How do I know what an allergy is?
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Modern medicine treats allergy as a combination of several diseases that merge into a single pathological process. And it's not surprising. Factors affecting the development of sensitivity to the allergen, mass - heredity, the state of the psyche, cosmetics, dust, etc. Of course, everything depends on immunity, but the doctors' forecasts are not comforting - more people are becoming susceptible to an allergic reaction.
The course of the allergy is different for each patient. The most important thing is not to be confused, for example, an allergic reaction to food and ordinary intolerance. Here there is a natural question: "How to know what an allergy is?". First, remember, after which the last time there was an exacerbation. Secondly, on a piece of paper write out all the "suspected" products, substances, etc. Thirdly, you can independently start a check on the list. Be careful, since an overdose can cause another attack in a heavier form. Some people have to imagine, add flavor, smell the true allergen, how the first symptoms of the disease appear.
[How to find out the cause of the allergy?
Establishing the source of an allergic reaction at home is possible by trial and error, which can result in life-threatening conditions.
In the arsenal of physicians there are many ways on how to find out the cause of the allergy in a more reliable way, without playing a fortune-teller. For example, skin test methods, which are divided into the following types:
- trick-testing - with the help of a prick;
- scarification research - the allergen is applied when scratching the skin;
- intradermal test - the suspect substance is injected with a syringe.
These types of examination are carried out by examining the skin of the forearm zone after contact with a small amount of purified allergen.
How do I know what an allergy is in the most informative way? Doctors-allergists use provocative testing. The essence of the technique is to put the allergen directly into the hypersensitive organ. With the primary reaction from the eyes - the provoker is injected into the conjunctive bag, in the case of allergic rhinitis - in the nasal sinuses, with asthmatic manifestations - inhaling the allergen with the help of an inhaler. Such a study of the patient's condition when interacting with the source of allergy requires the presence of a physician, who is able to provide emergency help if necessary.
How to know if there is an allergy?
The allergy manifests itself on any skin integuments, can be "masked" for a runny nose, and the duration of a painful condition lasts from a couple of minutes to several days.
How to know if there is an allergy? First of all, you need to remember the signs of the disease:
- redness, feeling of rubbing in eyes, lacrimation;
- rashes on various parts of the skin accompanied by itching (hives, eczema, etc.);
- stool changes, nausea;
- permanent, cough of dry type mainly at night;
- pulmonary wheezing, a state of suffocation;
- sensation of a coma in the throat, perspiration and itching;
- long nasal congestion with clear, watery discharge;
- swelling of individual parts of the body, more often face / eyelids;
- paroxysmal sneezing without apparent cause;
- tenderness in the joints.
The listed phenomena are long, chronic, aggravating in the presence of an allergen. For example, when the house dust is accumulating, the patient has painful symptoms. Only properly made cleaning brings long-awaited relief.
How do I know if I have an allergy with medical help? Consultation of an allergist is never superfluous. Independently to reveal, and in general to understand an allergy at you, happens very difficultly. Initially, the doctor collects data on the alleged allergic manifestations, based on your words. Next, a special examination is given - skin testing, which helps to establish the cause of unpleasant symptoms. If necessary, conduct a blood / sputum test, check respiratory function, X-ray diagnosis of the chest and nasal sinuses. After that, the doctor can draw conclusions about the presence of the disease.
How to know why allergies?
Most of us do not like to go to the hospital and try to find out the cause of the allergy on our own.
How do you know why an allergy is not leaving your home? To do this allow special tests available in pharmacy kiosks. One drop of blood is enough to get the results equivalent to laboratory ones. The hypersensitivity to the allergen will be indicated by a plus on the test strip, in the absence of reaction, a minus appears. The duration of the investigation of each suspect substance takes half an hour.
You can also try to exclude contact with an alleged allergen. Carry pets, do a thorough cleaning if you notice signs of increased sensitivity to wool. If you reduce or completely get rid of painful symptoms, you should forget about animals in the house.
Dust with mites contained in it is a common cause of allergic manifestations at any age. Help can be regular cleaning with the use of specialized tools, as well as an air purifier.
It is more difficult with babies until they reach the age of two. The immune system of the child is still developing, so laboratory diagnostic methods are ineffective, even erroneous. How do you know what an allergy is in this situation? In the presence of sensitivity to any product, parents are encouraged to maintain a food diary. It is important to record every product and reaction of the baby in it. Thus, it is possible to avoid allergic reactions to food. If there is a painful manifestation on several types of foods, you should first cancel all of them, and then enter the diet one by one, carefully watching the reaction. Such advice is also relevant in adulthood.
Even if you get to the true cause of your discomfort, consult an immunologist anyway. The specialist will help you choose the right treatment in your specific situation, while independent therapy can only aggravate the situation and lead to chronic diseases.
How do I know what an allergy is? - an important issue, but this is only the first step in a comprehensive medical intervention, including: preventive measures, reducing the strength and frequency of recurrence of attacks, immunocorrecting programs.