The 3 Best Allergists in Charlottesville, VA
Board-certified allergy & asthma specialists practicing in Charlottesville.
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 Virginia list based on board certification, hospital and academic affiliations, and peer recognition.
Allergists in Charlottesville at a Glance
- Specialists listed:
- 3, all board-certified in Allergy & Immunology
- Areas covered:
- Charlottesville
- Practices:
- UVA Division of Asthma, Allergy & Immunology
- Local pollen season:
- Central Virginia gets a long spring: oak, maple, and hickory from late March through April, grass in May and June, and ragweed from mid-August into October. The Blue Ridge foothills hold pollen in the valleys on still mornings.
Compare Charlottesville Allergists
| Allergist | Practice | Location | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Larry Borish, MD | UVA Division of Asthma, Allergy & Immunology | Charlottesville, VA | Severe asthma, Chronic sinusitis, Immune deficiency |
| Michael R. Nelson, MD, PhD | UVA Division of Asthma, Allergy & Immunology | Charlottesville, VA | Allergen immunotherapy, Allergic rhinitis, Asthma |
| Emily C. McGowan, MD, PhD | UVA Division of Asthma, Allergy & Immunology | Charlottesville, VA | Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), Eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders, Hypereosinophilic syndrome |
- 1
Larry Borish, MD
UVA Division of Asthma, Allergy & Immunology
Charlottesville, VA
Board-certified in Allergy & ImmunologyProfessor of Medicine, University of VirginiaFellow of the AAAAIDr. Larry Borish is a Professor of Medicine at the University of Virginia and has been named a Best Doctor in America in Allergy/Immunology continuously since 2005. He trained at Harvard and Boston University and leads UVA's Severe Asthma Clinic, seeing patients from across western Virginia and beyond who have failed conventional therapies. He holds joint appointments in the Asthma and Allergic Diseases Center, Microbiology, and the Carter Immunology Center.
Areas of focus: Severe asthma · Chronic sinusitis · Immune deficiency
Visit practice website → - 2
Michael R. Nelson, MD, PhD
UVA Division of Asthma, Allergy & Immunology
Charlottesville, VA
Board-certified in Allergy & ImmunologyProfessor of Medicine, University of VirginiaChief, Division of Asthma, Allergy & ImmunologyPresident and CEO, American Board of Allergy and ImmunologyDr. Michael R. Nelson joined UVA as Division Chief in 2020 after 25 years of decorated service in the U.S. Army medical corps, including roles at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. He is a nationally recognized expert in allergen immunotherapy and individual extract preparation, and currently serves as President and CEO of the American Board of Allergy and Immunology.
Areas of focus: Allergen immunotherapy · Allergic rhinitis · Asthma · Vaccine health
Visit practice website → - 3
Emily C. McGowan, MD, PhD
UVA Division of Asthma, Allergy & Immunology
Charlottesville, VA
Board-certified in Allergy & ImmunologyBoard-certified by the American Board of Internal MedicineAssociate Professor, University of VirginiaFellow of the AAAAIDr. Emily C. McGowan is an Associate Professor in UVA's Division of Asthma, Allergy & Immunology with fellowship training from Johns Hopkins and a PhD in clinical investigation from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She founded the UVA EoE Cohort Study in 2017, which follows over 300 patients, and has received NIH/NIAID funding for her research into eosinophilic gastrointestinal disease epidemiology and disparities.
Areas of focus: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) · Eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders · Hypereosinophilic syndrome
Visit practice website →
Allergy Season in Charlottesville
Central Virginia gets a long spring: oak, maple, and hickory from late March through April, grass in May and June, and ragweed from mid-August into October. The Blue Ridge foothills hold pollen in the valleys on still mornings.
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 Charlottesville for tree, grass, and weed levels plus a 5-day forecast
- Charlottesville air quality for ozone and particle pollution, which make pollen symptoms worse
How We Picked These Charlottesville Allergists
Our editorial team reviewed allergy and immunology specialists practicing across central Virginia 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 Charlottesville?
Our editors picked 3 board-certified allergist-immunologists practicing in central Virginia: Larry Borish, MD at UVA Division of Asthma, Allergy & Immunology in Charlottesville; Michael R. Nelson, MD, PhD at UVA Division of Asthma, Allergy & Immunology in Charlottesville; Emily C. McGowan, MD, PhD at UVA Division of Asthma, Allergy & Immunology in Charlottesville. All are board-certified in Allergy & Immunology.
When is allergy season in Charlottesville?
Central Virginia gets a long spring: oak, maple, and hickory from late March through April, grass in May and June, and ragweed from mid-August into October. The Blue Ridge foothills hold pollen in the valleys on still mornings.
See today's pollen count in Charlottesville →Do I need a referral to see an allergist in Charlottesville?
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 Charlottesville?
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 Charlottesville pollen levels to match your flare dates →Are these Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville pollen levels today
- See all Virginia allergists
- Read our allergy guides on symptoms, seasons, and relief