Testing for Allergies
Studies show that about 50 million Americans have allergies with children suffering the most. Two in every five children are allergic to something. Some allergies are complex while others are straightforward. Any person who has an allergy can avoid allergens.
Here are some of the most common allergens to avoid:
- Certain foods such as peanut, milk, eggs, etc.
- Insect stings and bites
- Pollen
- Dust mites
- Pets or animal dander
- Mold spores
- Drugs
- Plants
- Cold
- Latex
An allergist can test for all these allergens.
People respond differently to different allergens. Reactions with the skin, sinus, respiratory mechanism, eyes, and the digestive tract are common.
Here are the most common signs of an allergic reaction:
- Sneezing
- Itchy skin
- Itchy and teary eyes
- A runny nose
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Wheezing sounds
- Breathing difficulties
- Skin redness and swelling
- Rashes
- Nausea and vomiting
- Problems swallowing
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Who is at risk?
Children who have one or more parents who have an allergy
The probability that children who have two allergic parents will develop an allergy is 60-80 percent. When one parent has an allergy, the likelihood drops to 30-50 percent, which is still high. Parents can visit an allergy doctor for kids Lubbock for allergy testing.
People living with pets at home
Pets are good, but the animal dander is a potentially hazardous allergen. If you live with pets at home, visit a pediatrician in Lubbock for testing.
People living in places that have questionable indoor air quality
Staying in a dirty place exposes you to mold spores, dust, and animal dander. If you want to take care of the people around you who have allergies, ensure that you clean well and test the indoor air quality. If you have allergic children living with you in the house, go for child allergy treatments Lubbock.
What to know about allergies
Most allergies are manageable
If you know that you have an allergy, you can take the right medication to prevent the situation from escalating. However, the allergist will guide you on how to avoid irritants. For example, people who are allergic to animal dander should not stay with pets.
Untreated allergies can be fatal
Every year, there are more than 2 million emergency room visits related to allergies.
What to know about testing
Testing can help you avoid risk factors
If you don’t know your child has an allergy, you more than likely will not be cautious. If by mistake your child takes something that they are allergic to, they may have a reaction that can be fatal. Information about your allergy profile is essential, especially at an early stage.
Anyone can test for allergies including small children
The best time to test for allergies is when you are a child. Once you know your risk factors, you can visit a child allergy treatments Lubbock for care and management. Testing helps the doctor understand all the risk factors associated with your allergies.
Many people know only the most common allergens. Our allergy doctor for kids Lubbock can advise you on the many allergens that you probably didn’t know existed.
Testing for allergies are normal hospital procedures
When you visit a general allergist or pediatrician in Lubbock, he or she will conduct a normal allergy test. A prick to the skin is enough. The pain from the prick should be subtle. Once the doctor introduces the allergens in your body, a reaction will occur if you have an allergy. The doctor will conduct several tests to rule out each allergy class.
An allergist can do skin and blood tests to test for different allergies
In special circumstances, a skin prick is sufficient to do most of the tests. In case you have a skin condition that makes it impossible to visualize possible reactions, the doctor will use a prick. A prick will show the results within 30 minutes.
If you are taking medicine that can prevent allergies, the doctor might decide to use a blood test instead. The blood work can take longer for blood tests.