What are allergies?
Allergies are your body’s way of overreacting to things that are usually harmless. It’s like your body is being a bit too cautious and thinks things like pollen, dust, certain foods, or pet fur are really dangerous. This can lead to annoying symptoms like sneezing, itching, a runny nose, or rashes. Imagine if your body had a security system, and sometimes it goes off even when there’s no real danger.
There are different types of allergies, and they’re named after the things that cause the reaction.
Seasonal Allergies: These are also called hay fever or allergic rhinitis. They happen when pollen from trees, grass, or weeds gets into your nose and eyes, making you sneeze, itch, and feel congested, especially during certain times of the year.
Food Allergies: Some people’s immune systems don’t like certain foods, like peanuts, eggs, or milk. Eating these foods can make them sick with symptoms like hives, stomach pain, or even trouble breathing.
Animal Allergies: If you’re allergic to pets, spending time around cats, dogs, or other furry animals might make you sneeze, get itchy eyes, or have a stuffy nose.
Insect Sting Allergies: Bee or wasp stings can be really dangerous for some people. After getting stung, they might have trouble breathing or even pass out.
Medicine Allergies: Sometimes medicines can cause allergic reactions, like rashes or swelling. It’s important to tell your doctor about any allergies you have before taking new medicines.
Skin Allergies: Some things, like certain fabrics or lotions, can make your skin red, itchy, or irritated.
Allergic Asthma: For some, allergies can trigger asthma, which makes it hard to breathe and causes coughing and wheezing.
It’s important to remember that allergies are different for everyone. Some people might have just one type of allergy, while others could have a few. If you think you have an allergy, doctors can help figure out what’s causing it and how to manage it. Sometimes they might suggest avoiding the allergen, taking allergy medicines, or even getting allergy shots to help your body get used to the things that bother it. Allergies might be a bit tricky, but there are ways to make life easier and more comfortable.
Allergy test
Allergy testing reveals potential allergens, such as mold, pet dander, bee stings, and peanuts. You can control your allergies by using the findings as a guide. A healthcare professional will prick you with an allergen during a skin-prick test to look for a wheal (raised skin), rash, or other symptoms. IgE antibodies can be examined using blood testing.
Allergy testing evaluates how your body reacts to particular allergens or allergy triggers. An allergy causes your immune system to overreact. It creates immunoglobulin E-containing antibodies (proteins) (IgE). These antibodies induce the substances that result in an allergic reaction to be released.
Allergy testing reveals potential allergens, such as mold, pet dander, bee stings, and peanuts. You can control your allergies by using the findings as a guide. A healthcare professional will prick you with an allergen during a skin-prick test to look for a wheal (raised skin), rash, or other symptoms. IgE antibodies can be examined using blood testing.
Allergy testing evaluates how your body reacts to particular allergens or allergy triggers. An allergy causes your immune system to overreact. It creates immunoglobulin E-containing antibodies (proteins) (IgE). These antibodies induce the substances that result in an allergic reaction to be released.
What tests are available for assessing allergies?
- Skin prick test
A skin prick test, often known as a puncture or scratch test, looks for simultaneous, rapid allergic reactions to up to 50 different chemicals. This test is typically used to diagnose allergies to foods, pollen, mold, pet dander, and dust mites. The test is often administered to adults on the forearm. The upper back of children may be examined.
- Intradermal test
A tiny amount of each substance (allergen) you might be allergic to is injected beneath the skin during intradermal skin testing. You will experience a lump and redness where the allergen was injected if you are allergic to that allergen. Each skin test reaction is monitored for swelling (wheal) and redness after only a brief period (15–20 minutes) (flare)—a positive skin test results from a sizable skin reaction.
Since intradermal tests are more sensitive than prick tests, prick skin testing should come first (i.e., fewer false negatives).
- Patch test
Your healthcare professional applies a few drops of an allergen to the skin of your arm before bandaging the area. Alternatively, your doctor might apply a patch (bandage) with the allergen. You need to leave the application on, for about 48 to 96 hours and visit the doctor’s office again. The dressing is removed so your healthcare professional can examine your skin for any reactions or rashes. This examination identifies the origin of contact dermatitis.
(Dr Akash Shah is Consultant Pathologist, Neuberg Supratech reference laboratories)
