Allergy Test - What Should You Know?

Allergy is a condition in the human body in which the body reacts to the particles in the environment which are harmless otherwise. These particles are called allergens. Some people have a highly reactive and active immune system. Even a small amount of allergens in the body are identified by the immune system and cause inflammation and reactive conditions in the body. Most of the time it is harmless and does not create a problem. But, if a person is facing problems for more than three months in a year, one should consult an ENT for the same.

Causes of Allergy:

Causes of allergies are unknown and can be due to any reason. There is no definite cause for allergies in a patient. Some people may have an allergy due to dust, or pollen, or even animals and food. There is no single reason for the allergy; every allergy is different, and every reaction to the allergy is different.

There are many common types of allergens which cause allergies like house pet hairs, wool, chemicals used in the house, dust or pollen particles, etc. Allergies mostly occur more often in winters as the houses are closed and packed. Some people have a seasonal allergy, and some suffer from perennial allergy, depending upon the immune system of a particular person.

Symptoms of Allergy:

There are no definitive symptoms of allergies. Most symptoms of allergies include a runny nose, congestion, infections in the ears or skin, redness, water in the eyes, and many more. Every allergy symptom is different since it is highly dependent upon one's immune system and its reaction.

Allergy Test:

The treatment of the Allergy highly depends upon the allergy test. ENT doctors can test the allergy since they determine the source of the allergy and assess as of how to manage it. It is rare for allergies to be life-threatening, but prolonged inflammation and infections in the body can affect the system in a later phase. ENT doctors determine the reaction of hypersensitivity in the body and observe whether they are creating some disruption in the body system or not.

There are some tests available for testing allergies. The most common methods are pricking test and the intradermal test. Most doctors opt for a combination of both methods as the results are more reliable.

Treatment:

Once doctors have completed the tests and determined the condition of the patient, they suggest either allergen avoidance or medication.

1. Allergen Avoidance: It is the best method to treat allergic patients. In this treatment, the patient is asked to avoid the allergen for safety. However, this method only works when the allergen can be practically avoided. For example, if a patient is allergic to dust, he may prevent dust by covering his bed and pillows with special covers that block dust and kill dust mites.

2. Medications: Medicines are prescribed to the patient when avoidance is not practical or to reduce the impact of the reactive immune system to ease the symptoms. 

People often neglect allergy tests since the symptoms are not worse. But timely checkups and tests are recommended by the doctors for healthy living. Also, if a person is suffering from any type of allergies, seeking immediate help is always recommended and necessary for a healthy life.