How to Identify What You are Allergic To

If sneezing, nasal congestion, or watery eyes make your everyday activities uncomfortable, you could be allergic to something. The good thing is that allergy specialists like Dr. Polina Zaydenberg can help you understand what you are allergic to and help you manage your situation. Allergic reactions are unique since your body can respond negatively to something that is not a bother to other people. Therefore, allergies are handled uniquely according to your specific symptoms and possible triggers. Identifying what triggers an allergic reaction is essential to understanding how to manage your symptoms.

The following tips can help you know your allergies.

Track Your Symptoms

When you experience an allergic reaction, please record anything you might have touched, smelled, eaten, drunk, or came into contact with. Note also when the reaction occurs again and try to relate with the first occurrence. Make a track record of your symptoms to help you know why you are experiencing the reaction. Write down where you were, what you were wearing, and whether you have touched an animal, soaps, cosmetics, lotions, or anything else you might have done over the day. Remember that although some reactions happen fast upon being exposed to the triggers, some may take a while to occur.

Go For Testing

If you have allergic suspicions, there is only one way to be sure. Make an appointment with an allergy specialist and ask for testing. Your provider will discuss your concerns with you and ask you relevant questions before proceeding with testing. Remember to carry notes about your symptoms and ensure you hand them to your doctor. Your provider will also want to know your family history. A skin prick test is the most popular allergy test, but your provider can also recommend other tests according to your symptoms.

Understand the Most Common Types of Allergies

If you experience allergic reactions a lot, you ought to educate yourself about different allergies to know which you might be allergic to. There are so many allergies, but they are mainly classified into four groups; food, insects, environmental, and medications. Food allergies mainly occur when you eat or come into contact with certain foods or drinks. Insect allergies mainly occur when you are stung by insects like a bee. Environmental allergies include pollen, pet dander, mold, or contact allergies that often cause skin irritation. Medication allergies include both prescription and over-the-counter medications that can cause a reaction when taken.

Evaluate What You Have Touched

When your skin gets itchy, flaky, or red, there are high chances that you have touched something you are allergic to. Consider if you have come into contact with rubber or latex, soaps, cosmetics, lotions, topical medications, nickel, other metals, certain dyes and fabrics, and irritants like sumac and poison oak. Also, consider if you have touched certain foods or an insect has bitten you. Wasp or bee stings are commonly known to cause allergic reactions in many people. When stung, you will experience swelling, hives or itchiness, cough, or wheezing.

Consider the Medications You are Taking

You could be experiencing allergic reactions due to some of your medications. Therefore, notify your doctor about your current treatment plan to see if it could cause your symptoms. You might be required to stop using any medicines you are allergic to. You could be allergic to some ingredients in the medications.

If you suspect your symptoms are an allergic reaction, the CHW Cares allergy specialists can help you identify your allergies. Schedule your appointment today through a call or online for more information.

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