Allergy

Allergists are expert in the diagnosis and management of allergy, which can vary from mild to life-threatening.

Allergic disease is wide ranging and includes: asthma, rhinitis, eczema, urticaria, angiodema, anaphylaxis, and food, drug, venom, latex and occupational allergy. Disorders such as asthma, eczema and food allergies are common and increasing in prevalence, especially in children. The allergist's role is to identify or exclude allergy, and provide management including pharmacotherapy, allergen avoidance, immunotherapy and self-management plans for acute severe reactions.

Other specialties such as dermatology, respiratory medicine, immunology and paediatrics provide part-time or limited allergy services in addition to their main service. However, there is a shortage of allergy specialists who can improve the prognosis for many patients: avoiding unnecessary surgery, reducing morbidity and the need for multiple referrals to other specialists.

Related RCP publications

• Allergy services: still not meeting the unmet need (2010)
• Consultant physicians working with patients, fourth edition (2008)
• Allergy: the unmet need (2003)

Specialty training

For information about specialty training in allergy, please visit the Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians Postgraduate Training Board (JRCPTB) website.

Specialist society

• British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI)

2010 Consultant Census

The RCP has completed our census of working physicians in 2010. Attached below is a breakdown of the report with results for this specialty.

Patient information

• Allergy UK (British Allergy Foundation
• Action against Allergy
• Asthma UK
• National Eczema Society
• Anaphlyaxis Campaign