Must-Read Myths About Food Allergies

Posted on May 22, 2021 by ManassasAllergist

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Food allergies are more common than anyone realize. Most of the times, food allergies are misunderstood. There are many food allergy myths prevailing these days. People believe these myths and aggravate their allergy symptoms. Food allergies can be dangerous. It is always advisable to visit an allergy doctor whenever allergy symptoms are noticed. The allergy doctor will analyze your symptoms and provide the required treatment.

Food Allergy Myths

Food allergies initiate more than allergic reactions. They can also trigger misunderstanding and misconceptions that may confuse food allergy patients from taking the right treatment. Below mentioned are the most common food allergy myths:

Myth #1: Food Allergies are very common

Food allergies might be common, but everyone has different allergic condition. It is not possible to generalize the food allergies. Even if two people are allergic to same ingredient, their symptoms may differ.

Myth #2: Food Allergies are not dangerous

Well, this is false. Food allergies can me life-threatening. It is not good to take food allergy symptoms lightly. Anaphylaxis is a severe condition that develops rapidly and can be fatal. If you are sensitive toward any food, keep your allergy medication handy.

Myth #3: Any negative reaction to a food is a food allergy

There can be many causes behind reactions to food. You just cannot blame food allergies for every kind of stomachache. There are many conditions which can hurt your stomach, such as food intolerance, food poisoning etc. Thus, before you take allergy medication for stomachache, consult your doctor.

Myth #4: There is no need to visit an allergy doctor

Many people think that by avoiding foods with which they are allergic, they can cope up with food allergies. This is not possible. There might be plenty of foods that can cause allergic reaction in your body. You will not be able to determine those foods until and unless you visit a local allergy clinic. The allergy doctor will conduct some tests and determine the foods that can trigger allergy symptoms. Also, it is important to see allergy doctor for the right allergy medication.

Note: This article does not replace doctor’s advice. Please consult with your doctor before making any changes in your lifestyle.

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Your Month-by-Month Guide to Allergies

Posted on April 30, 2021 by ManassasAllergist

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If you have allergy during certain months of the year, you may think when you will get reprieve. Some people get allergies during spring, fall or winters, while other suffers from allergies throughout the year. People who suffer from seasonal allergies get relief during other months of the year, but people who constantly battle from allergens year around, have to rely on allergy doctors and allergy medications for allergy relief.

A Month-To-Month Guide For Your Allergies

January

January can be a troubling month for people who suffer from winter allergies. There will be less pollen in the environment, but indoor pollution can trigger allergy symptoms.

February

Mold and dust mites can trouble allergy sufferers during the month of February. However, February can be a tough month for asthma patients as well.

March                              

March is the month when pollen count rises. This month can be really very bad for spring allergy sufferers.

April

April is the worst month for pollen allergy sufferers. It is the month when pollen count increases exponentially. Allergy sufferers should spend more and more time indoors during the month of April.

May

Pollen count remains high during the month of May as well. Allergy and asthma patients should take their allergy medication for relief.

June

June is the grass-pollen month. Spring allergies get worse during June.

July

Spring allergies become somewhat manageable during July. Allergy sufferers can plan outdoor visits in July.

August

August is a bad month for people having allergies to mold spores. Summer allergy sufferers should remain cautious during hot, humid weather.

September

Call it late summer or early fall –September is not a great month for fall allergy sufferers. Depending on your geographical location, ragweed allergies can start in August or September.

October

Fall allergies can ease in October. But in warmer regions, fall allergies can linger into this month.

November

Pollen season usually ends by mid-November. Seasonal allergy sufferers can take bliss of outdoors in this month.

December

Christmas trees can make you sneeze and wheeze in December. However, you can take allergy shots to enjoy the festive month of December without any interruption of the seasonal allergies.

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Allergies and Asthma: Is There a Connection?

Posted on April 17, 2021 by ManassasAllergist

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Allergies can be really very annoying, often occur during the seasons people love to spend time outdoors. Asthma is another troublesome respiratory condition that contracts the airways and makes it difficult for a person to breathe. Allergies and asthma are the most common chronic diseases in the United States. People have to visit allergy and asthma clinic to keep their allergy and asthma symptoms under control.

Allergies and Asthma

Many allergy and asthma patients are unsure whether or not there is connection between the two diseases. In fact, allergies and asthma are closely related to each other. People suffering from either disease can benefit from knowing both the conditions. Generally, allergies and asthma get triggered by same allergens and limiting the exposure to potential allergens can help for each disease.

