Allergic reactions can be frightening, painful, and unexpected. If you suspect that you have an allergic reaction, it is important to get immediate medical attention. There are many different types of allergic reactions affecting people of all ages. An allergic reaction can develop right from birth or throughout childhood or adulthood. To prevent a life-threatening allergic reaction, consult an allergy testing Duluth specialist to determine the triggers of your symptoms. Allergy testing can help identify specific allergens that cause a reaction. Learn more about five common reactions that often require allergy testing.
- Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is an allergic reaction that can be life-threatening within minutes. Symptoms can include itching, lips, tongue, and throat swelling, difficulty breathing, wheezing, and loss of consciousness. Nuts, eggs, or seafood products can cause an anaphylactic reaction.
You can also develop a reaction from insect bites or stings. If you are uncertain about what triggers your anaphylactic reaction, our doctor might recommend allergy testing to prevent life-threatening health complications.
- Post-operative Reactions
Post-op reactions are allergic reactions that often develop after surgeries and can be life-threatening. They often cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, sore throat, and pain around the incision site.
To avoid developing a post-op reaction, consider getting allergy testing before a surgical procedure. Doing so will help your doctor know what works for you during surgery. Remember to inform your doctor before surgery if you know what triggers your post-operative allergic reactions.
- Allergic Rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis is a reaction that causes itchiness and inflammation in your sinuses. Airborne allergens like pet dander, pollen, or mold often cause these symptoms. There are two types of allergic rhinitis, including seasonal and perennial reactions. Seasonal reactions often occur during certain seasons, such as summer, spring, and summer.
On the other hand, perennial reactions often occur all year round at unexpected periods. To control the severity of your reaction, consult your allergy testing specialist to determine the best treatment.
- Reactions to Medications
Allergic reactions to medications can be very serious and even life-threatening. Allergy testing is often done before introducing new drugs so that patients can know if they react to them. Common symptoms you may experience from a drug allergy include fever, skin rash, itchiness, wheezing, and swelling.
If you suspect you have an allergy to a medication, always ask your doctor about allergy testing before taking it. Doing so will help avoid the potential side effects that might occur after taking any medication.
- Food Allergies
Food allergies are a type of immune reaction. Symptoms often include swelling, itching, hives, and vomiting. These symptoms can be life-threatening if not treated quickly and correctly. Food allergy testing is done through blood or skin tests to determine the type of food causing a reaction.
Food allergies often occur among people who consume foods rich in protein. However, other products such as wheat flour, bread, and other whole-grain foods can also cause a reaction. It is important to avoid foods that often cause an allergic reaction to avoid further severe health complications.
Allergy testing is an important part of your health and is one of the only ways to determine whether you have allergies. The results from allergy testing can help you avoid harmful chemicals, foods, or factors that cause allergic reactions. If you suspect that you might have an allergy, talk with your doctor about testing options that are right for you.
If there is no history of allergies in your family members, it may take several years before you develop any food or chemical sensitivity. Therefore, it is always best to go for allergy testing even when you have visible symptoms.