What Is an Asthma Doctor Called?

An asthma doctor is a doctor who treats the inflammation of the airways that causes wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness. Also called allergists, asthma doctors can be many different kinds of doctors, but special training and certification sets them apart.

Many types of doctors

• General practitioners, internists, pediatricians and pulmonologists all have the ability to treat asthma. Allergists are those physicians (GPs, internists, pediatricians or pulmonologists) who receive special training, education and certification in asthma.

Special training

• After completing a four-year college degree and four years of medical school, asthma doctors undertake a one-year internship and three years of an internal medicine residency. A post-residency fellowship in allergy or immunology, and occasionally a focus on pulmonary or critical care medicine, follows. This training gives them advanced knowledge in the immune system and how the airways work.

Certification sets allergists apart

• Asthma doctors receive board certification by taking a special examination in allergy and immunology. Because of their training, they can also take examinations to receive board certification in general internal medicine or pulmonary medicine, in addition to the certification in allergy and immunology.

Practice settings

• Asthma doctors practice medicine in large and small community hospitals, teaching hospitals and freestanding private physician practices. Occasionally freestanding allergy and asthma centers will employ multiple asthma doctors in one practice setting.

Find an allergist

• Finding an allergist is easy. Use resources developed by the American Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology or the American College of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology to find an allergist near you.