Allergy induced asthma

The combination of allergy and asthma is known as allergic asthma or allergy-induced asthma. It is the most common asthma condition. Perhaps the first thing to know about allergic asthma is that there is a direct genetic connection between allergies and evolving asthma symptoms. If any of the parents have allergies, it is more probable that their children will also have allergies. It is common for people who have allergies from birth to develop asthma symptoms. So, family allergy history can be a warning sign of asthma.

Along with genetic warnings, there are many allergy triggers that can impact asthma, including but not limited to dust mites, pollen, spores, animal dander and mold. These allergens trigger allergy symptoms and they may cause symptoms of asthma to flare up as well. Thus, asthma patients should take care of dry and windy days, pollen count, surroundings and try to limit the time spent outdoors during allergy seasons.

There are a few treatments that can cure allergic asthma symptoms, but in general, most treatments are dedicated more on one of the two conditions. This makes allergic asthma treatment even more difficult. It may also be a good idea to consult with an asthma specialist about possible cure for each condition that will not cause any side-effect when taken in the combination.

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How To Survive Allergy Season When You Have Asthma?

Posted on March 29, 2021 by ManassasAllergist

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If you suffer from allergic rhinitis, you might be aware of two allergy seasons — spring and fall. Most allergy sufferers know that allergy symptoms escalate during spring, as tree pollen runs rampant. Allergy seasons become more difficult for asthma sufferers, because allergens trigger asthma symptoms to them. Asthma patients should remain extra cautious during spring and fall seasons. Visiting asthma clinic for precautionary measure is the ideal thing asthma patients can do to control their asthma.

Allergy season and asthma

It is essential to have an allergy survival plan in place to deal with the seasonal pollen. Pollen is a very common allergen, but other things can also trigger allergy and asthma symptoms –dust, mold, airborne contaminants, environmental chemicals, pet dander, and cockroaches. Every person reacts differently to different allergens. And, just because you have not reacted to something in the past does not signify that you will not react to it in the future—you may get sensitized at any point in time.

Surviving Allergy Season When You Have Asthma

Avoid Using Air Fresheners: While using air fresheners, you might think that you are clearing the air and removing the unpleasant odors. Actually, air fresheners can leave you sneezing and wheezing. So, get rid of air fresheners.

Choose paint wisely: If you are thinking about painting your bedroom, then opt for paint that is certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Products which are certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America have a green paint logo.

Be careful while choosing a pain reliever: People who have sensitive breathing conditions are sensitive towards aspirin as well. This means that taking aspirin can trigger a severe asthma attack.

Clean your air filter: Asthma sufferers prefer spending maximum time at home to avoid allergens, but it will useless if your indoor air is polluted. So, clean your air filter every month and replace it in every 3 months.

Allergy and asthma symptoms get worse during allergy season. Asthma patients should consult with their asthma doctors in advance. Your doctor may prepare you an asthma management plan, so that you can take bliss of the season.

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5 Nasal Allergy Symptoms That You Shouldn’t Ignore

Posted on March 16, 2021 by ManassasAllergist

Nasal Allergy symptoms

If you suffer from nasal allergies, you may be used to nasal congestion and sneezing that last the entire day. But you need not have to put up with it. Whether you are allergic to pollen, dust mites or animal dander, you can get relief from nasal allergy symptoms.

Nasal Allergy symptoms

Nasal allergy symptoms should be treated as long as they are noticed. If nasal allergies are not treated early, they can get worse over time. Below mentioned are 5 nasal allergy symptoms that you should not ignore and what you can do to treat them:

Stuffy or Runny Nose

A stuffy or runny nose is one of the most common symptoms of the nasal allergy. The best way to treat stuffy nose is to treat its cause. Begin by avoiding allergy triggers. Take help of a local allergist to identify your allergy triggers. Though it is not possible to completely avoid the allergens, you may be able to reduce your exposure to those allergens.

Sinus Pressure

Sinuses are small cavities situated behind your cheeks, forehead and eyes. If mucus forms up in any of these areas due to allergies, you will feel pain or pressure. Sinus pressure can be reduced by applying warm or moist cloth on your face. In case, sinus pressure or pain is experienced for more than a week, call your allergy doctor.

Sneezing

Sneezing starts when you come into contact with any substance with which you are allergic. Uncontrollable sneezing can be really very troublesome. Some people have such serious sneezing problems that they impede with their routine activities. But sneezing does not have to be serious to seek treatment.

