Types of Allergy Tests

Like most people, you ca probably recognize the things that can trigger your allergies. With that knowledge, you learn to avoid those things even before getting allergy testing Somerset county NJ. This enables you to pinpoint the problem to receive proper treatment.
Types of Allergy Tests
Typically, your doctor or an allergist may identify your triggers through several different allergy tests.

• Skin testing – most widely used to find what is causing your allergies. Different methods may apply, but each one involves exposing your skin to small amounts of substances to observe your reaction over a period of time.
• Blood tests to measure the presence of IgE antibodies that are specific to allergy triggers. Your body produces antibodies to fight allergens, or invaders.
• Other tests the allergist may perform will eliminate certain allergens from your environment. At some point, they are reintroduced to see if you have a reaction.

Common Food Allergies
If eating, inhaling or coming into contact with certain foods causes a sensitive reaction, you could be allergic to those foods. Exposure to even tiny amounts of allergens in the foods can bother you. Some reactions to the allergens can range from very mild to life-threatening.
An increase in food allergies has occurred over the last 10 years. This is largely attributed to tree nut and peanut allergies. In addition, other common food allergies for adults may include:

• Crustaceans such as crabs, lobster, shrimp)
• Fish
• Fruits
• Mollusks such as clams, mussels and oysters
• Vegetables

Children may also have allergic reactions to wheat, soybeans, cow's milk and hen's eggs.

Treatments for Allergies
Generally, no cure for allergies exist. However, there are several over-the-counter and prescription medications that can treat symptoms that annoy you. Containing antihistamines and decongestants, these allergy drugs can help to ease runny noses and decongestion. Other drugs that may also be helpful contain corticosteroids.

Some common over-the-counter allergy medications are Zyrtec, Benadryl, Claritin, Allegra and Dimetapp. Your doctor may prescribe Clarinex or Xyzal for oral consumption. You may also receive prescriptions for a nasal antihistamine spray and antihistamine eye drops.

Also available are allergy shots. Gradually, your ability to tolerate allergens increase when you receive these shots regularly.

People who have a history of serious reactions to allergies may be prescribed an injector known as an EpiPen. If your doctor or allergist prescribes this for you, it is a good idea to carry at least two with you at all times. An immediate injection will ease your allergic reaction after exposure to an allergic substance.