The best way to deal with allergies is to identify the
trigger and avoid it if possible. The only way to know what's causing your
allergies is to take a test. There are several types of allergy testing in San Antonio TX, each with advantages and disadvantages.
What is an
allergic reaction?
Your immune system has a number of complex processes
to respond to foreign invaders like bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Sometimes
that system can mistakenly identify something friendly as malicious, triggering
those responses inappropriately. Although there are many types of allergic
reactions, this is the basic premise.
These immune responses range from a runny or itchy
nose to watery eyes to complete anaphylaxis, making it difficult or impossible
to breathe and even fatal without treatment.
According to our experts at Advanced Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology Center
, allergic reactions can also
cause swelling of the skin, hives, nausea, vomiting, and more. The most common
types of allergies are allergic rhinitis and food allergies, which we will
discuss below.
If you are considering a trusted clinic for cosmetic treatment in Texas, visit us at Advanced Allergy, Asthma,
& Immunology Center!
Food Allergy
In susceptible people, allergic reactions to seafood,
nuts, dairy products and other foods can cause symptoms such as anaphylaxis -
the rapid onset of swelling in the airways and difficulty breathing requiring
immediate medical attention. Anaphylaxis is very serious and can even be fatal.
One study estimates that approximately 26 million American adults are allergic
to at least one food. People can also be allergic to insect stings, bee stings,
and certain medications like penicillin. There are a number of treatments for
allergy symptoms, including nasal sprays for allergic rhinitis and epinephrine
pens for food allergies. However, the best way to deal with allergies is to
avoid contact with the source of the problem. To do this, an allergy testing in San Antonio TX is required.
Types of
allergy tests
If you must use any of the following tests, knowing
your medical history through the allergens report can help you have a better idea of which test to choose.
Blood Test
A simple blood test at Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Center, also called a serum IgE test, is often used. IgE is the
molecule your body makes when you are allergic to something, and each IgE
molecule is specific to a particular allergen. The lab will mix your sample
with one or more known allergens to determine if your IgE molecules react with
it. Sometimes, you might also be asked to consider PCN testing!
However, these panel tests are expensive and are not
routinely performed. A healthcare professional will most likely opt for this allergy testing in San Antonio if they don't know what
triggered your allergic reaction or if they suspect you may be allergic to more
than one thing.
Skin tests
There are several allergy skin tests available. The
most commonly used is the skin prick test, also known as the scratch test. In
this test, a small amount of a suspected allergen is placed on a small needle
and then punctured or scratched into the top layer of the skin. If a bump (or
lump) has developed on the skin after about 15 minutes, this is an indication
that you may be allergic to that substance.
If you are looking for allergy testing in San Antonio TX, visit us at Advanced
Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology Center!
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