Why allergy testing Is Important?

Allergy testing can help you anticipate your allergy season, so you experience little to no downtime. Today, we will explore why allergy testing is important so you can develop a treatment plan that works.

Common allergies

Drug allergies

Although medications are meant to help people overcome their illnesses, some drugs have the opposite effect. A drug allergy occurs when the body’s immune system abnormally reacts to a medication. Severe drug reactions are rare. Only 3 to 6% of reactions require hospitalisation. Typical drug allergy symptoms include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Fever
• Hives
• Itchy, watery eyes
• Runny nose
• Skin rash
• Swelling

Food allergies

Some people can not eat their favourite foods. If they do, their immune systems might react rather severely. Research estimates that up to 10.8% of the global population has a food allergy. Food allergy symptoms can include:

• Abdominal issues (pain, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting)
• Dizziness
• Itchy hives
• Lip, face, tongue, or throat swelling
• Mouth tingling or itching
• Nasal congestion
• Trouble breathing

Contact dermatitis

This type of allergy happens when human skin reacts following direct contact with a particular substance. Contact dermatitis is a common skin disorder, accounting for approximately 5.7 million physician visits each year. Avoiding the substance can improve the following skin conditions:

• Blisters
• Dark, leathery patches
• Dry, cracked skin
• Itchy rash
• Swollen and/or burning skin

Latex allergies

Latex allergies are intense reactions to specific proteins found in natural rubber latex. This rare type of allergy occurs in 1 to 6% of the population. Signs of this type of allergy mirror those of contact dermatitis. They include:

• Coughing and/or wheezing
• Difficulty breathing
• Hives
• Itching
• Rash
• Red skin
• Runny nose
• Scratchy throat
• Sneezing
• Watery eyes

Allergic asthma

This breathing condition occurs when you inhale an allergen and your breathing airways tighten. The World Health Organisation found that asthma impacts around 262 million people. Symptoms of allergic asthma can include:

• Coughing
• Itchy eyes
• Rash
• Shortness of breath
• Stuffy nose
• Wheezing

Seasonal allergies

This common type of allergy involves people reacting to plant pollen. Seasonal allergies may affect up to 30% of the world’s population and can cause people to suffer:

• Coughing
• Itchy eyes, nose, mouth, and/or throat
• Runny/stuffy nose
• Sneezing

Animal allergies

Exposure to an animal’s skin, dander, saliva, or urine can cause allergic reactions. Up to 20% of the world suffers from cat and dog allergies. Signs of animal allergies are similar to those of seasonal allergies. Additional symptoms include:

• Chest tightness
• Hives
• Sleep problems
• Swollen, blue-coloured skin under the eyes

Mould allergies

No one should breathe in mould spores. Fortunately, some people can handle the allergen. Others are not as lucky. 1 in 5 people will have some sort of allergic reaction to mould. People who experience mould allergies can expect to encounter:

• Asthma conditions
• Coughing
• Dry, scaly skin
• Itchy eyes, nose, and throat
• Nasal dripping or congestion
• Sneezing
• Watery eyes

How Can You Treat Allergies?

Unfortunately, many allergies can not be cured. However, you can pursue treatments that can alleviate your symptoms. You should consult with your physician to create a plan that works best for you. These treatment options might be available.

Drug allergy treatment

The first step to treating a drug allergy is to discontinue using the drug. In many cases, the allergy will go away after stopping using the drug. If that does not work, your physicians might prescribe antihistamines or corticosteroids.

Food allergy treatment

People suffering from a food allergy should quit consuming that food. They can use antihistamines to treat their allergic reaction. If anaphylaxis occurs, a physician can administer adrenaline.

Contact dermatitis treatment

Home remedies like cool compresses and baths can help relieve contact dermatitis symptoms. Some people might respond better to steroid creams, ointments, or pills.

Latex allergy treatment

The only way to completely prevent a latex allergic reaction is to avoid latex. If your latex allergy is severe enough, your physician might prescribe you an epinephrine injection that you will carry all the time. Your physician might also prescribe antihistamines or corticosteroids.

Allergic asthma treatment

Treating allergic asthma involves a physician thoroughly diagnosing the condition in order to develop an action plan. Aside from that, people can try to control their environments to reduce their exposure to allergens.

Seasonal allergy treatment

If you suffer from seasonal allergies, then you can reduce your exposure to triggers, keep your indoor air clean, and try over-the-counter remedies. Antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal sprays can help you control your allergies.

Animal allergy treatment

Avoiding the animal that causes your allergy is essential. Antihistamines, decongestants, and corticosteroids can help you manage your symptoms. Immunotherapy is another option where you desensitise your immune system via allergy shots. Speak to your physician to see what is best for you.

Mould allergy treatment

Antihistamines, decongestants, nasal corticosteroids, and immunotherapy can help you defeat your mould allergy symptoms. However, lifestyle changes can offer the best benefits. Sleeping with your windows closed, keeping your home’s indoor humidity below 50%, and repairing any water damage can reduce the amount of mould you come into contact with.

Why is Allergy Testing Important?

Allergy tests can help you determine what your body is allergic to so you can avoid those items. Diagnosing your allergies with a test and a physician’s assistance can help you get the relief you want. Allergy testing can save your life by informing you about the most toxic substances that can threaten your life. Knowing what you must absolutely stay away from is vital to maintaining your health.

What Types of Allergy Testing Are There?

Your physician can suggest what type of allergy testing would best suit your condition. Skin tests involve applying potential allergy triggers to the skin and observing the reaction. Blood tests can confirm or deny skin test results. Provocation tests step in if skin and blood tests do not provide substantial results. They involve giving the person a tiny amount of a substance orally or nasally.

Where Do You Go For Allergy Testing?

Have you ever thought, “Are there places that perform allergy testing near me?” You should feel confident knowing that you are not alone. Because allergies are commonplace, many people like you seek long-term relief. Before they can receive care, they must receive answers. Blood Test London now offers allergy testing across all 12 of its London clinics. You can think of us as Allergy Test London if you want to overcome your allergies. Our allergy test packages can help you discover health insights to assess and enhance your well-being. You can choose from any of the following choices:

• Food & Inhalants: testing for 50 allergens, including common ragweed, cat and horse dander, and cow’s milk
• Rhinitis Provoking Allergens: testing for 10 allergens, including cat and dog dander, egg, and peanut
• Stone Fruit, Rosaceae Family Allergy: testing for 9 allergens, including almond, cherry, and peach
• Eczema Provoking Allergens: testing for 9 allergens, including house dust mites, peanut, and wheat
• Gluten Allergy Profile: testing 5 biomarkers
• Milk & Milk Proteins Allergy: testing for the 3 main dairy allergens
• Insects Sting Allergy Profile: testing for 5 allergens including bee, paper wasp, and yellow hornet
• Nuts & Seeds Allergy: testing for 14 allergens, including cashew, macadamia nut, and sunflower seed
• Cereals Allergy: testing for barley, oat, rye, and wheat allergens

We do more than allergy testing. Our services are designed to provide critical information about your health. We offer safe and discreet blood, biomarker, and sexual health tests. You can tailor your private test however you see fit. You can also book an at-home test if that is more convenient. We offer many opportunities for you to learn more about your body so you can protect it better. Allergy testing is important if you want to better manage your condition. Contact us today if you want to book an appointment.