How to determine an allergy or not. We determine the type of allergy and the exact diagnosis of the symptoms. What can the attending physician do

In Russia, every third adult and every fourth child suffers from allergic diseases, the frequency of which is steadily increasing. After reading the article, everyone will be able to independently recognize the type of allergy in a child and find out which list of tests the doctor in the clinic should prescribe for you.

Types of allergies in children by type of allergen and depending on age

Allergy is an unusual (increased) sensitivity of the body to the effects of certain factors. environment(chemical substances, microorganisms and products of their vital activity, food products etc.), called allergens.

An allergen is a substance of an antigenic or hapten nature that can sensitize the body and cause an allergic reaction.

With allergies, the allergen in the body causes a violent reaction of the immune system. As a result of this, disturbances in the work of various organs can develop and inflammation occurs in the body.

Why do some children develop allergies and others do not? Often the cause of the development of this disease is a genetic predisposition. As can be seen from the chart below, the greatest risk of developing an allergic disease exists in children whose parents or close relatives suffer from this disease. However, even babies who do not have allergic relatives can suffer from it.

The risk of developing allergies in children depending on heredity

Different types of allergies manifest themselves in different ways. In addition, infants and children older than a year have a different course of allergic reactions. The table below will help determine the type of allergy by its manifestations.

How to understand that your child has an allergy, and not something else: manifestations, symptoms, signs and diagnoses

In order to seek qualified help from an allergist-immunologist in time, parents need to notice the manifestation of allergic reactions.

The table below will help you recognize the symptoms of an allergy in a child and not confuse them with signs of another illness.

Which doctor to go to for signs of allergies: a list of allergen tests and determining the type of allergy

To diagnose allergies and identify allergy-provoking substances (allergens), you should contact a pediatrician who will refer the child for examination to an allergist-immunologist. This specialist will conduct an examination, take an anamnesis and prescribe tests.

When making a diagnosis, the doctor will ask the parents about the peculiarities of their child's diet, the presence of pets and other factors that may lead to an allergic reaction. Also, the allergist may invite parents to fill out a questionnaire, an example of which is given below.

To finally confirm the allergy, the doctor may prescribe a number of examinations:

• complete blood count (to determine the number of eosinophils);
• skin allergy tests;
• immunological blood tests (for the determination of IgE, IgG, IgE).

To conduct allergy tests, small scratches are made on the skin of the inner side of the forearm and allergens are dripped into them. And after 20-30 minutes, the specialist evaluates the body's reaction to the injected allergens by redness of the skin in the area of ​​​​allergy tests. Such studies can be carried out on household, pollen, epodermal (causative agents are animals), fungal (often associated with the use medicines) allergens.

After receiving the results of allergy tests and blood tests, the doctor will determine the type of allergy in the child and prescribe treatment. Depending on the type of allergic reaction, it can be diet, adherence, antihistamines, etc.

Correct diagnosis of allergies is the first step on the road to recovery. But what are the treatments for this disease? What main reason development of allergies in children? Answers in the article.

Establishing the source of an allergic reaction at home is possible by trial and error, which can turn into a life-threatening condition.

Doctors are armed with a lot of ways on how to find out the cause of an allergy in a more reliable way, without playing a fortune teller. For example, skin test methods, which are divided into the following types:

• trick testing - with the help of an injection;
• scarification study - the allergen is applied when the skin is scratched;
• intradermal test - the suspected substance is injected with a syringe.

These types of examinations are carried out by examining the skin of the forearm after contact with a small amount of purified allergen.

How to find out what you are allergic to in the most informative way? Allergists use provocative testing. The essence of the technique is to place the allergen directly into the hypersensitive organ. With a primary reaction from the eyes - a provocateur is injected into the conjunctival sac, in the case of allergic rhinitis - into the sinuses, with asthmatic manifestations - the allergen is inhaled using an inhaler. Such a study of the patient's condition when interacting with a source of allergy requires the presence of a physician who can, if necessary, provide emergency assistance.

How to find out if there is an allergy?

Allergy manifests itself on any skin, it can “mask” as a runny nose, and the duration of the painful condition lasts from a couple of minutes to several days.

How to find out if there is an allergy? First of all, you need to remember the signs of the development of the disease:

• redness, feeling of pain in the eyes, lacrimation;
• rashes on various parts of the skin, accompanied by itching (urticaria, eczema, etc.);
• stool changes, nausea;
• constant, dry type cough mainly at night;
• pulmonary rales, a state of suffocation;
• sensation of a lump in the throat, perspiration and itching;
• prolonged nasal congestion with clear, watery discharge;
• swelling of certain parts of the body, more often of the face / eyelids;
• paroxysmal sneezing for no apparent reason;
• soreness in the joints.

These phenomena are of a protracted, chronic nature, aggravated in the presence of an allergen. For example, with the accumulation of dust at home, the patient's painful symptoms increase. Only properly done cleaning brings long-awaited relief.