Itchy Eyes

Itchy or watery eyes are one of the most common allergy symptoms. Although this condition can be irritating, eye symptoms don’t usually cause any type of severe vision problems. Again, avoiding allergens is the best way to prevent itchy eyes.

Postnasal Drip

When mucus becomes thick, it results postnasal drip. In such situation, visiting allergy clinic becomes necessary for allergy treatment. The allergy doctor will provide you the medication that will not only alleviate postnasal drips but also provide allergy relief.

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How Long Does an Allergic Reaction Last On Your Face?

Posted on February 28, 2021 by ManassasAllergist

Allergic reactions affecting the face often lead to swollen lips, raised welts, and watery eyes. Like other allergic reactions, these reactions happen when you come into contact with the allergen. You might have eaten, inhaled, or rubbed the allergen onto your skin. The symptoms develop in seconds or minutes or gradually over hours.

How long does an allergic reaction last on your face? It’s hard to tell as the symptoms vary depending on the allergen.

If you are having an allergic reaction on your face, you should move with haste and visit an allergy specialist doctor to help you determine the cause of the reaction and give you the appropriate medication.

Causes of allergic reactions on the face

Direct contact with the allergen

When your skin reacts after direct contact with a substance, you are said to be suffering from contact dermatitis, and it’s common on the hands and face. You will have this allergic reaction when you come into contact with: soaps, detergents, and toiletries, metal jewelry, latex, solvents, dust, soil, chemicals, plants, and other items.

The symptoms include: redness, hives, inflamed skin, itchiness, and small blisters. The symptoms often appear within 48 hours, but it’s not uncommon for them to appear immediately.

Food

Face reactions due to food are common in young children, but this isn’t to say they don’t happen in adults. The food reactions cause facial symptoms such as swollen lips and eyes, red, itchy hives, swollen tongue, breathing difficulties, and pale or blue skin. In severe cases, the food can cause anaphylaxis.

Any food can cause allergies, including fruits and vegetables, but the most common foods known to cause allergies are: nuts, milk, eggs, and shellfish.

Drugs

You can take mediation either through injection or swallowing, and your face reacts to it. The symptoms are similar to those you find in food allergies and can also result in anaphylaxis.

Common drugs known to cause allergies are: penicillin and related antibiotics, anticonvulsants, chemotherapy drugs, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and aspirin.

Hay fever

Popularly known as seasonal allergic rhinitis, hay fever is a reaction to grass, tree, or weed pollen that affects people mostly in the months of spring and summer when the pollen count is high. It’s triggered when you inhale pollen or touch your face or eyes.

Depending on the amount of allergen you have come across, hay fever can have a significant effect on your face, with symptoms that include: watering eyes, itchy, red eyes, itchy or irritated nose, pain or pressure around the nose, temples, and forehead.

You are also more likely to cough, sneeze, feel tired, have a runny or blocked nose and headache.

Atopic eczema

Also known as atopic dermatitis, atopic eczema is characterized by red, dry, itchy skin. The itch can affect any part of your body, including the face.

Although the condition is common in children, it can also happen in adults of any age. When not properly managed, it’s prone to flare-ups where the flare-ups are triggered by dust mites, food allergies, detergents, certain fabrics, weather, and changes in hormone levels.

Can you prevent reactions on your face?

Yes, you can prevent them from resulting, and how you do it depends on the type of allergy you are having. Some ways to prevent the situation include:

Food allergies: You can protect yourself by reading the labels before eating any food. You also should be ultra-cautious when eating in restaurants, delis, and street stalls, so you don’t eat food that you are allergic to.

Hay fever: You should protect yourself by staying indoors and avoiding the grassy areas when the pollen count is high. If you lead a busy life and can’t stay indoors, take antihistamines and wear wraparound sunglasses to limit the amount of pollen reaching your eyes.

How to treat reactions to the face

How you treat the condition depends on the type of allergy you are suffering from. When you visit an allergist Germantown MD, he can recommend different medications such as antihistamines, corticosteroids, moisturizers, and even immunotherapy.

The key to getting the best treatment is ensuring you are getting treated by an experienced professional. You don’t want someone to botch you up, do you?

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What Are 3 Ways To Manage Allergies?

Posted on January 31, 2021 by ManassasAllergist

If you have been suffering from allergies, you must have come across information that there are three ways you can control the allergies. What are 3 ways to manage allergies? You must be wondering.

Here they are as given by allergy treatment experts:

Avoid the triggers

It’s as simple as it says. To remain healthy and manage the condition, you need to avoid the triggers. If you frequently suffer from seasonal allergies, find the allergen you are allergic to and stay away from it. For example, if you are often allergic to pollen, stay away from pollen as much as you can.

