The 3 Best Allergists in Des Moines, IA
Board-certified allergy & asthma specialists practicing in West Des Moines.
If over-the-counter antihistamines stopped working, or your symptoms run for months instead of weeks, a board-certified allergist-immunologist can test what you actually react to and treat the cause. That includes immunotherapy, which lowers your sensitivity over three to five years. Our editors picked the 3 specialists below from the wider Iowa list based on board certification, hospital and academic affiliations, and peer recognition.
Allergists in Des Moines at a Glance
- Specialists listed:
- 3, all board-certified in Allergy & Immunology
- Areas covered:
- West Des Moines
- Practices:
- Iowa Allergy Clinic, The Iowa Clinic, Allergy Institute P.C.
- Local pollen season:
- Cedar and elm start in March, oak and maple peak in late April, and grass runs through June. Ragweed is the hard one across central Iowa, from mid-August to the first freeze in mid-October.
Compare Des Moines Allergists
| Allergist | Practice | Location | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vuong Nayima, DO | Iowa Allergy Clinic | West Des Moines, IA | Pediatric and adult allergy, Asthma, Immunological disorders |
| Jennifer R. Petts, DO, FAAAAI | The Iowa Clinic | West Des Moines, IA | Food allergy, Anaphylaxis, Drug allergy |
| Fadi Alkhatib, DO | Allergy Institute P.C. | West Des Moines, IA | Difficult-to-treat asthma, Food allergy, Allergic rhinitis |
- 1
Vuong Nayima, DO
Iowa Allergy Clinic
West Des Moines, IA
Board-certified in Allergy & ImmunologyBoard-certified in Internal MedicineAdjunct Faculty, University of Iowa Hospitals & ClinicsAdjunct Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine, Des Moines UniversityDr. Nayima completed his Allergy/Immunology fellowship at the University of Alabama-Birmingham in 2016 and founded Iowa Allergy in 2018, building the practice into a leading multi-location clinic serving West Des Moines and Ankeny. He holds dual academic appointments at the University of Iowa and Des Moines University.
Areas of focus: Pediatric and adult allergy · Asthma · Immunological disorders · Evidence-based immunotherapy
Visit practice website → - 2
Jennifer R. Petts, DO, FAAAAI
The Iowa Clinic
West Des Moines, IA
Board-certified in Allergy & ImmunologyFellow of the AAAAIDr. Petts completed both her internal medicine residency (2009–2012) and allergy/immunology fellowship (2012–2014) at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and she is a Fellow of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. She practices across multiple Iowa Clinic locations including West Des Moines, Ankeny, and Iowa City.
Areas of focus: Food allergy · Anaphylaxis · Drug allergy · Urticaria · Asthma · Immunodeficiency
Visit practice website → - 3
Fadi Alkhatib, DO
Allergy Institute P.C.
West Des Moines, IA
Board-certified in Allergy & Immunology (American Osteopathic Association)Board-certified in Internal Medicine (American Board of Internal Medicine and American Osteopathic Association)Dr. Alkhatib attended Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine with honors in immunology and completed his allergy/immunology fellowship at Larkin Community Hospital in South Miami, where he served as chief fellow. He practices at Allergy Institute P.C. with offices in West Des Moines and Ankeny, focusing on patients of all ages.
Areas of focus: Difficult-to-treat asthma · Food allergy · Allergic rhinitis · Pediatric and adult allergy
Visit practice website →
Allergy Season in Des Moines
Cedar and elm start in March, oak and maple peak in late April, and grass runs through June. Ragweed is the hard one across central Iowa, from mid-August to the first freeze in mid-October.
Bring dates to your appointment. An allergist can narrow the list of suspects much faster when you can say “this started the second week of April” and match it against what was actually in the air.
- Today's pollen count in Des Moines for tree, grass, and weed levels plus a 5-day forecast
- Des Moines air quality for ozone and particle pollution, which make pollen symptoms worse
How We Picked These Des Moines Allergists
Our editorial team reviewed allergy and immunology specialists practicing across central Iowa and selected these 3 on:
- Board certification in Allergy & Immunology (ABAI)
- Hospital and academic affiliations with respected medical centers
- Peer recognition, including Top Doctor awards and professional society roles
- Practice reputation and years treating allergy and asthma patients
- Coverage across the metro, so the list is not all one hospital system
These listings are editorial picks, not paid placements or medical endorsements, and we have no financial relationship with any provider listed. Availability, insurance participation, and credentials change. Verify directly with the practice before booking. This page is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the best allergists in Des Moines?
Our editors picked 3 board-certified allergist-immunologists practicing in central Iowa: Vuong Nayima, DO at Iowa Allergy Clinic in West Des Moines; Jennifer R. Petts, DO, FAAAAI at The Iowa Clinic in West Des Moines; Fadi Alkhatib, DO at Allergy Institute P.C. in West Des Moines. All are board-certified in Allergy & Immunology.
When is allergy season in Des Moines?
Cedar and elm start in March, oak and maple peak in late April, and grass runs through June. Ragweed is the hard one across central Iowa, from mid-August to the first freeze in mid-October.
See today's pollen count in Des Moines →Do I need a referral to see an allergist in Des Moines?
That depends on your insurance plan, not your city. Most PPO plans let you book straight with an allergist. HMO plans usually want a referral from your primary care doctor first. Call the practice or your insurer before you book.
How much does an allergist visit cost in Des Moines?
A first visit with a specialist typically runs $150 to $300 without insurance, and skin testing for a panel of environmental allergens usually adds $200 to $1,000 depending on how many allergens are tested. With insurance you pay your specialist copay, though testing is often billed separately. Ask the office for a cost estimate and their billing codes when you book.
What should I bring to my first allergist appointment?
Bring a list of your symptoms and the dates they flared, every medication you take including over-the-counter ones, your insurance card, and any past test results. Stop antihistamines 5 to 7 days before skin testing, since they can blunt the results. Confirm the exact timing with the office.
Check Des Moines pollen levels to match your flare dates →Are these Des Moines allergists accepting new patients?
That changes month to month, so call the practice to check. These are editorial picks, not paid placements, and we have no financial relationship with any provider listed. Verify current credentials, availability, and insurance participation directly with the office before you book.
Allergists in Nearby Cities
Before You Call
Start a symptom log this week. Note the day, what you felt, and what the pollen count was. Two or three weeks of that turns a vague “my allergies are bad” into something an allergist can work from.
- Check Des Moines pollen levels today
- See all Iowa allergists
- Read our allergy guides on symptoms, seasons, and relief