a plan involving avoidance, medication, and potentially immunotherapy (shots or sublingual tablets) for long-term relief.
• Food Allergies: These can be frightening. We specialize in accurate diagnosis through history, skin tests, blood tests, and sometimes carefully monitored oral food challenges. Management involves strict avoidance education, emergency preparedness (including EpiPen training), and staying informed about emerging therapies. Check out our complete guide to managing food allergies.
• Drug, Insect Sting, and Contact Allergies: We help evaluate potential drug allergies, sometimes using challenge tests or desensitization protocols. For insect sting allergies, venom immunotherapy can be life-saving. For contact dermatitis (rashes from direct contact), patch testing helps identify culprits like metals, fragrances, or preservatives.
• Asthma Management: Recognizing the strong link between allergies and asthma is key. We use tools like spirometry (lung function testing) to assess your breathing and allergy testing to identify triggers. Based on this, we create personalized Asthma Action Plans, ensuring you use medications (including inhalers and potentially biologics) correctly and know how to manage flare-ups.
• Skin Conditions (Eczema, Hives, Angioedema): We investigate the potential allergic or immune triggers behind itchy eczema rashes, sudden hives, or deeper swelling (angioedema). Treatment involves trigger avoidance, appropriate topical or oral medications, and for chronic hives, advanced therapies like biologics may be considered.
• Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders: For patients experiencing frequent, recurrent, or unusual infections, we can perform specialized testing to evaluate the immune system’s function and, if needed, coordinate treatments like immunoglobulin therapy.

Our Diagnostic Toolkit at Art of Allergy

Accurate diagnosis is the foundation of effective treatment. At AOA, we utilize a range of methods:

• Skin Prick & Intradermal Tests: Applying tiny amounts of allergens to the skin to check for immediate reactions (wheals/flares). Intradermal tests (injecting a tiny amount just under the skin) are sometimes used for increased sensitivity, particularly for venom or drug testing.
• Blood Tests (Specific IgE): Measuring allergy-related antibodies (IgE) in your blood, useful when skin testing isn’t feasible.
• Patch Testing: Applying patches with suspected contact allergens to the back for 48 hours to diagnose contact dermatitis.
• Pulmonary Function Tests (Spirometry): Measuring lung capacity and airflow to diagnose and monitor asthma.
• Challenge Tests (Food/Drug): Performed under strict medical supervision in our clinic when necessary to confirm or rule out an allergy definitively.

Personalized Treatment Plans: Our Approach at AOA

Managing allergies and immune conditions isn’t one-size-fits-all. At Art of Allergy, we partner with you to build a tailored plan:

1. Allergen Avoidance & Environmental Control: Identifying your triggers is the first step. We provide practical strategies, like using dust mite covers, installing HEPA filters, understanding food labels, or modifying your environment.
2. Medication Management: When avoidance isn’t enough, we guide you on the appropriate use of antihistamines, nasal corticosteroid sprays, asthma inhalers, topical creams, or advanced biologic therapies, ensuring effectiveness and safety.
3. Immunotherapy (Allergy Shots): For lasting relief from environmental or insect sting allergies, we offer immunotherapy. This treatment gradually retrains your immune system to tolerate allergens, reducing symptoms and medication needs over time. We offer traditional allergy shots and follow the Allergy and Immunology Board guidelines..
4. Patient Education: Empowering you with knowledge about your condition and treatment plan is central to our philosophy.

When Should You Schedule a Visit with Me?

Consider making an appointment at Art of Allergy if:

• Your allergy or asthma symptoms are persistent, recurrent, or not well-controlled with over-the-counter or current treatments.
• You’ve experienced a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).
• You suspect a food or drug allergy.
• You have multiple allergic conditions complicating your health (e.g., asthma + eczema + food allergies).
• Your symptoms significantly interfere with your daily life, work, school, or sleep.

Your First Appointment at Art of Allergy: What to Expect

Preparing for your visit helps us make the most of our time together. Please bring:

• Details about your symptoms (when they started, triggers, frequency, severity).
• A list of all medications (prescription and over-the-counter).
• Information about past allergic reactions or treatments.
• Any previous allergy test results.
• Your questions and concerns!

During the visit, I will take a thorough medical history, discuss your lifestyle and environment, and perform a relevant physical examination. Based on this, we may proceed with diagnostic testing (like skin testing or spirometry). We will then discuss the findings and collaboratively develop your initial diagnostic and treatment plan, ensuring you understand the next steps. My goal is for you to leave feeling heard, informed, and confident in our partnership.

Living Well: How Specialized Care Improves Your Life

Managing chronic conditions takes effort, but you don’t have to do it alone. Working with an allergist provides:

• Effective Long-Term Strategies: We move beyond temporary fixes to create sustainable management plans, incorporating lifestyle adjustments, appropriate medications, and potentially immunotherapy for lasting change.
• Prevention of Complications: Proactive management helps avoid serious asthma attacks, anaphylaxis, chronic sinus infections, or skin infections. Regular follow-up allows us to adjust your plan as needed.
• Improved Daily Wellbeing: Effective allergy and asthma control means fewer missed work/school days, better sleep, more energy, and the freedom to participate fully in activities you enjoy. It’s about reclaiming your quality of life.

At Art of Allergy, we are dedicated to providing compassionate, expert care that empowers you to manage your allergies and asthma effectively. If you’re struggling with symptoms, I invite you to schedule a consultation to explore how we can help you breathe easier and live more fully.