By now, many of us are well aware of our bodies as far as allergies go. But, as we age, our bodies change and that includes the things that we are allergic to. If you find yourself taking allergy medicine a little more than usual or if you experience a flare after eating something you’re “not allergic to,” it might be time to visit an allergist.
Most times, when we talk about getting tested, it’s for things like sexually transmitted illnesses, mental illnesses, or sleep disorders. But, we rarely talk about getting tested for allergies. So, it’s very common for someone not to know such testing exists. But, luckily for us, it does.
Allergy symptoms occur when your immune system overreacts to something that is harmless to most people but triggers a reaction in anyone sensitive to it (also known as an allergen), according to the American College for Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI).
Symptoms
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“The release of histamine can cause a variety of symptoms, including a skin rash, headache, sneezing, runny nose, swelling, nausea and diarrhea. The most severe reaction, known as anaphylaxis, can be life-threatening,” according to ACAAI.
Some of the most common allergens include pollen, dust, animal fur, mold, insect stings and a host of delicious foods like nuts, shellfish, and dare I say… chocolate!
According to ACCAI, “If the allergen is something you breathe in, your reaction will most likely affect your eyes, nose and lungs. If the allergen is something you consume, you’re more likely to have symptoms in your mouth, stomach and intestines.”
When to Get Tested
If you have a cold that’s sticking around longer than usual, it’s possible that you could be sneezing and having a runny nose due to an allergen and not a cold.
These are other times you should consider seeing an allergist, even if you have a full stock of Benadryl on hand:
- Your experience chronic sinus infections or nasal congestion
- You experience hay fever or other allergy symptoms for long periods of time
- You find little relief from antihistamines and over-the-counter medications
- Your allergies make day-to-day activities more difficult
- You think you may have asthma, but have not been diagnosed
- You have difficulty breathing
- You experience wheezing or coughing at night or during exercise
- You often feel short of breath or tightness in your chest.
- You have been diagnosed with asthma, consistently taking your asthma medication, but still have frequent asthma attacks
Schedule an appointment with an allergist if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms.
