Two specialties, one connected approach
Allergy and immunology specialists and pulmonologists often care for the same conditions — especially when symptoms overlap the immune system and the lungs. Our teams work together to identify the underlying cause of symptoms and to develop a treatment plan that fits each patient’s needs.
Care is available for children, teens and adults.*
*Availability varies by provider and location.
Choosing the right specialist for your care
When to see an allergy & immunology specialist
- Seasonal or environmental allergies
- Food or medication reactions
- Eczema, hives or swelling
- Recurrent infections
- Allergy‑triggered asthma
When to see a pulmonologist
- Chronic cough (lasting 8+ weeks)
- Shortness of breath or wheezing
- COPD, chronic bronchitis or emphysema
- Lung infections
- Asthma not linked to allergies
When you may need both
- Asthma with multiple triggers
- Chronic cough with mixed causes
- Allergy and breathing symptoms together
- Immune‑related lung concerns
Providing a full range of lung, allergy and immune care
Our allergy and immunology specialists diagnose and treat conditions caused by an overactive or underactive immune system. Care includes support for environmental allergies, allergic skin conditions, food allergies, immune deficiencies and complex immune-related diseases.
We care for
- Allergic asthma
- Asthma triggered by allergens
- Mild to moderate asthma
Advanced asthma care
- Difficult to manage asthma
- Asthma not controlled by medications
- Symptoms affecting daily activity
Asthma care is provided by both allergy/immunology and pulmonary specialists. Your care team will help determine which specialty is right for you based on your symptoms, triggers and lung function. Care focuses on identifying triggers, improving control and preventing flareups.
Conditions we treat include
- Environmental allergies
- Eczema, hives, swelling
- Food and medication allergies*
*Service availability varies by provider and location.
Additional conditions
- Immune deficiencies
- Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE)
- Recurrent or unexplained anaphylaxis
Pulmonologists diagnose and manage conditions that affect the lungs, airways and breathing. Our teams care for chronic and complex lung diseases and work closely with allergy and immunology providers when symptoms overlap. Treatment focuses on improving breathing and long-term lung health.
Conditions we treat
- COPD
- Chronic bronchitis
- Emphysema
Services may include
- Pulmonary function testing
- Pulmonary rehabilitation
- Chronic lung disease management
- Coordinated specialty care
Children and teens may experience allergic, immune-related or breathing conditions that require specialized evaluation and treatment. Our pediatric specialists provide age- appropriate care for allergies, asthma, eczema, recurrent infections and symptoms that affect breathing or daily activities.
Pediatric care may include
- Allergy evaluation
- Care for eczema and hives
- Food allergy assessment
Additional pediatric services
- Pediatric asthma management
- Immune deficiency evaluation
- Support for chronic cough
Diagnostic testing helps your care team understand the cause of symptoms and guide your treatment plan. Based on your medical history and type of symptoms, providers may recommend allergy testing, lung function evaluation, immune system testing or other specialized assessments.
Testing may include
- Skin testing
- Patch testing
- Blood testing
Additional evaluation
- Immune system evaluation
- Testing for hives or swelling
- Rhinoscopy*
*Not all providers offer every diagnostic service.
Treatment plans are personalized based on your symptoms, triggers and medical history. Options may include medications, immunotherapy, specialty injections or infusion therapies for immune deficiencies. Your care team will work with you to create a plan that supports long-term symptom control.
Treatment options include
- Allergy nasal sprays
- Antihistamines
- Topical skin treatments
Additional therapies
- Injectable medications
- Infusion therapies
- Immunotherapy for allergies*
*Availability varies by provider and location.
Lung health FAQ
Our doctors and care teams are here to help you with your specific lung, allergy and asthma needs. We evaluate and treat the following conditions:
- Arterial blood gas analysis (ABGs), a special blood test
- Asthma (general asthma or asthma caused by exercise or triggers in the workplace)
- COPD
- Eczema
- Food and allergy testing, to find out what you’re allergic to
- Hay fever (seasonal allergies)
- Hypoxemia, a problem with low oxygen in the blood
- Long-term coughs
- Lung cancer
- Pediatric allergies and pulmonology
- Pneumonia (lung infection)
- Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)
- Pulmonary tests, to see how well your lungs work
- Routine lab tests
- Shots
- Sleep problems, like sleep apnea
- Tuberculosis
- Various lung diseases, and more
Ask your care team what care and services are available in your area.
Pulmonary care focuses on the lungs. The lungs are organs that help us breathe. Our lungs play an important role in helping our bodies work. Optum pulmonologists specialize in lung care.
We also offer pulmonary rehabilitation to help people with chronic (long-term) lung disease breathe easier and improve quality of life.
The immune system helps the body fight illness. Allergies are caused by too much sensitivity of the immune system. This is called hypersensitivity.
You can have hypersensitivity to something in the space where you live that doesn’t cause problems for most people. You can be allergic to:
- Animals
- Dust
- Foods
- Metals
- Pollen
- Other substances
It helps to stay away from your allergy triggers. Optum doctors also offer many types of care to help with allergies, including:
- Allergy drops and other kinds of medicine
- Shots
Your doctor will take the time to get to know you to find the right care plan for you.
Asthma symptoms can vary from person to person, but here are some common signs to look for:
- Chest tightness or pain
- Coughing after physical activity
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
If you suspect you have asthma, it’s important to talk with one of our specialists so they can do tests to find out if you have it.
Our specialists will create a care plan that works for your needs. Your asthma care plan may include:
- Inhaler
- Specialized medicine, like corticosteroids or bronchodilators
- Tips on healthy living, including exercise
COPD is a serious lung disease where airflow from the lungs is blocked.
The 3 common causes of COPD are:
- Smoking
- Air quality in the area you live
- Genetics — the science that looks at traits you inherit or get from your parents at birth, like eye color
Common COPD symptoms include:
- Chest tightness
- Long-term cough
- Lung infections that keep coming back
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
We can help you get the right care for your COPD, which may include:
- Lifestyle changes, such as weight loss or quitting smoking
- Medicine
- Oxygen therapy
- Pulmonary rehabilitation — a specialized program that involves exercise and learning new ways to breath and eat healthy
- Surgery
- Lung transplant
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