Introduction

Allergies have become a chronic health condition worldwide. They occur when your immune system becomes hyperactive for certain types of substances called allergens, such as pollen, dust mites, certain foods, insect stings, or medications. While mild allergies may cause little discomfort, if left untreated can significantly affect your quality of life and, in some cases, become life-threatening.

What are Allergies?

These are unusual immune responses to certain foreign substances like Pollen, dust mites, and certain foods that enter our body and cause allergic reactions like Sneezing, itching, and watery eyes. It can be sometimes life-threatening, leading to Low Blood pressure and airway swelling (anaphylaxis)

What Happens During an Allergic Reaction?

When an allergen enters, your immune system actively releases chemicals like IgE and histamine triggers symptoms like inflammation in your nose, lungs, skin, digestive system, or eyes. Contact your doctor and seek the right medical attention if the symptoms persist for a long time.

What are the different types of allergy symptoms?

Sneezing and Runny Nose

One of the common allergy signs during an allergic reactionis runny or stuffy nose, nasal congestion, and itch throat. If you are sneezing frequently, especially in the morning or during seasonal changes, it could indicate allergic rhinitis (hay fever).

These symptoms are often mistaken for a cold, but allergies usually last longer. Contact your doctor accordingly.

Itchy, Watery, or Red Eyes

During Pollen seasons, eye irritation is common, but sometimes this can lead to conditions like allergic conjunctivitis, which causes eyes to become red, itchy, and watery. Some of the early warning signs include Swollen eyelids, Burning sensation, and sensitivity to light.

Skin rash or Eczema

People with skin allergy can sometimes haveconditionsn like  Hives (urticaria), which appear as red, raised, itchy welts, while eczema leads to dry, scaly patches that may crack or ooze, which may be triggered by Certain foods (milk, peanuts, eggs), Detergents or cosmetics, and Insect bites.

Dont Ignore, as long-term skin allergies can lead to infections or worsening inflammation.

Breathing Difficulty or Wheezing

Signs like Wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and persistent cough can lead to allergic asthma, which can develop that irritates the lungs, causing breathing issues and problems. Don't avoid these signs and get the right treatment, as they may lead to severe respiratory illness.

 Lips, Face, or Throat Swelling 

A Sudden swelling, especially after eating certain foods or taking medication,s may indicate a serious allergic reaction. Swelling can block the airways, which can be dangerous. Early signs include Difficulty swallowing, Hoarse voice, and trouble breathing.

Digestive Issues

People with food allergies may have symptoms like nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or diarrhea soon after consuming the allergen. If you have repeated digestive issues while eating food, contact your allergist for proper evaluation.

Chronic Fatigue or Headache

People sensitive to allergens may have tiredness, sinus pressure, or headaches from untreated allergies. If you often feel exhausted during allergy season, it may be time for proper testing and treatment.

Importance of Allergy Testing

People with allergic symptoms may have overlapping illnesses. Without testing, you may treat the symptoms but not the underlying cause. Accurate diagnosis enables doctors to develop personalized allergy treatment plans, avoid triggers, and prevent serious reactions.

Test to Confirm Allergies

Skin prick test

One of the most common tests for skin allergy is where a small amount of allergens is applied on the skin(forearm or back), and the skin is pricked; a raised bump within 15-20 min is indicative of allergy.

IgE Blood test

This test is used to analyse food or medication allergies. In this test, a blood sample is taken to check the level of allergen-specificIgEE antibodies, its high level indicates an allergic reaction.

Below is the table for high IGE level interpretation

Disclaimer:  Refer to your doctor to get a detailed analysis of your IgE blood test report

Patch Test

Used to analyse skin allergies like contact dermatitis or to identify any cosmetic metal and chemical-related allergies by checking if your skin reacts to certain substances and identifies delayed allergic reactions.

Oral Food Challenge

A gold standard to diagnose food allergies, here the food causing allergy is consumed under strict medical supervision, and when symptoms appear, the allergy is confirmed. It is important to know that this test require a specialized healthcare setting.

Spirometry test

It is a specialised lung function test to check for breathing capacity and airflow obstruction caused by allergic asthma. This test.

Elimination Diet Test

To check for any food allergies or intolerance, help you to make a personalized eating plan, the doctor removes some of allergy causing food and gradually reintroduces them to analyse pinpoint triggers leading to skin or digestive issues.

Note: consultation with an allergy specialist to help select the most appropriate test based on your symptoms, medical history, and clinical needs.

When Should You Consider Allergy Testing?

• Symptoms that last longer than two weeks
  
• Having Recurring sneezing, cough, or rash
  
• Breathing difficulty after exposure to dust or pollen
  
• Reactions after eating specific foods
  
• Severe swelling or throat irritation

Conclusion

Allergy is one of the common illness now a days and should not be ignored, especially when they become persistent or severe. It is important to identify the cause through proper testing to ensure timely and effective treatment. Take control of your health by understanding the common allergy symptoms and the diagnostic tests that confirm them to avoid unnecessary complications.