Allergies can manifest themselves in a wide variety of ways, and as a result, many patients don’t even realize that they are suffering from them. The best way for patients to find out their unique allergic triggers and begin to find relief from their symptoms is to undergo an allergy test. Just knowing when to schedule a test requires at least a basic understanding of common symptoms, though.
Allergic Rhinitis
More commonly known as hay fever, allergic rhinitis is an extremely common form of seasonal allergies. Its most common symptoms are sneezing, runny or stuffy noses, itchiness around the nose, eyes, or mouth, and conjunctivitis.
Food Allergies
Food allergies cause sometimes quite severe reactions, but not everyone suffering from food allergies experiences its most serious symptom, anaphylaxis. Some food allergies cause hives, while others cause swelling of the face or throat. Minor allergies may cause nothing more than a tingling in the mouth, but that doesn’t mean they should be ignored.
Insect Stings
Bees, wasps, and other stinging insects are another common cause of dangerous allergies. Symptoms of an insect sting allergy can range from large areas of localized swelling to the development of hives all over the body. In serious cases, coughs, tightness in the chest, shortness of breath, or even anaphylaxis can also result from insect stings.
Drug Allergies
Drug allergies are often difficult to diagnose, as they cause a variety of symptoms. Dermatological symptoms range from itchy skin to rashes, hives, and swelling. Serious drug allergies can also cause wheezing and anaphylaxis.
Atopic Dermatitis
This skin condition, which is also referred to as eczema, is an allergic reaction that causes a patient’s skin to itch, peel, and become red. There are effective treatments for eczema, but the first step toward finding the right treatment is to determine the cause of the allergy.
Get Started Today
The first step toward treating any type of allergy is to understand its source. The type of doctor most qualified to perform appropriate tests and offer relevant medical advice is an allergist. Patients can click here for information about one local allergist who can help, or call to schedule an appointment for testing today.