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How Can I Figure Out What I am Allergic To?

Allergies are elusive, and we can’t always tell what sets us off to sneeze or scratch. For many people, identifying what they are allergic to is a crucial first step on the road toward improved health and well-being. In this article, we are going to see how you can find out what your allergies are.

Understanding allergies

Before jumping into the process of identifying allergens, it’s important to understand what exactly an allergy is. Allergies develop when the immune system overreacts to substances called allergens that are usually harmless. 

The symptoms of allergies can be anything from sneezing and itching to hives, swellings, or even difficulty in breathing, and severe cases may culminate in anaphylaxis.

Identifying the exact allergen causing these responses is key to effective treatment and prevention. You also get to tell the right allergy doctor to see. 

Common types of allergens

Allergens are substances that cause allergic reactions in susceptible individuals. Such reactions can vary from mild symptoms of sneezing or itching to severe responses, including breathing problems and anaphylaxis. Here are some of the most common allergens:

Pollen: Tree, grass, and weed pollen are all common airborne allergens. Allergic rhinitis suffered by many when pollen is in the air, which we know as hay fever.

Dust mites: These tiny insects live in house dust and stimulate allergies. They are especially prevalent in bedding, carpets, and upholstered furniture.

Mold spores: Millions of mold spores are floating around indoors and outdoors. Damp or humid places such as basements and bathrooms are favorable environments for the growth of mold. Allergy to mold spores may result from inhaling.

Pet dander: Allergens are proteins found in the skin, saliva, and urine of animals like cats, dogs, or rodents. Pet dander can be airborne and leave traces on surfaces that cause allergic symptoms.

Insect stings: Some people get allergic reactions to bee stings, wasp stings, and bites of other insects. For certain people, these responses can get very severe and even fatal.

Certain foods: Some of the most common food allergens are milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts (almonds and walnuts), soybeans, and wheat. Fish and shellfish also cause some people to be sensitive. Ranging from mild to severe, food allergies may cause digestive symptoms (abdominal pain), skin reactions, or respiratory problems.

Latex: Latex is a form of rubber used in gloves, balloons, and some medical equipment. Latex allergies sometimes develop, which can cause skin rashes or even respiratory symptoms.

Medications: Antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) are drugs that can provoke allergic reactions in some people. You need to be aware that certain drugs can cause allergies, and you should seek medical advice.

How to find out what you are allergic to

Keep a Symptom Journal

Keeping a symptom journal is one of the first steps in discovering your allergies. You will need to keep track of when and where your symptoms occur, how severe they are, and what factors set them off.

Include your daily schedule, dietary habits, and environmental statistics. It will also be a valuable reference that you can take with you when discussing your symptoms.

Elimination diet

If you feel that particular foods are causing your allergic reactions, an elimination diet will reveal the culprits.

Elimination diets involve temporarily eliminating suspected allergens from one’s diet for two to four weeks and then reintroducing them gradually while monitoring for reactions.

Among the most common food allergens are milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts such as almonds and walnuts; soybeans (such painstaking effort!); wheat, fish; and shellfish. In the elimination phase, concentrate on simple whole foods that are less likely to be allergenic.

A food diary will chart your diet and symptoms. When restoring foods, do this one by one and in small portions; check for reactions.

Skin prick tests

Environmental allergens such as pollen, dust mites, pet dander, and mold are among those commonly detected by skin prick tests (puncture or scratch tests). Using a tiny needle, such small amounts of allergens are applied to the skin’s surface during this test. If you are allergic to that substance, a small raised bump will develop at the site of testing.

Perhaps more importantly, skin prick tests are not suitable for all. Those with particular types of dermatitis or taking certain medications may require alternative testing methods.

Blood tests

Allergies can also be detected by blood tests, as with the specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) test. IgE is an antibody produced by the immune system against allergens. Thus, healthcare professionals may determine your potential allergens simply by measuring the level of certain IgE antibodies in your blood.

Blood tests are especially effective when skin testing is not possible or there’s concern that a severe allergic reaction might be triggered. However,  they are not as sensitive and generally more expensive than skin tests.

Challenge testing

With a challenge test, suspected allergens are brought into contact with the person in an environment under medical control. The reaction of the individual is observed and monitored. This is a common way of testing for food allergies.

Because of the high risk of severe reactions, it should only be practiced under the direction of a healthcare provider.