This calls for you to stay indoors during the peak pollen hours (mornings and evenings).

If you suffer from food allergies, visit your doctor to undertake a test that will help you know the type of food you are allergic to. If you are allergic to milk, stay away from milk and milk products. It should also be the case if you are allergic to eggs, peanuts, or any other products.

When suffering from food allergies, be ultra-cautious when buying canned foods as you don’t want to buy products containing your triggers. Before you buy the products, take time to read the labels and ensure they don’t have the foods you are allergic to.

Take medications

If you have tried to stay away from the allergens without success, don’t worry as there are plenty of medications you can use to control the condition. These medications include:

Antihistamines

Antihistamines are highly effective at treating runny nose, sneezing, and itchy eyes. While they are popular with people suffering from hay fever, you can use them even when suffering from other allergies.

Although the drugs are highly effective, you should note that they often leave people feeling sleepy, groggy, or simply tired.

While you can buy the antihistamines from over the counter, it’s wise you get a prescription from a doctor to avoid those that might lead to more problems.

Decongestants

Decongestants come in handy at relieving stuffy, blocked nose common when you are suffering from nasal congestion. Short-term use of the decongestants often provides excellent relief and makes you feel good quickly.

While the decongestants are excellent, they can sometimes increase your heart rate and blood pressure making it hard for you to sleep at night. The medications have also been shown to worsen prostate problems and glaucoma.

If you have other health problems, especially a heart condition, get a doctor’s advice before taking any decongestant.

Even if the decongestants seem to work at first, avoid repeated use of them as they have been shown to cause irreparable damage to the nose lining. To stay on the safe side, don’t use the decongestants too often. You also shouldn’t use them for many days at a time.

Lotions and creams

Are you suffering from skin allergy? Use lotions and creams to treat the condition. The cool thing is there are plenty of creams and lotions in the market you can go for. There is calamine to reduce itchiness, moisturizing creams to keep the skin moist, steroids to reduce inflammation, and many others.

First, visit a doctor to test you and recommend the best lotion or cream to go for.

Allergy shots

If you aren’t afraid of shots like millions of people, consider getting an allergy shot. Although you can be given a shot for any condition you are suffering from, the shots are more popular and effective in people suffering from seasonal allergies that cause nasal congestion, sneezing, and itchy eyes.

You should definitely get allergy shots when having a life-threatening allergy such as after being stung by a bee or any other insect.

Immunotherapy

This is the final way to manage allergies, and it’s often used as the last resort after all of the other methods have failed. You have to visit an allergy clinic Germantown MD where the doctor administers several injections or places tablets containing an allergen under the tongue.

The reason why this is known as therapy is because it’s done over several years forcing your body to get used to the allergen hence the body doesn’t react to the allergen when exposed to it, and as a consequence, you don’t develop allergy symptoms.

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Do Hot Showers Help With Asthma?

Posted on December 27, 2020 by ManassasAllergist

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If you suffer from asthma, you know how important it is to take your asthma treatments as prescribed by your doctor. While it’s vital to take the medication, managing asthma isn’t only about drugs.

If you have been looking for natural ways to ease asthma symptoms, you must have come across information that showers can help with asthma.

Do hot showers help with asthma? Many people suffering from asthma find the warm air in the hot showers soothing as it clears out the mucus that makes it hard to breathe.

While this is the case, some people find that the heat makes asthma worse so you should be cautious before stepping into the hot shower. If you get into the shower and you find your situation getting worse, get out.

Are there other natural ways to ease asthma symptoms?

If the hot shower doesn’t work for you, don’t fret as there are plenty of other ways you can ease the symptoms. They include:

Exercise

Exercises strengthen your lungs so they can ease the symptoms and at the same time, they can be a trigger if exercising in the cold. Before you get into a new exercise routine, talk to your doctor so you know the things you should watch out for and the medication to use during the exercises.

You also should work your way up slowly. Start with walking, jog, then run. You should be cautious of the weather. If it’s cold out, cover your mouth and nose when outdoors. If you can exercise indoors, don’t go outside.

Eat foods rich in antioxidants

Foods rich in antioxidants help fight inflammation including inflammation in your lungs. Some of the best foods to eat are sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and others.

When taking the food, be cautious of those containing sulfites as they are known to trigger asthma symptoms in some people. The foods to be cautious about include: pickles, dried fruit, shrimp, and wine.

