The 4 Best Allergists in Seattle, WA
Board-certified allergy & asthma specialists practicing in Seattle and Everett.
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 Washington list based on board certification, hospital and academic affiliations, and peer recognition.
Allergists in Seattle at a Glance
- Specialists listed:
- 4, all board-certified in Allergy & Immunology
- Areas covered:
- Seattle and Everett
- Practices:
- Northwest Asthma & Allergy Center, UW Medicine, Optum Care Washington (Everett Clinic)
- Local pollen season:
- Alder and birch make February and March the worst months around Puget Sound. Alder often arrives before people expect an allergy season at all. Grass peaks in May and June, and rain keeps mold counts up year-round.
Compare Seattle Allergists
| Allergist | Practice | Location | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leonard C. Altman, MD | Northwest Asthma & Allergy Center / UW Medicine | Seattle, WA | Asthma, Allergic disease, Clinical immunology research |
| Lily Li, MD | UW Medicine / Harborview Medical Center | Seattle, WA | Drug allergies, Urticaria and angioedema, Anaphylaxis |
| William T. Nguyen, MD | Northwest Asthma & Allergy Center | Seattle, WA | Asthma, Indoor and outdoor allergies, Eczema |
| Paul T. McBride, MD | Optum Care Washington (Everett Clinic) | Everett, WA | Allergic rhinitis, Asthma, Drug allergies |
- 1
Leonard C. Altman, MD
Northwest Asthma & Allergy Center / UW Medicine
Seattle, WA
Board-certified in Allergy & ImmunologyFellow of the AAAAIClinical Professor of Medicine, University of WashingtonAffiliate Professor of Oral Biology and Environmental Health, UWDr. Leonard C. Altman received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School and has been affiliated with University of Washington research programs since 1975. He joined Northwest Asthma & Allergy Center in private practice in 1984 while maintaining active participation in basic research, and serves on the board of the ASTHMA, Inc. Research Center. He holds dual academic appointments at the University of Washington School of Medicine.
Areas of focus: Asthma · Allergic disease · Clinical immunology research
Visit practice website → - 2
Lily Li, MD
UW Medicine / Harborview Medical Center
Seattle, WA
Board-certified in Allergy & ImmunologyAssistant Professor, Division of Allergy & Infectious Diseases, University of WashingtonDr. Lily Li is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Allergy & Infectious Diseases at the University of Washington and practices at Harborview Medical Center. She completed her fellowship at Brigham and Women's Hospital and her research focuses on the clinical impact of reported drug allergies on physician practice patterns and patient outcomes, including NSAIDs and immune-mediated drug allergies.
Areas of focus: Drug allergies · Urticaria and angioedema · Anaphylaxis · Food and environmental allergies · NSAID allergy
Visit practice website → - 3
William T. Nguyen, MD
Northwest Asthma & Allergy Center
Seattle, WA
Board-certified in Adult and Pediatric Allergy, Asthma & ImmunologyFellow of the AAAAIDr. William Nguyen joined Northwest Asthma & Allergy Center in 2022, bringing over 20 years of clinical experience. He trained at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and the University of Tennessee–Memphis, and was previously recognized in Dallas Magazine's 'Best of' in Allergy and Immunology. He was named a 2024 Seattle Met Top Doctor.
Areas of focus: Asthma · Indoor and outdoor allergies · Eczema · Food allergies
Visit practice website → - 4
Paul T. McBride, MD
Optum Care Washington (Everett Clinic)
Everett, WA
Board-certified in Allergy & ImmunologyBoard-certified in Internal MedicineFellow of the AAAAIDr. Paul T. McBride graduated from the University of Utah School of Medicine in 1982 and has over 40 years of experience in allergy and immunology. He practices at Optum Care Washington's Everett Clinic and is affiliated with Providence Regional Medical Center Everett and UW Medicine-Harborview Medical Center. He was named a 2025 Seattle Met Top Doctor in Allergy & Immunology.
Areas of focus: Allergic rhinitis · Asthma · Drug allergies · Immunotherapy
Visit practice website →
Allergy Season in Seattle
Alder and birch make February and March the worst months around Puget Sound. Alder often arrives before people expect an allergy season at all. Grass peaks in May and June, and rain keeps mold counts up year-round.
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 Seattle for tree, grass, and weed levels plus a 5-day forecast
- Seattle air quality for ozone and particle pollution, which make pollen symptoms worse
How We Picked These Seattle Allergists
Our editorial team reviewed allergy and immunology specialists practicing across the Puget Sound area 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 Seattle?
Our editors picked 4 board-certified allergist-immunologists practicing in the Puget Sound area: Leonard C. Altman, MD at Northwest Asthma & Allergy Center / UW Medicine in Seattle; Lily Li, MD at UW Medicine / Harborview Medical Center in Seattle; William T. Nguyen, MD at Northwest Asthma & Allergy Center in Seattle; Paul T. McBride, MD at Optum Care Washington (Everett Clinic) in Everett. All are board-certified in Allergy & Immunology.
When is allergy season in Seattle?
Alder and birch make February and March the worst months around Puget Sound. Alder often arrives before people expect an allergy season at all. Grass peaks in May and June, and rain keeps mold counts up year-round.
See today's pollen count in Seattle →Do I need a referral to see an allergist in Seattle?
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 Seattle?
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 Seattle pollen levels to match your flare dates →Are these Seattle 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 Seattle pollen levels today
- See all Washington allergists
- Read our allergy guides on symptoms, seasons, and relief