A certified allergy and immunology specialist is a physician who has passed the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) and/or the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) certification examination, with additional certification by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology (ABAI). The ABAI is a Conjoint Board of the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Pediatrics.

Allergy/immunology subspecialty diplomates of the ABAI are also certified primary care providers. The conjoint status of the American Board of Allergy and Immunology (parent boards are the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Pediatrics) requires that specialists be qualified treat and diagnose patients of all ages.

Specialists certified by the ABAI have detailed knowledge of the underlying pathophysiology and the method of diagnosis, treatment and prevention of allergic diseases such as:

• Allergic rhinitis


• Allergic asthma


• Urticaria


• Anaphylaxis


• Hypersensitivity pneumonitis


• Atopic and contact dermatitis


• Allergic gastrointestinal disorders.

Diplomates also have expertise in managing pulmonary complications that accompany some of these diseases.

Source: American Board of Allergy and Immunology (accessed August 2009)
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