Take in some vitamin D

With many people working indoors most of the time, most are low in vitamin D. How can you increase vitamin D in your body? One of the best ways is basking in the sun. Experts show that the best time to bask is early in the morning.

When you are out, remember to use sunscreen. Also, don’t stay outside for too long as this can increase your chances of getting skin cancer.

If you have a demanding job and you can’t spend time outdoors, ask your doctor to test your vitamin D levels. If you don’t have enough, take foods rich in vitamin D. These include: eggs, bony fish, and milk.

Grab a caffeinated drink

When you are coughing, having trouble breathing, or wheezing, it’s recommended you reach out for an inhaler, but what if you don’t have one? A caffeinated drink will do, especially if the symptoms are mild.

Caffeine is a weak bronchodilator, so it opens up the airways. Some studies also show that it helps the lungs work better for up to 4 hours.

Strike up yoga posses

When you are stressed, all the muscles on your body tense up, including those in your chest which worsens your asthma. To reduce the flare-ups, engage in yoga that is known to manage the tension.

Other activities you can engage in include: tai chi and meditation.

Watch your weight

Weight around your chest and belly makes it harder to breathe. The fat cells also can cause inflammation that may affect your airways.

To reduce the flare-ups, work on keeping your weight low. You can hit the gym or engage in cardio exercises as simple as walking. You also should cut back on calories such as staying away from sugar, potatoes, and other starchy foods.

Stay away from allergy triggers

Studies show that many people with asthma also have allergies that often worsen their condition. Common allergies are: pet dander, dust mites, pollen, and many others.

The next time you are in the clinic, ask your asthma doctor to test you for allergies. Your doctor will refer you to an allergist Germantown MD who will test your condition and find out the exact allergens you are sensitive to.

Obviously, to keep your asthma under control, stay away from allergens you are sensitive to.

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What Are The 4 Types Of Allergic Reactions?

Posted on November 29, 2020 by ManassasAllergist

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Allergic reactions are exaggerated sensitivities that come about when you come into contact with an allergen, and your immune system responds abnormally to it. The reactions are often common and happen seconds to hours after contact with the allergen.

Although most of the reactions are mild, some are dangerous or life-threatening, so it’s recommended you see an allergy doctor whenever you have an allergic reaction, regardless of its nature.

What are the 4 types of allergic reactions?

The classification of the allergic reactions was done by two British immunologists: Gell and Coombs. And they categorized allergic reactions as type I, II, III, and IV.

The first three categories are known as immediate types as they occur within 24 hours of exposure to the allergen. Type IV occurs after 24 hours; hence the name delayed allergic reactions.

Would you love to know more about the reactions? Here they are:

Type I or Anaphylactic reactions.

These reactions result from an antigen cross-linking with membrane-bound IgE antibodies of Basophil or mast cell. Serotonin, bradykinin, histamine, and lipid mediators such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes are released during the reaction.

These released substances often have the potential to cause tissue damage.

Most common types of type 1 allergic reactions include: allergic dermatitis, bronchial asthma, allergic conjunctivitis, allergic rhinitis, allergic shock, and allergic dermatitis.

Allergic shock is the most severe form of a medical emergency as it can lead to a life-threatening respiratory failure. People suffering from the condition often have extreme breathing problems, low blood pressure, swelling, shock, and bluish skin.

Type II or Cytotoxic reaction

These types of allergic reactions are mediated by IgM and IgG antibodies. In these reactions, the antibody reacts directly with the antigen bound to the cell membrane hence inducing cell lysis through complement activation.

The most common types of cytotoxic reactions are blood transfusion reactions, Rh incompatibility of a newborn, and autoimmune diseases such as autoimmune hemolytic anemia, Pemphigus Vulgaris, Goodpasture’s syndrome, and Bullous Pemphigoid.

Type III or immunocomplex reactions

These are also mediated by proteins, i.e., IgG and IgM antibodies. These antibodies react with the allergen to form immunocomplexes (antigen-antibody complexes) responsible for the reaction.

The active complement results in activatin and PMN chemotaxis. PMNs then release tissue-damaging enzymes.

Type III reactions are common in Arthus, serum sickness, and lupus reactions.

Type IV or cell-mediated reactions

As mentioned above, these reactions are also known as the delayed type of hypersensitivity, and they happen at least 24 hours after exposure to the allergen. In most cases, the reactions take 48-72 hours or longer to appear after you have come into contact with the allergen.

The reactions are initiated by T-lymphocytes and mediated by macrophages and T-cells. The response involves the interaction of antigens with the surface lymphocytes.