How to find out if there is an allergy with medical help? A consultation with an allergist is never superfluous. It can be very difficult to independently identify, and indeed to understand whether you have an allergy, can be very difficult. Initially, the doctor collects data on the alleged allergic manifestations based on your words. Next, a special examination is prescribed - skin testing, which helps to establish the cause of unpleasant symptoms. If necessary, conduct a blood / sputum test, check the respiratory function, X-ray diagnostics chest and nasal sinuses. After that, the doctor can draw conclusions about the presence of the disease.

How to find out why allergies?

Most of us do not like to go to the hospital and try to identify the cause of the allergy on our own.

How to find out why allergies without leaving home? This can be done with special tests available at pharmacy kiosks. One drop of blood is enough to get laboratory-equivalent results. An increased sensitivity to the allergen will be indicated by a plus on the test strip, if there is no reaction, a minus will appear. The duration of the study of each suspected substance takes half an hour.

You can also try to avoid contact with the suspected allergen. Relocate pets, do a thorough cleaning if you notice signs hypersensitivity to wool. In the case of a decrease or complete elimination of painful symptoms, you will have to forget about the animals in the house.

The situation is more complicated with babies up to the age of two. The child's immune system is still developing, so laboratory diagnostic methods are ineffective, even erroneous. How to find out what the allergy is in such a situation? If there is a sensitivity to any product, parents are encouraged to keep a food diary. It is important to write down each product and the reaction of the baby in it. Thus, allergic reactions to food can be avoided. If a painful manifestation is noted for several types of products, you should first cancel all of them, and then introduce the diet one at a time, carefully observing the reaction. Similar advice applies to adults as well.

Even if you got to the bottom of the true cause of your uncomfortable condition, still consult an immunologist. A specialist will help you choose the right treatment for your specific situation, while self-therapy can only aggravate the situation and lead to chronic diseases.

How to find out what you are allergic to? - an important question, but this is only the first step in a comprehensive medical intervention, including: preventive measures, reducing the strength and frequency of recurrence of attacks, immunocorrective programs.

Allergy is a hypersensitivity of the human immune system to certain substances - allergens. These can be mold and fungus, various synthetic food and non-food nutritional supplements, natural products ( essential oils, fruits, natural dyes), animal hair, dust, poplar fluff, UV exposure, flowering plants, insect venom, metals and many other direct and indirect factors.

The symptoms of allergies to different irritants are basically the same. These are hives, runny nose, itching, swelling, pain in the eyes and tearing, headache, sneezing, indigestion and many others. But there are also differences, because various types Allergies are more or less characterized by certain signs.

Knowing them and being able to recognize the first manifestations of an allergic reaction is very important for maintaining health. Allergy is a serious problem of mankind, often having devastating consequences for the body if treatment is not started in time.

The first signs of allergy in adults may appear immediately after eating, drinking, or otherwise exposed to an allergen, or they may occur only when a critical amount of antigen accumulates in the body (as happens with an allergy to metals).

Types

As mentioned above, an allergic reaction can occur immediately (10-30 minutes) or later, slowly (after 2 hours or 2 days). The first type includes urticaria, hay fever (hyperreaction of the immune system to pollen), bronchial asthma, Quincke's edema, anaphylactic shock.

The delayed type includes several subspecies (cytotoxic, immunocomplex) of allergy, which manifests itself in the form of hemolytic anemia, myocarditis, contact dermatitis, rheumatoid arthritis. A delayed reaction occurs with the use of a number of drugs.

Causes

The causes of an allergic reaction lie both in the direct effect of hyperallergenic substances on the body, and in the predisposition of the person himself, his immune system to respond to stimuli.

Possible allergens

Allergens are:

• pollen and other parts of wild and indoor plants, especially during the flowering period: ambrosia, poplar fluff, wormwood, hazel, many coniferous, cereal, meadow herbs, ferns, geranium, azalea, hydrangea, cyclamen, ficus;
• mold spores (especially aspergillus fungus, which can also develop in the ground from the garden, pots of indoor plants, and in decaying leaves);
• drugs (penicillin, aspirin);
• cat hair, waste products of dogs, hamsters;
• metals: nickel, cobalt, chromium, mercury, iron, molybdenum and others;
• animal products and plant origin: red, orange fruits, vegetables, smoked meats, seafood, fish, eggs, spices, milk, cheeses, some nuts, oatmeal, bee products;
• alcohol with impurities of dyes, stabilizers and other chemical compounds;
• ultraviolet combined with salt water, cosmetics, medicines, bleach from the pool;
• room, book dust, in which mites can live;
• smells of food, plants, chemicals;
• insect bites (bees, wasps, mosquitoes, ants).

Allergen enhancers

Individual intolerance, weakened immunity, a hereditary factor, a related history (allergies in relatives) can enhance the effect of allergens. Intolerance to certain foods may be due to lack of enzymes (eg, lactose, sucrose).

But in principle, almost all foods except salt and sugar can become carriers of allergens.

Excessive alcohol consumption along with a large snack is also an aggravating factor in alcohol and food allergies, since alcohol increases intestinal permeability and undigested proteins, toxins enter the bloodstream, enhancing the effect of allergens.

