How to know what you are allergic to
Pets, citrus fruits, pollen, house dust … How do you know what you are allergic to? How to identify the “culprit” and protect yourself and your loved ones from an insidious allergic reaction? Alas, in most cases, only by trial and error.
Today in the arsenal of doctors there are many methods, how to know what you are allergic to, so if possible, it is better not to guess on the coffee grounds and not take risks, but immediately consult a doctor… For example, skin tests are used, in which purified allergens are injected in small quantities into the skin of the forearm. There are three types of skin tests – trick test (injection test), scarification test (the top layer of the skin is scratched under a drop of the allergen), intradermal test (injection of the allergen with a syringe).
The most informative are provocative tests, in which allergens are introduced into the shock organ – i.e. to the organ that is most affected by allergies. So, in case of allergic conjunctivitis, the allergen is instilled into the lower conjunctival sac, in case of allergic rhinitis – in the nose, in case of bronchial asthma, the allergen is inhaled through an inhaler, in case of cold allergy, a test is carried out with a piece of ice, in case of heat – a bottle with hot water is placed on the skin of the forearm, for diagnosis a food allergy patient is allowed to take a product that is a possible allergen, and a white blood cell count test is performed. Exposure provocative tests involve placing the patient in an environment where possible allergens can act. In other words, provocative tests are a kind of laboratory method of trial and error: the patient is given or injected with a suspected allergen and the reaction to it is checked, excluding or confirming the allergy.
Identifying allergies at home
How do you know what you are allergic to if you do not want to see a doctor or do not have such an opportunity? Today, in pharmacies, you can buy tests for diagnosing allergies and at home. Blood is taken from the patient and applied to a special test strip. So, if a reaction to some allergen is detected, a plus appears on the strip, in the absence of a reaction, a minus. The result of each test is known within 30 minutes. But, of course, it is better to take a blood test for specific allergens in a laboratory setting – they will be more informative and correct than those carried out at home.
The rest – not laboratory – methods for detecting allergies imply the independent exclusion of certain suspected allergens. So, if you suspect a reaction to animal hair, you should temporarily transport pets, vacuum and treat the room. If after a while the allergy symptoms disappear, then most likely, pets will have to be abandoned. Allergies can be caused by house dust and mites (about 150 species). Regular wet cleaning and air purifiers can alleviate or completely eliminate symptoms.
It is known that the baby’s immune system is just being formed in the first years, therefore, various tests for allergens in a child under 2 years of age are not very informative. How do you know what is allergic in this case? In the case of food allergies, it is recommended that you keep a food diary, which records the foods you eat and your reactions to them. When possible allergens are identified, they are completely excluded from the diet, and then gradually, one by one, they are introduced, observing the reaction. These recommendations are relevant for monitoring allergic reactions in both a child and an adult.
Allergy is not a reason to guess and make assumptions. Even if you independently identified allergens, consultation with an immunologist is still necessary. Do not let such a serious condition of the body take its course, and even more so – do not self-medicate.