You may choose an allergist or dermatologist to help diagnose, manage, and treat eczema. Because they have similarities and differences, choosing the right healthcare professional can be a big part of managing your condition.

Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition that can cause a rash, itching, and dryness. Millions of people across the United States and the world live with it, but they don’t always get the best care from the healthcare professional they need the most.

While an allergy doesn’t always cause eczema, irritation from different chemicals, conditions, or even stressful situations can cause eczema to flare up.

This condition can be complicated to manage and treat, and it’s important to have the right type of doctor to help you in your care journey with eczema. Both a dermatologist and allergist can be on your healthcare team, though they have slightly different expertise and focuses for what they do.

Understanding what each type of doctor does is important in knowing how they can help you with eczema.

Dermatologists

  • A dermatologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating skin conditions. They must finish 4 graduate years of medical school, followed by a 1-year internship in general medicine and a residency in dermatology. The dermatology residency is usually 3 years of specialized training.
  • Dermatologists help diagnose and treat disorders of the skin, hair, and nails, including eczema. They can particularly help evaluate and treat severe eczema.
  • A dermatologist can help diagnose and treat eczema, as well as other conditions not caused by an allergen. Some dermatologists may be able to do patch testing in their clinic to help determine the possible cause of the eczema rash. Others may refer you to an allergist or to a dermatologist who specializes in allergic dermatitis.
  • A dermatologist can also help you manage symptoms of this condition. They may recommend the following things to help manage and treat your eczema:

Allergists

  • An allergist is also known as an immunologist, which is a doctor who specializes in the immune system. They diagnose and treat conditions ranging from allergies and asthma to immunodeficiencies and immunologic disorders.
  • Both allergists and dermatologists do allergy testing, but an allergist usually tests for seasonal or year-round allergens that are inhaled or injected, while a dermatologist can usually test for contact allergies that the skin comes into contact with to cause contact dermatitis.
  • Some allergists will test for both types of allergies, and they have similar training to a dermatologist. In addition to 4 years of medical school, they must complete a 2 or 3-year residency in internal medicine and then another 2 years in immunology.
  • An allergist may be able to help you identify triggers and recommend treatments to help manage your eczema.
  • Your allergist may perform a skin prick test or blood testing to help discover the allergens triggering your eczema. These tests can also help identify food, seasonal, or year-round allergies that may be contributing to your symptoms.
  • After identifying possible triggers, an allergist can prescribe medications to help manage symptoms.
  • Allergists can also offer immunotherapy, which is used to help build up the immune system’s response to allergens.

How to find each doctor

Allergist: Your primary care doctor may refer you to an allergist if they suspect allergies are a cause of your eczema. You can also find allergists in your area by using online search tools and directories.

Dermatologist: Your primary care doctor may be able to refer you to a dermatologist in your area, or you can ask your health insurance company to recommend someone in your network. You can also use various online tools to help locate specialists like dermatologists near where you live or through telemedicine services.

You may also be able to make an appointment with a nurse practitioner (NP) or physician assistant (PA) in a dermatology office, as they can diagnose eczema and write prescriptions.

Use Healthgrade’s Find Care tool to help find a dermatologist or allergist who might best help you evaluate and manage eczema.

For most people, eczema is a chronic condition that goes through periods of flare-ups and remission.

Knowing what triggers eczema symptoms can help you avoid them and make certain lifestyle changes. This might mean limiting your exposure to stress, dust, or certain laundry detergents.

Most types of eczema can be treated with prescription medication, such as a topical steroid or an oral medication. Newer drugs may also be prescribed in some cases.

Early evaluation and treatment are an important part of managing the condition.

If you have difficulty managing your eczema, seeing more than one specialist might help you manage your condition.

Both allergists and dermatologists can help diagnose and manage your eczema. You may be referred to either of these types of doctors, but either one can offer assistance in treating your condition.

If you need to find an allergist or dermatologist in your area, start by asking your primary care physician for a referral.