Allergies can cause a variety of unpleasant symptoms, including sneezing, coughing, headaches, fatigue, and nausea. On a more serious note, allergies can also be life-threatening. If you think you are allergic to something but aren’t sure exactly what, here are some tips on how to narrow down which allergens are affecting you.
Get Tested
Once of the most common and effective ways to narrow down which allergens are affecting you is to visit a specialist and have him or her administer a skin test. While there are many different methods available, a skin test involves exposing bare skin to a number of substances and potential allergens over a period of time. In some cases, the allergy specialist will also administer a blood test or a combination of both a blood and skin test. They will also consult with you regarding your family’s history to determine whether you are suffering from a genetic or environmental allergen.
Seasonal Allergies
Seasonal allergies, such as “hay fever” or pollen allergies in the spring, can affect people at certain times of the year of even perennially. These allergies will typically manifest in cold or flu-like symptoms, such as sniffling, sneezing, headaches, fatigue, and general discomfort. While some people shrug seasonal allergies off as a normal reaction to environmental change, the fact of the matter is that you don’t have to suffer through even the mildest symptoms of seasonal allergies, as doctors are able to prescribe anti-histamines and other treatments for seasonal allergies. Stop dreading your annual spring cold or flu and book an appointment with your doctor to get the relief you need.
While most people experience only mild or moderate symptoms related to seasonal allergies, some people have severe, even life-threatening, reactions. The most severe reaction is known as anaphylaxis, which can be fatal. Allergies are not something to view lightly, so if you are chronically or even annually ill and think it might be due to allergens, visit a doctor or allergy specialist as soon as possible.
Treating Allergens
Depending on what types of allergens you are suffering from, your doctor or allergy specialist will subscribe prescription or over-the-counter medicines. In some cases, however, your doctor may prescribe immunotherapy or allergy shots. Typically, if you are experiencing symptoms in your throat, eyes, nose and lungs, you are most likely suffering from environmental allergens; however, only an allergy specialist or doctor will be able to help you determine this for sure.Food allergies are also quite common, and can range from mild to life-threatening. Visit your doctor to see if you need to carry an EpiPen® or medication for times when you are accidently exposed to your food allergen. It can be difficult to avoid your triggers, such as peanuts, since peanut oil is a common ingredient in packaged and restaurant foods.
Have a clean home environment
Book a carpet and furnace cleaning each spring as part of your regular home maintenance. Not only does this prolong the life of your carpet and HVAC system, you’ll be clearing out mould spores, improving air quality, eradicating VOCs and other irritants that can trigger your allergy symptoms.
Allergies are no fun but thankfully there are many ways to get relief. You don’t have to suffer through allergy season. Speak with your doctor and a professional, experienced carpet and furnace cleaner so you can breathe easy this spring.