Allergists in Chattanooga
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June 15, 2026
Allergists, also called allergists-immunologists, are physicians who hold an M.D. or D.O., complete a residency in internal medicine or pediatrics, and then finish a fellowship in allergy and immunology before becoming board certified by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology. Unlike a general primary-care visit for occasional symptoms, a Chattanooga allergy practice offers in-house diagnostic testing, a dedicated immunotherapy program, and ongoing management of chronic conditions by a specialist who treats allergic and immune disease every day. For patients dealing with year-round or seasonal symptoms, that continuity of specialized care can be a significant advantage.
Chattanooga sits in southeastern Tennessee at the Georgia line, with a population of roughly 185,783 as of 2024 (U.S. Census Bureau), nestled in the Tennessee River valley among ridges and mountains. The valley geography and the region’s humid climate contribute to a long pollen season and elevated mold counts, and the surrounding tri-state area of Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama draws patients to the city’s specialists. Allergists in Chattanooga diagnose and treat allergic rhinitis (hay fever), asthma, eczema and hives (urticaria), chronic sinus disease, food and drug allergies, and immune system disorders.
Physicians who practice medicine in Tennessee are licensed by the state under the Tennessee Department of Health: medical doctors through the Board of Medical Examiners and osteopathic physicians through the Board of Osteopathic Examination. Board certification in allergy and immunology is a separate, voluntary credential awarded by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology, a conjoint board of the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Pediatrics. Consumers can verify that a physician holds an active, unrestricted Tennessee license, and review any disciplinary history, through the Department of Health license verification portal at tn.gov. Because Chattanooga draws patients from North Georgia, some physicians also hold a Georgia license, which the Georgia Composite Medical Board can confirm.
The diagnostic and treatment tools an allergist uses include allergy skin testing (skin prick and intradermal) and blood testing to identify specific triggers, allergy shots known as subcutaneous immunotherapy, sublingual immunotherapy, and oral immunotherapy for certain food allergies, along with biologic medications for moderate to severe asthma, chronic hives, and related conditions. Patients can confirm appointment policies, insurance participation, and whether a referral is required directly with each practice. For complaints about billing or business practices, the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs administers the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104), while clinical or licensing concerns about a physician are handled by the Tennessee Department of Health. This article is informational and is not medical advice; decisions about diagnosis and treatment should be made with a licensed physician.
Top Allergists Providers in Chattanooga
1. Chattanooga Allergy Clinic
Address: 6734 Lee Highway, Chattanooga, TN 37421
Phone: (423) 899-0431
Website: https://www.chattanoogaallergyclinic.com
Services: allergy skin testing, immunotherapy (allergy shots), asthma care, food allergy treatment, drug allergy, chronic sinus disease, eczema and skin conditions, biologic therapy, immunodeficiency care, pediatric and adult allergy
Description: Chattanooga Allergy Clinic was founded in 1975 and has grown into one of the region’s largest allergy and immunology practices, with eight locations serving Chattanooga and North Georgia, including a Lee Highway office and a downtown office at 325 Market Street. The clinic’s physicians are board certified in allergy and immunology and include Marc Cromie, M.D., who is also board certified in pediatrics and completed an allergy and immunology fellowship at the Medical College of Georgia, along with Todd Levin, M.D., Lee Perry, M.D., Jennifer Patel, M.D., and Jessica Van Mason, M.D.; the practice was founded by Hyman Kaplan, M.D. The clinic provides allergy testing, immunotherapy, asthma care, food and drug allergy treatment, sinus and skin condition management, biologic therapies, and immunodeficiency care for patients of all ages.
2. The Allergy & Asthma Group of Galen
Address: 1720 Gunbarrel Road, Suite 400, Chattanooga, TN 37421
Phone: (423) 499-4100
Website: https://www.getreliefhere.com
Services: allergy testing, immunotherapy (allergy shots), asthma diagnosis and treatment, food allergy, drug allergy, sinus care, pediatric and adult allergy and immunology
Description: The Allergy & Asthma Group of Galen is the allergy and immunology division of Galen Medical Group, with its Chattanooga office on Gunbarrel Road and additional offices in Hixson and Cleveland, Tennessee, and Dalton, Georgia. Its physicians are board-certified allergists, including Michael C. Hollie, M.D., who earned his medical degree from Loma Linda University School of Medicine and completed his allergy, asthma, and immunology training at the National Jewish Center for Immunology and Respiratory Medicine in Denver and is certified by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology, along with Taylor Atchley, M.D., Curt Chaffin, M.D., and Linda J. Kim, M.D. The group emphasizes identifying and treating the underlying disease rather than only managing symptoms, and provides allergy testing, immunotherapy, asthma care, and food and drug allergy evaluation for patients of all ages.
