Your allergist in Iowa City

Welcome to the klarify Find a Doctor service. This is a tool to fast-track your search for expert advice about allergy in Iowa City. Learn how to choose the right allergist for you and read tips on preparing for your first appointment.

If you need an allergist with an office somewhere else, we can help with that too. Replace Iowa City in the search box with your location.

Is Iowa City good or bad for allergies?

It depends on what you’re allergic to. Every place has its own allergy profile down to the climate, flora and fauna, air quality, and more. Tree pollen allergies usually start early in the year. Grass pollen allergies take over in late spring and summer. And ragweed dominates the autumn. Dust mite allergy is an indoor allergy and sends people to the allergist all year round.

Is every allergist in Iowa City on this list?

We can’t promise that. The allergists in our Find a Doctor tool are specialists in diagnosing allergy and managing it, including with allergy immunotherapy. This is a treatment that can stop allergy symptoms or greatly reduce them and bring lasting relief. Think of your search results as a good place to begin the search for an allergist in Iowa City.

Narrow your search: Allergist Iowa City and…

Let our search filter, map and doctor listings do some of the legwork for you. You can decide how near your home you want your allergist to be; within 10, 25, 50 or 75 miles. There are directions to each allergy clinic, as well as their phone number and website. Why not try out the journey before booking your first appointment. You could be seeing your allergist in Iowa City over a period of months or even years. The logistics need to work for you.

You may prefer not to go to the allergy clinic for every consultation. Check the telehealth box to have that option. You’ll be able to click through from the filtered listings to book a video call with an allergy doctor.

Sometimes an allergy specialist in Iowa City has interests or experience in other health areas. For example, allergists are qualified to treat both adults and children. But maybe you'd like to find a pediatric allergist for your child. That’s in our filter too.

What conditions can an allergist treat?

Allergy can cause different conditions and symptoms which can sometimes be chronic.

• Allergic rhinitis A runny and/or blocked nose, plus sneezing. Seasonal allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, is linked to outdoor allergens such as pollen. Perennial allergic rhinitis means symptoms can be year-round and caused by indoor allergens such as dust mites.
• Allergic conjunctivitis: Irritation inside your eyelids and on the surface of the eyes making them itchy, burning, red and watery.
• Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis: Sneezing, and a blocked and runny nose, plus itchy, burning, red and watery eyes.
• Lower respiratory symptoms: cough, shortness of breath, tight chest and wheezing
• Atopic dermatitis: Chronic or recurring condition also known as eczema where the skin becomes itchy, dry, cracked and sore
• Skin reactions: Hives (urticaria), swelling (angioedema) or itchiness
• Gut reactions (food allergies): Nausea, vomiting, bloating and diarrhea

Some allergies can also cause a life-threatening allergic reaction. In that case your doctor may suggest you carry an adrenaline auto-injector.

When should I go see an allergist?

There are two main reasons to find an allergy clinic. Here they are:

To get a diagnosis

You want to find out what could be causing your symptoms and think it might be allergy. In which case allergy testing may be the first step. Allergy doctors need to know everything about your symptoms: when and where you get them, how bad they are, how long they last and what you think might be the trigger. Consider keeping an allergy diary. You can also track how you feel with our pollen app.

Your medical history is important too. Bring any relevant medical records and a list of your current medications. The physician will also ask if allergy runs in the family. All this helps them make a diagnosis and come up with a treatment plan.

To manage your allergy better

You’ve had a diagnosis but your allergy isn't really under control (maybe you've tried the online symptom checker?)

Allergies could be affecting your performance at work or school. You might have had to give up some activities. Symptoms may even be making you frustrated or anxious. These can all be signals to get expert care and treatment.

How can an allergist treat my allergy?

Allergists are experts at giving patients strategies for avoiding triggers and minimizing symptoms. And they can also prescribe stronger symptomatic meds like antihistamines and corticosteroids than you can buy at the pharmacy.

Or they might recommend allergy immunotherapy. This treatment aims to reduce your allergy symptoms long term. It trains your immune system not to see your trigger as a threat anymore.

6 questions you could ask your allergist

You could also use your allergy diary to jot down points to discuss with the allergist. For instance:

• What allergy tests will you do to make a diagnosis?
• What allergy treatment options do you suggest?
• What’s the long-term outlook for my allergies?
• Are there things I can do for myself to improve my condition?
• How will having allergies affect different areas of my life: my exercise routine, travel plans, work environment, food shopping, pets, and so on?
• What should I do to manage allergy alongside other health issues (including pregnancy if relevant)?

You could ask about having your child tested too if they’re getting symptoms. Allergy does run in the family, after all.

We’re here to help

We hope our Find a Doctor tool has been useful. If you know someone else who is looking for an allergist in Iowa City or elsewhere, why not recommend it to them. You can also share your story on our Facebook or Instagram page or send us an email and tell us what you think.