A recent survey conducted by the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) found that only 21% of Americans realize that allergists are the best doctors for treating allergies and only 38% recognize allergies as a serious condition that can be life-threatening. The survey, conducted online in January 2011, consisted of 1,020 Americans (503 men and 517 women) and was a representative sample size of adults over 18.
While only 21% of Americans correctly identified allergists as the type of doctors who should be seen for optimal treatment of allergies, 29% named a general practitioner, family doctor or internist, and another 29% said they did not know. Participants with allergies didn’t do much better; only 23% of those with allergies named an allergist as the appropriate specialist to treat their condition.
Women were more likely to recognize allergies as a serious condition that could cause death than men – nearly half of women compared to only 30% of men. Also, those with allergies were less likely to recognize their condition as serious than those without. One quarter of those suffering from allergies thought that allergies were not serious, though they can make you miserable compared to only 19% of those without allergies.
“Allergies can make you miserable and sufferers need to know that allergists are the best trained specialists to treat anyone with allergic conditions,” said Stanley Fineman, M.D., president-elect of the ACAAI. “Allergists conduct appropriate testing to identify what’s triggering the allergy, its severity, and the best treatment plan. No one needs to suffer. We can help all patients find relief.”
Approximately 50 million people in the United States suffer from allergies, according to the ACAAI. To find an allergist and to improve your allergy knowledge, visit AllergyAndAsthmaRelief.org.
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