3. Family Allergy & Asthma
Address: 1350 Mackey Branch Drive, Suite 114, Chattanooga, TN 37421
Phone: (423) 468-3267
Website: https://familyallergy.com/locations/chattanooga-tn/
Services: allergy skin testing, immunotherapy (allergy shots, tablets, and drops), pulmonary function testing, asthma treatment and management, food allergy challenges, stinging insect testing, pediatric and adult allergy
Description: Family Allergy & Asthma operates a Chattanooga office on Mackey Branch Drive and is part of a larger network of allergy and asthma specialists across the region. The Chattanooga practice is led by Susan Raschal, D.O., a board-certified allergist who specializes in adult, adolescent, and pediatric allergy, asthma, and clinical immunology. The office provides allergy skin testing, immunotherapy through shots, tablets, and drops, pulmonary function testing, asthma treatment, food allergy challenges, and stinging insect testing. The practice positions skin testing as a primary diagnostic step and builds customized treatment plans for patients of all ages.
Frequently Asked Questions About Allergists in Chattanooga
Q: What is the difference between an allergist and a regular doctor?
An allergist is a physician (M.D. or D.O.) who completed a residency in internal medicine or pediatrics and then a fellowship in allergy and immunology, and who is typically board certified by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology. A primary-care physician can manage occasional or mild symptoms, but an allergist offers specialized diagnostic testing, immunotherapy programs, and ongoing management of chronic allergic and immune conditions such as asthma, food allergy, and recurrent sinus disease.
Q: How do I verify that a Chattanooga allergist is licensed?
All physicians practicing in Tennessee must hold an active license issued by the Tennessee Department of Health, through the Board of Medical Examiners for M.D.s or the Board of Osteopathic Examination for D.O.s. You can confirm a physician’s license status and review any disciplinary history through the Department of Health license verification portal at tn.gov. Because some Chattanooga-area physicians also treat patients from North Georgia, the Georgia Composite Medical Board can verify Georgia licensure. Board certification in allergy and immunology can be confirmed through the American Board of Allergy and Immunology.
Q: What conditions do allergists in Chattanooga treat?
Allergists diagnose and treat allergic rhinitis (hay fever), asthma, eczema, hives (urticaria), chronic sinus disease, food allergies, drug allergies, insect sting allergies, immunodeficiency, and other immune system disorders. The Tennessee River valley’s humid climate, long pollen season, and elevated mold counts make seasonal allergies, asthma, and sinus conditions especially common reasons for a visit.
Q: Do I need a referral to see an allergist in Chattanooga?
Whether a referral is required depends on your health insurance plan rather than on state law. Some plans require a referral from a primary-care physician before they will cover a specialist visit, while others allow self-referral. Several Chattanooga allergy practices accept patients without a referral, but it is best to confirm both the referral policy and insurance participation with the specific practice before scheduling.
Q: What does allergy testing and immunotherapy involve?
Allergy testing usually starts with skin prick or intradermal testing, and sometimes blood testing, to identify specific triggers. If immunotherapy is recommended, treatment may take the form of subcutaneous immunotherapy (allergy shots) given on a schedule over a period of years, sublingual immunotherapy delivered as tablets or drops, or oral immunotherapy for certain food allergies. The goal is to reduce the body’s sensitivity to identified allergens over time. A licensed allergist determines which approach is appropriate for each patient.
Q: How do I file a complaint about an allergy practice in Chattanooga?
Concerns about a physician’s clinical care or licensing should be directed to the Tennessee Department of Health, which oversees the Board of Medical Examiners and the Board of Osteopathic Examination. Complaints about billing, advertising, or other business practices can be filed with the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs, which administers the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104). Keeping records of appointments, invoices, and communications helps support any complaint.