Accordingly, challenge testing is usually limited to cases where other diagnostic methods are inconclusive and the specific allergen remains unknown.

Consulting with healthcare professionals

Some home methods provide some hints about possible allergens, but only healthcare professionals can diagnose properly and manage an allergy. Allergists, immunologists, and other specialists receive training to perform an overall assessment. They look at things like your medical history, symptoms, and test results.

According to your individual circumstances, healthcare professionals may recommend a combination of diagnostic methods. They can also advise as to how allergies might be managed by diet, medicines, and even allergy shots (immunotherapy), which enable the immune system to desensitize itself gradually.

Conclusion

The process of identifying allergies can be difficult and even frustrating, but it is essential to managing and preventing reactions.

No matter whether it’s a case of self-monitoring, an elimination diet, skin tests, or blood tests followed by challenge testing should not be premised on giving up.

However, one can give up by asking for help from the environment when difficult decisions need to be made.

Knowing what sets off your allergies allows you to take charge of your health. You also know the right allergy center Germantown MD to visit. 

In this way, you can live your life more healthily and comfortably despite the obstacles raised by allergy problems.

How to Deal with Allergies in Winter

If you suffer from allergies, surviving winter might be a real challenge. This is because there are several allergens in the air at this time that can cause everything from a simple stuffy nose to headaches and fatigue.

Thankfully, there are several things you can do to survive the season. To help you out, here are suggestions for surviving the winter allergy season.

Find out if you have allergies or if it is just cold

You need to be sure that what you are experiencing is due to allergies rather than a cold or anything more serious. 

You should know that several allergy symptoms resemble cold symptoms, but several key differences exist. 

Allergies cause symptoms to appear unexpectedly. Colds, on the other hand, develop gradually, with symptoms steadily worsening over time. 

Allergies can last for weeks or months if the allergen is constantly present. Colds usually clear up in a few weeks. 

You should note that allergies increase a person’s susceptibility to upper respiratory infections.

If you aren’t sure about the condition you are suffering from, get the input of an allergist specialist. The professional will undertake a battery of tests to determine the condition you are suffering from and advise you on the best way to combat the condition. 

Maintain the highest levels of cleanliness.

Cleaning the house may appear to be a simple taks, but it is one of the simplest ways to cope with indoor winter allergies. 

Dust, mold, pet dander, dust mite, and cockroach droppings may all hide in the most inconvenient places and cause sneezing, coughing, and congestion.

You should maintain a regular cleaning plan to limit exposure to these indoor allergens. 

Dust and vacuum regularly, especially beneath and behind furniture, where allergies can easily accumulate.

You also should wipe down counters and other frequently used surfaces. Wipe out seasonal decorations, especially if stored in places where dust and mold thrive.

Lookout for pets

As much as they are adorable, pets can make your winters unbearable. Your pets, like you, are spending more time indoors at this time, which increases your exposure to pet dander and saliva.

While you may like snuggling with your dogs before bed, you should avoid it. In fact, you should keep them out of the bedroom to prevent any nighttime allergies that may disrupt your sleep. 

Keep the door to your bedroom locked during the day so your furry family members aren’t enticed to enter.

When caressing your cat or dog, wash your hands afterward to avoid accidentally touching your face and triggering an allergic response. 

You also need to groom your pets regularly to reduce allergens in the air. 

Find and fix indoor mold.

Did you know there are around 1,000 types of mold in the United States? Many molds are not visible to the naked eye, and when mold spores become airborne, they can induce allergic reactions. 

Avoiding mold allergens can be challenging because mold can grow in almost any wet part of your house. You can find it in your basement, bathroom, under the sink, and any place with running water.

If you suspect you have indoor mold, contact a professional who can locate and remove any mold in your house. 

Stop and clean up any leaks immediately to avoid mold from forming inside your home. 

Also, keep moisture and humidity to a minimum in restrooms and kitchens. Consider getting a dehumidifier if humidity control is an issue.

Be cautious of your forced air systems.

This is one of the most crucial tasks you should undertake if you suffer from indoor allergies. 

Allergens are physically blown throughout the house by forced air systems. They draw in air and force it via pipes and vents. 

To avoid this, dust the vents regularly and have the insides of the air ducts professionally cleaned once a year. 

Most individuals never do this, and the filth and allergy accumulation can be a major issue.

While at it, check the air filters. When did you last change the filter in your furnace or air conditioner? If you can’t remember, it might be time to do it. 

