The 4 Best Allergists in Kansas City, MO
Board-certified allergy & asthma specialists practicing in Kansas City and Overland Park.
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 4 specialists below from the wider Missouri list based on board certification, hospital and academic affiliations, and peer recognition.
Allergists in Kansas City at a Glance
- Specialists listed:
- 4, all board-certified in Allergy & Immunology
- Areas covered:
- Kansas City and Overland Park
- Practices:
- The Center for Allergy & Immunology, University of Kansas Medical Center – Division of Allergy, Clinical Immunology & Rheumatology, Kansas City Allergy & Asthma Associates
- Local pollen season:
- Cedar and elm start in March, oak peaks in April, and grass runs through June. Ragweed is the hard one here: it starts around August 15 and does not quit until the first hard freeze, usually in late October.
Compare Kansas City Allergists
| Allergist | Practice | Location | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zachary D. Jacobs, MD | The Center for Allergy & Immunology | Kansas City, MO | Food allergy, Immunodeficiency, Asthma |
| Selina A. Gierer, DO | University of Kansas Medical Center – Division of Allergy, Clinical Immunology & Rheumatology | Kansas City, KS | Asthma, Allergic rhinitis, Immunodeficiency |
| Mark R. Neustrom, DO | Kansas City Allergy & Asthma Associates | Overland Park, KS | Hereditary angioedema, Eosinophilic esophagitis, Primary immunodeficiency |
| Derrick R. Ward, MD | Kansas City Allergy & Asthma Associates | Overland Park, KS | Asthma, Allergic rhinitis, Food allergy |
- 1
Zachary D. Jacobs, MD
The Center for Allergy & Immunology
Kansas City, MO
Board-certified in Allergy & ImmunologyClinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Missouri–Kansas City School of MedicineFellow of the AAAAIFellow of the ACAAIMember, Clinical Immunology SocietyFounding Member, Consortium of Independent Immunology ClinicsDr. Jacobs has practiced at The Center for Allergy & Immunology in Kansas City since 2011, serves as a clinical assistant professor at UMKC School of Medicine, and educates allergy and immunology fellows through the UMKC program. He is a founding member of the Consortium of Independent Immunology Clinics and is recognized as a specialist in oral immunotherapy and immune deficiency.
Areas of focus: Food allergy · Immunodeficiency · Asthma · Eosinophilic esophagitis · Oral immunotherapy
Visit practice website → - 2
Selina A. Gierer, DO
University of Kansas Medical Center – Division of Allergy, Clinical Immunology & Rheumatology
Kansas City, KS
Board-certified in Allergy & ImmunologyFellow of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (FAAAAI)Fellow of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (FACAAI)Dr. Gierer serves as Allergy & Immunology Fellowship Program Director at KUMC, one of the region's academic training programs for allergists. She is board-certified by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology and is a clinical co-director of the Inflammation and Immunity curriculum at the University of Kansas School of Medicine.
Areas of focus: Asthma · Allergic rhinitis · Immunodeficiency · Pediatric and adult allergy
Visit practice website → - 3
Mark R. Neustrom, DO
Kansas City Allergy & Asthma Associates
Overland Park, KS
Board-certified in Allergy & Immunology (ABAI)Board-certified in Internal MedicineFellow of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (FACAAI)Fellow of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (FAAAAI)Kansas City Allergy & Asthma Associates opened in 1979, and Dr. Neustrom joined in 1994. He is recognized as a former Castle Connolly/U.S. News Top Doctor. He has particular expertise in hereditary angioedema and food oral immunotherapy, and has been recognized by both Castle Connolly and KC Magazine as a top allergist in the region.
Areas of focus: Hereditary angioedema · Eosinophilic esophagitis · Primary immunodeficiency · Food oral immunotherapy
Visit practice website → - 4
Derrick R. Ward, MD
Kansas City Allergy & Asthma Associates
Overland Park, KS
Board-certified in Allergy & ImmunologyFellow of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (FACAAI)Dr. Ward joined Kansas City Allergy & Asthma Associates in 2009, completing his allergy and immunology fellowship at the University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Medicine. He founded a food oral immunotherapy (OIT) program at the practice and serves patients across the Overland Park, Olathe, and Lee's Summit locations.
Areas of focus: Asthma · Allergic rhinitis · Food allergy · Atopic dermatitis · Food oral immunotherapy
Visit practice website →
Allergy Season in Kansas City
Cedar and elm start in March, oak peaks in April, and grass runs through June. Ragweed is the hard one here: it starts around August 15 and does not quit until the first hard freeze, usually in late 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 Kansas City for tree, grass, and weed levels plus a 5-day forecast
- Kansas City air quality for ozone and particle pollution, which make pollen symptoms worse
How We Picked These Kansas City Allergists
Our editorial team reviewed allergy and immunology specialists practicing across the Kansas City metro and selected these 4 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 Kansas City?
Our editors picked 4 board-certified allergist-immunologists practicing in the Kansas City metro: Zachary D. Jacobs, MD at The Center for Allergy & Immunology in Kansas City; Selina A. Gierer, DO at University of Kansas Medical Center – Division of Allergy, Clinical Immunology & Rheumatology in Kansas City; Mark R. Neustrom, DO at Kansas City Allergy & Asthma Associates in Overland Park; Derrick R. Ward, MD at Kansas City Allergy & Asthma Associates in Overland Park. All are board-certified in Allergy & Immunology.
When is allergy season in Kansas City?
Cedar and elm start in March, oak peaks in April, and grass runs through June. Ragweed is the hard one here: it starts around August 15 and does not quit until the first hard freeze, usually in late October.
See today's pollen count in Kansas City →Do I need a referral to see an allergist in Kansas City?
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 Kansas City?
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 Kansas City pollen levels to match your flare dates →Are these Kansas City 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 Kansas City pollen levels today
- See all Missouri allergists
- Read our allergy guides on symptoms, seasons, and relief