If you have allergy symptoms like sneezing, rashes, or trouble breathing, you should get an allergy test. An allergy test checks your blood for antibodies that react to common allergens like pollen, pet dander, or foods. Finding out exactly what you’re allergic to helps you avoid triggers, get proper treatment, and prevent allergies from getting worse. Allergy testing lets you manage your allergies effectively.
Allergies can cause a range of uncomfortable and, sometimes dangerous symptoms. If you have unexplained reactions like sneezing, rashes, or trouble breathing, you may need an allergy test to find out what is causing your allergic responses. This guide explains why allergy testing is important and what are the different triggers of allergies.
What is an Allergy Profile Test?
An allergy profile test checks for allergy antibodies called IgE in your blood. Higher levels of IgE can signal your body that it is reacting to specific allergens like pollen, pet dander, foods and more. For the test, a small blood sample is taken and analyzed to measure IgE levels for many potential allergens.
Why Get Allergy Testing?
Identifying your allergic triggers or causes is vital for several reasons:
- Manage Symptoms: Knowing your allergens allows you to limit exposure and potentially reduce symptoms like sneezing, rashes, or breathing issues.
- Get Proper Treatment: With an accurate allergy diagnosis, your doctor can prescribe medications, and immunotherapy or a guide to manage your allergies.
- Improve Daily Life: Understanding and treating allergies helps improve overall well-being and lets you freely participate in activities you may have avoided due to allergies.
- Prevent Progression: Early allergy testing can stop allergies from developing into more severe conditions like asthma.
Common Allergy Symptoms
Allergic reactions can range from mild annoyances to dangerous, even life-threatening responses. Be alert for:
- Sneezing
- Runny/stuffy nose
- Itchy/watery eyes
- Coughing and wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Skin rashes, hives, or eczema
- Itchy skin
- Swollen face/lips/tongue
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea and bloating
- Difficulty breathing
- Dizziness
- Rapid heartbeat and low blood pressure
If you are having a sinus infection due to an allergy, you might also develop a fever caused by the sinus infection itself. Your doctor might order a fever blood test to confirm this.
Types of Allergies
Many things can cause allergic reactions. It’s important to know what specific things trigger your allergies so you can avoid them and get the right treatment. The main types of allergies are:
Food Allergies
Some people are allergic to certain foods like milk, wheat, nuts and others. A blood test can check if you have food allergies, so you know which foods to avoid or limit.
Environmental Allergies
Things in the environment like dust, pollen from trees/grasses, and mould can make some people’s allergies flare up with symptoms like sneezing, coughing, and breathing trouble. Testing identifies if you’re allergic to these environmental triggers.
Pet/Animal Allergies
Allergies can be set off by exposure to animal fur, dander, or products made from animals like leather. This may cause skin rashes, itching, and other reactions.
Medication Allergies
Certain medications can unfortunately cause allergic reactions in some people. Your doctor can order allergy tests to find safe medication options if you have drug allergies.
Allergies can severely impact quality of life, so getting an accurate diagnosis through complete allergy testing is extremely beneficial. An allergy profile test identifies your specific triggers to avoid allergens, treat symptoms more effectively, and prevent allergies from progressively worsening.