When buying the new filter, get a high-quality one with a high energy star rating. Such a unit will last for a long time and give you excellent services. 

Protect your bed from dust mites.

According to the ACAAI, dust mites dwell and breed in warm, humid environments and are commonly found in carpets, pillows, mattresses, carpeting, and upholstered furniture.

Even if your house is clean on the outside, dust mite allergen particles might still be hiding in these areas, and you keep developing allergies.

Use mite-proof zippered coverings for your mattress and pillows to reduce your exposure to dust mites. 

You should also wash and change your sheets, blankets, and other bedding in hot water once a week to remove dust mite droppings.

You can do most of the cleaning by yourself, but if you are having problems keeping the bed clean, consider getting the services of an expert. 

Consult an allergist

You should consult an allergist if the allergies are getting out of control or if you are experiencing serious symptoms.

Allergists are experts at treating allergies and asthma. They will help you get tested, treated, and feel better. As a result, you get to enjoy the holiday season and beyond.

Following a consultation, an allergist may administer tests to diagnose your allergies and determine potential causes.

An allergist will prescribe antihistamines and other medications to alleviate your allergic symptoms.

Parting shot

You may better manage your winter allergies by following these recommendations. By doing so, you will enjoy the comfortable, cooler months without allergies. 

An allergy doctor Manassas VA is an important professional to have by your side at this time. For peace of mind, take your time and find a reputable one who is experienced and knows what they are doing. 

When the doctor prescribes any medication, take it religiously and follow the right procedure. 

What Causes Allergies to Develop?

If you recently visited an allergy clinic and were told that you are suffering from an allergy, you must wonder what causes allergies to develop, right?

Allergies come about when the body reacts to allergens. When the body comes into contact with the allergens, it produces special antibodies capable of recognizing the same allergic substances when the body comes into contact with it in the future.

In the event you come into contact with the allergen again, the body responds to the substance by causing a series of reactions that often involve blood vessel dilation, tissue destruction, and production of several inflammatory substances, including histamine.

Histamine is responsible for most classic allergy symptoms such as sneezing, sinus congestion, shortness of breath, watery eyes, headaches, nasal congestion, and hives.

Which are the common allergy triggers?

Although several allergens can bring about allergies, there are some that are more common than others. The common ones include:

Pollen

Pollen is the major cause of seasonal allergies. Different pollen from different plants cause allergies at different times of the year. For example, ragweed is responsible for allergic rhinitis that begins in late August and continues until the first frost.

Pollen from grasses such as red top, Bermuda, bluegrass, timothy, orchard, and others cause springtime allergies while pollen from trees such as birch, beech, oak, ash, sycamore, alder, and others bring about early springtime hay fever.

Mold spores

You can come across mold any time of the year, whether you spend most of the time indoors or outdoors. Common causes of outdoor mold are dead leaves and farm areas, while old books, bathrooms, and other damp areas are the leading causes of indoor mold.

Household allergens

Did you know your home has plenty of allergies that can worsen your allergies? The most common allergens are pet dander, dust, foods, and chemicals. These allergens often worsen the situation in winter when you keep the house closed most of the time. The situation is even worse if your house has poor ventilation.

How do you manage allergies?

Unless in severe cases, allergies are rarely life-threatening, but they can impact your life by decreasing your productivity, reducing your concentration in school, and due to the symptoms, you have a negative outlook on life. Due to this, you should move with haste and manage the condition before it brings your life to a halt.

There are plenty of ways you can control the condition, including:

Nasal sprays: These are medications that reduce the swelling in your nose, and from their name, you spray them into your nose. While they are great, they can be stuffy, runny, and itchy to the nose, so use them with caution.

Inhalers: You inhale these into your lungs to open the airways. There are primarily two types of inhalers that you can take: daily use and rescue inhalers. From their name, you take the daily inhalers during the allergy season to reduce the symptoms and the rescue inhalers when you are having an attack.

Prescription antihistamines: Although most of the antihistamines are now over the counter, you can still visit your allergy doctor Manassas VA, and he prescribes the antihistamines he deems right for your condition.

Allergy injections: You can still visit a clinic and have a series of injections meant to desensitize your immune system to the allergens that trigger the symptoms.

Immunotherapy: Here, you try to retrain the immune system to recognize the allergen and safe, and as a result, it doesn’t react to them. Even if the symptoms don’t go away completely, immunotherapy significantly reduces its frequency and severity.