Allergies are health conditions. They are caused by hypersensitivity of the immune system to typically harmless substances in the environment. These substances are known as allergens. They include pollen, dust mites, mould spores, pet dander, and certain foods.
An allergic reaction can be mild (itchy eyes) or severe (anaphylaxis). Your doctor will guide you about the treatment for allergies with over-the-counter medications. Some people may require prescription-strength medications or immunotherapy.
If you are looking for information on allergies, you’ve come to the right place. Here, we will cover the different types of allergies, their symptoms, and how they are diagnosed.
What is an allergy?
Allergy is your body’s negative response to certain substances that are harmless to others but do not work well with your immune system. Food items, insects, pet dander, molds, pollen, etc. are most likely the culprits. Immunoglobulin E (IgE) is produced by the body when it comes into contact with the allergen through eating, breathing, or touching. It binds with allergens, causing allergy symptoms like itching, rashes or congestion.
Everyone experiences different symptoms depending on the allergen. It can affect the nose, eyes, throat, skin, lungs, and stomach, among other body parts. Most allergies are mild to moderate.
To treat allergies, you must know their type and cause of it. Let’s find out more about it.
What are The Types of Allergies?
There are various types of allergies. Here we are looking at the most common types.
Food Allergy
Food Allergy is one of the most common allergies people experience. It develops when you consume certain food items, and your body releases antibodies as a reaction. Some common food allergens are milk, eggs, nuts, shellfish etc. It can develop at any stage of life.
Symptoms of food allergy:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Itching in one or all body parts
- Swelling around the mouth, face, tongue
Skin Allergy
The most common skin allergies are eczema and hives. These appear as redness or rashes on the skin. Eczema is an inflammatory condition. It can affect anyone, but children are the most common victims. The most common triggers for eczema are house mites, pollen, pet fur, and irritants like detergents and soaps. It is not contagious. Antibiotics and atopic creams can control it. Hives are also known as urticaria. It is a skin rash. It is mostly caused by food, medication, environmental factors or underlying health issues. Hives are usually red, pink-coloured itchy welts on the skin. They can affect anyone, from children to adults. With proper guidance and medication, you can manage the occurrence of hives.
Symptoms of skin allergy:
Eczema – dry, red, itchy skin
Hives – a red bumpy rash. It only lasts for about 24 hours. Allergic Rhinitis
Allergic Rhinitis is also known as hay fever or seasonal allergies. It develops as a reaction when you inhale an allergen. Pollen, dust, pet dander, mold, perfumes, hairspray, cigarette smoke, and other common allergens are some examples. You can control allergic Rhinitis with medication and home remedies.
Symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis:
Runny nose and sneezing
Itchy eyes
Congestion
How to Diagnose Allergies?
Allergies are mostly connected to the immune system. Knowing the cause will help you treat them easily. Whether you are sneezing a lot or getting itchy hives, you can diagnose allergies with blood tests.
The following techniques will assist your doctor in diagnosing allergies. examining symptoms and learning about allergies in the family An examination of the body Blood tests (allergen-specific IgE test)
Your lab technician will take a blood sample to test your sensitivities to allergens. After going through the IgE test results, your doctor will guide you about further treatment.
What is Allergen-Specific Immunoglobulin E (IgE) Test?
The most common blood test performed to diagnose allergies is the IgE test. This test measures the immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in your bloodstream. These are allergy-causing antibodies that your body produces as a reaction to allergens. These antibodies react differently depending on the allergen. Therefore it is easier to diagnose the type of allergy with an IgE test.
Conclusion
Allergies are common health conditions. They can affect anyone. With the right advice and medication, mild to moderate allergies can be easily treated. Blood tests are the best way to diagnose allergies. They help you understand the type of allergy and its cause of it. Once you are aware of allergens, you can avoid them and take medication or immunotherapy.
At Metropolis, we have trained technicians who collect blood. Our highly advanced ImmunoCAP™ machines help you with accurate blood allergy tests. Additionally, we offer services for home blood tests and send results via email and the Metropolis TruHealth app online.