According to experts, most long term infectious diseases such as fungal infections and tuberculosis belong in this category. Certain skin sensitivity reactions, especially those involving metals, also belong here.

Hypersensitivity key takeaways

To drive the message home, here are 5 things you should take away from the various types of allergic reactions:

  • Type I and III are mediated by antibodies, while T cell lymphocytes mediate type IV.
  • Type I hypersensitivities involve IgE antibodies that initially sensitize someone to an allergen and provoke a quick inflammatory response upon further exposure. The most common types under this category are allergies and hay fever.
  • Type II hypersensitivities involve binding IgG and IgM antibodies to antigens on cell surfaces. This triggers a series of events that lead to cell death. Common types of reactions under this category are hymolytic diseases and hemolytic transfusion reactions.
  • Type II reactions are a result of the formation of antigen-antibody complexes that settle on tissues and organs. In an attempt to remove these complexes, the underlying tissue is also damaged. The most common examples under these categories are rheumatoid arthritis and serum sickness.
  • Type IV hypersensitivities are regulated by T cells and are delayed reactions to antigens associated with cells. Chronic asthma, tuberculin reactions, and contact dermatitis are the most common types under this category.

You should note that any type of hypersensitivity has the potential to turn lethal, so visit an allergy clinic Manassas VA and have the condition diagnosed and treated.

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Allergy Testing: How to Test For Allergies At Home

Posted on October 31, 2020 by ManassasAllergist

What do people do when they suspect they have an allergy? They go for allergy testing. The popular form of testing is going to an allergy clinic and the allergy doctor undertaking a battery of tests to determine the allergy you are suffering from.

With people now, working from home, isn’t the idea of testing for allergies at home a viable one?

How to test for allergies at home

You start with getting an IgE-testing kit from your store and then getting a small blood sample from your fingertip. You should then pour the blood sample into the kit, and the kit will identify the IgE antibodies in the blood and give results depending on whether you have heightened sensitization to the antibodies or not.

As you take the test, you should know that having a high sensitization doesn’t mean you are allergic. When you are suffering from allergies, an allergic reaction comes about when you contact an allergen.

But when you are sensitized, you can come across the same substance several times without developing allergy symptoms. In rare cases, you will have allergic reactions in some people showing sensitization.

What should you do after the home allergy test?

The test results you get can only give you an indication of your body’s reaction to specific allergens. To tell the exact allergens you are allergic to, you have to get the results interpreted by a doctor.

Like all allergy blood tests, there are chances of the tests having false positives or negatives. A false positive means the test detects a response to an allergen even though there is none. On the other hand, a false negative means the test doesn’t pick up a reaction to an allergen.

Regardless of the results you get, don’t make a move, such as starting on medication or changing your diet. Let a doctor see the results, and he/she will advise you on the next step to take.

Limitations of home allergy tests

While home allergy tests help you pinpoint the cause of a reaction by looking for specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies, it comes with its fair share of limitations that include:

You don’t always get accurate results.

Most home allergy kits don’t test for obvious allergies. For example, some kits won’t test for specific IgE antibodies, so the results don’t reflect the actual allergy.

Other tests measure immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies instead of IgE antibodies, which doesn’t reveal the true allergy you are suffering from.

You may be intolerant but not allergic.

This often occurs in food allergies. When most people notice they are being bothered by certain foods, they rush to conclude that they are allergic to that food. And true to their suspicion, the tests show they have some sensitivity levels to the food in question.

This can be a false-positive as, in most cases, you aren’t allergic to the food. To tell whether you are truly allergic to a certain food, you must undertake a skin or blood test measuring specific IgE responses.

You still need expert interpretation of the results.

The main reason why people opt for the home tests is they want to avoid visiting hospitals, but even if you take the test, it’s hard to understand the results as an amateur, so you are forced to hire a doctor to help you interpret them.

The good thing is the doctor will also advise you on the next measures to take to bring the condition under control. For example, if you are allergic to a given food, they will let you know the foods to avoid, among many other things.

Is allergy home testing right for you?

Home testing gives a hunch you could be having allergies, but it doesn’t give conclusive reports of the allergy you are suffering from. You have to consult an expert allergist Manassas VA for this.

There are plenty of allergy testing kits in the market you can go for. Before you invest in any product, consult your doctor about the best brand to go for.

We would discourage you from testing for allergies at home. Instead, visit a reputable clinic, and the doctor will professionally test your condition and recommend the best allergy treatment.

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