Many doctors treat allergies, including pediatricians and general practice doctors. When allergies are severe, primary care physicians often refer their patients to an allergist who can perform allergy testing. A peanut allergy diagnosis can confirm that the child is truly allergic to peanuts.
Allergists and Immunologists
An allergist or immunologist is a doctor who is trained to work with all types of allergies and immune system problems, including food allergies, environmental allergies, and others. Before treatment begins, the allergist usually does allergy testing with skin tests or blood tests. If a person has a food allergy to peanuts, one of the goals of the allergist is to prevent anaphylaxis, a very serious allergic reaction that can be life-threatening.
Prevention and rehabilitation
An allergist or immunologist will know the latest ways of treating peanut allergies and how to prevent allergic reactions. They provide peanut allergy treatment for children and adults who have been diagnosed as having a peanut allergy. The allergist forms a treatment plan for the patient and often refers the person to a nutritionist who advises parents of the substitute foods that their child can safely eat.
Dermatologists
A dermatologist is a doctor who specializes in diseases and problems of the skin, hair, and nails. This type of doctor often treats skin allergies that may result from an allergy to peanuts, eggs, soy, milk, or other food allergies. If the allergic person develops hives, a rash or eczema, the dermatologist often prescribes medication for the skin.
Otolaryngologists
An otolaryngologist is a doctor who treats problems with the ears, nose, and throat. People with allergies that affect their sinuses and respiratory system often see this type of doctor. Besides treating environmental allergies to dust, dust mites, hay fever, and others, they may treat a person who is allergic to peanuts if this person has asthma that is aggravated by the peanut allergy. Otolaryngologists sometimes perform skin allergy testing or a blood test to determine what is causing the respiratory problems.