What is an allergy?
An allergy is a chronic condition involving an abnormal reaction to an ordinarily harmless substance called an allergen.
Allergens can include aeroallergens such as dust mites, mold, tree weeds, and grass pollen. 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. This substance is known as an allergen.
Symptoms
If you have an allergy, your immune system views the allergen as an invader and a chain reaction is initiated. White blood cells of the immune system produce IgE antibodies. These antibodies attach themselves to special cells called mast cells, causing a release of potent chemicals such as histamine. These chemicals cause symptoms such as:
Runny nose, post nasal drip, sneezing, congestion, coughing
Watery (red, itchy, swollen) eyes
Headaches, ear congestion or frequent ear infections, frequent sinus infections, loss of taste and smell,
Low productivity/poor concentration, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and snoring
Diagnosis
To evaluate whether you have an allergy, your doctor will likely:
Ask detailed questions about signs and symptoms
Perform a physical exam
Have you kept a detailed diary of symptoms and possible triggers
Your doctor might also recommend one or both of the following tests:
Skin test:
A doctor or nurse will prick your skin and expose you to small amounts of the proteins found in potential allergens. If you're allergic, you'll likely develop a raised bump (hive) at the test location on your skin. Skin testing is considered the gold standard for allergy testing.
Blood test:
Specific IgE (sIgE) blood testing, commonly called radioallergosorbent test (RAST) or ImmunoCAP testing, measures the amount of allergy-causing antibodies in your bloodstream, known as immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. A blood sample is sent to a medical laboratory, where it can be tested for evidence of sensitivity to possible allergens. While ImmunoCap testing has improved over the years, false positive and false negative reactions are common.
If your doctor suspects your problems are caused by something other than an allergy, other tests might help identify — or rule out — other medical problems.
Treatment
Allergy treatments include:
Allergen avoidance. Your doctor will help you take steps to identify and avoid your allergy triggers. This is generally the most important step in preventing allergic reactions and reducing symptoms.
Medications. Depending on your allergy, medications can help reduce your immune system reaction and ease symptoms. Your doctor might suggest over-the-counter or prescription medication in the form of pills or liquid, nasal sprays, or eyedrops.
Immunotherapy. For severe allergies or allergies not completely controlled by other treatments, your doctor might recommend allergen immunotherapy. This treatment involves a series of injections of purified allergen extracts, usually given over a period of a few years
Emergency epinephrine. If you have a severe allergy, you might need to carry an emergency epinephrine shot at all times. Given severe allergic reactions, an epinephrine shot (Auvi-Q, EpiPen, others) can reduce symptoms until you get emergency treatment.
Additional Allergy Information
Why is allergy testing performed?
Allergies affect more than 50 million people living in the USA, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. Inhaled allergens are by far the most common type. Seasonal allergies and hay fever, which is an allergic response to pollen, affect more than 40 million Americans.The World Allergy Organization estimates that asthma is responsible for 250,000 deaths annually. These deaths can be avoided with proper allergy care, as asthma is considered an allergic disease process.Allergy testing can determine which particular pollens, molds, or other substances you’re allergic to. You may need medication to treat your allergies. Alternatively, you can try to avoid your allergy triggers.
What causes an allergic reaction?
Hundreds or even thousands of ordinary substances can trigger allergic reactions. These are called "allergens." Among the most common are plant pollens, molds, household dust (dust mites), animal dander, industrial chemicals, foods, medicines and insect stings.
An allergic reaction may occur anywhere in the body, but usually appears in the skin, eyes, lining of the stomach, nose, sinuses, throat and lungs -- places where special immune system cells are stationed to fight off invaders that are inhaled, swallowed or come in contact with the skin.
What is allergy season?
People with seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever) only experience symptoms during the time of year when certain allergens are in the air outdoors. When most people talk about allergy season, they’re referring to springtime, when plants bloom and pollen counts soar. However, summer is the season for grass and weed pollen allergies, and autumn is the time for ragweed and mold allergies. During the winter months, cedars in the American Southwest and other parts of the country dump large amounts of pollen in the air. Perennial allergies, or year-round allergies, are typically caused by indoor allergies to dust mites, mold, cockroaches, and pet dander.
What happens if my allergies go untreated?
Allergies can be the underlying cause of frequent sinus, ear and upper and lower respiratory tract infections. Untreated allergies can even exacerbate or cause asthma; The Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology states that "Approximately 80 percent of all asthma in children and half of all asthma in adults is caused by allergies."
Allergies are responsible for symptoms that may make it difficult for you to concentrate, or they may cause sinus headaches both of which can result in a loss of productivity. This loss of productivity can filter into your work, school and home life. Don't let your allergies control you. Take control of your allergies!