With hypersensitivity to UV radiation, salt water, cosmetics, bleach, skin peeling can act as an amplifier, as a result of which it becomes even more sensitive.

Non-allergenic triggers (strong, irritating odors, high humidity, cigarette smoke, cold, polluted air) can also increase the effect of allergens.

First signs

The time of appearance of the first signs of allergy is from 2 minutes or hours to several days or even weeks. Although usually after ingestion or other direct contact with the pathogen, an allergic reaction occurs immediately.

The body reacts faster to food, alcohol, pollen, wool, mold than, for example, to metals that the skin interacts with when wearing jewelry, belt buckles and other accessories.

At the same time, one of the most common types of allergies, food allergies, food additives are the most difficult to deal with, since even the minimum dose of allergens can be found in any product.

To stop the action of the allergen, it is important to immediately abandon a particular drink, fruit, confectionery, food additive.

The first signs of an allergy:

• incomprehensible skin rashes and severe itching in these places;
• cough, sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose for no apparent reason and temperature;
• itching in the nose, eyes, mouth (considered the undisputed first sign of an allergy in adults);
• diffuse, limited edema for no reason (Quincke's edema);
• tearing.

All these manifestations appear as if suddenly, for no reason. Therefore, in order to determine that these manifestations are really signs of an allergy in adults, analyze what you ate, what you were in contact with the day before (animals, plants, cosmetics, detergents, dust).

Remember if these signs appeared earlier, if they are connected with the season, cleaning, working in the garden (garden), buying new jewelry. With likely allergic symptoms, a photo of the first signs on the Internet can help in self-diagnosis.

If you find these signs, it is better to immediately consult a doctor to avoid the manifestation of more serious symptoms.

Symptoms

The main symptoms of allergies in adults differ depending on which part of the body, body system has been exposed to the allergen: skin, digestive, endocrine, circulatory system, respiratory organs, mucous membrane of the eyes, nose.

The strength and duration of the impact of the aggressive component on the body also matters. But even under similar external conditions, the reaction of each person is individual, and the symptoms of the same type of allergy can vary greatly from person to person. In addition, they can be both local and general.

To find out what symptoms of an allergy to alcohol, fruits, vegetables, food of animal origin in adults, check out the following list:

• skin rashes;
• itching in the mouth, numbness of the tongue, loss of taste;
• rhinitis;
• nausea, vomiting and other signs of gastrointestinal upset.

The same symptoms plus headache, dizziness, depression, nervousness, breathing problems, sneezing, tachycardia, pressure drops can also occur when particles of chemicals contained in cosmetics, hygiene products, fungal spores, wool and pollen, and various protein compounds are ingested. .

When the skin comes into contact with allergens (dust, pollen, ultraviolet, cleaning), the characteristic manifestations of signs of allergy are dermatitis and dermatosis. When allergens come into contact with the respiratory tract, rhinitis, asthmatic symptoms, and sneezing appear.

With pollinosis, the respiratory system is affected (sneezing, nasal congestion, suffocation), the mucous membrane of the eye (symptoms of conjunctivitis).

With insect bites, a rash appears, itching in the eyes, squeezing in the chest, throat, rash.

Hypersensitivity of the immune system to metals is manifested primarily in the form of contact dermatitis, urticaria. The same can be said about allergies to sunburn, the sun.

Asthma is a serious and dangerous allergy symptom. It is associated with shortness of breath, coughing, suffocation.

The worst manifestation of an allergy is anaphylactic shock, in which histamine is released from body tissues. At the same time, blood pressure decreases, pulmonary edema, and heart failure are observed. If you do not enter a dose of adrenaline, a fatal outcome is possible.

Diagnostics

It is sometimes possible to independently identify the allergen by the method of elimination. For food allergies, eliminate the most consumed foods from the diet for at least 5 days, and see if the symptoms disappear.

Then, one by one, return suspicious foods to the menu, but eat them in their pure form.

For allergies to household chemicals, jewelry, dust, fungus do the same: do not wash things with a certain powder, do not brush your teeth with this or that paste for a while, do not wear a belt with a metal buckle, then carefully try to return one of the alleged allergens to everyday life.

If after using one of them or other contact with a source of skin irritation, an unreasonable runny nose (communication with a cat, for example), the allergy resumes, permanently blacklist it.

Before you start treating allergy symptoms, consult an immunologist, an allergist, go through all the necessary allergy tests (blood test, skin tests).

The allergist needs to provide both his own and related history, mention cases of allergies in parents, grandparents, since the tendency to allergies is inherited, but its causative agent, symptoms may vary.

Treatment

With signs of allergy in adults, treatment should be individual, comprehensive and based on the exclusion of contact with the allergen.

With specific signs of allergy in adults, symptomatic treatment is indicated, relieving the manifestations of rhinitis, urticaria, conjunctivitis, and seasonal fever. So, to relieve inflammation, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids are prescribed. They have a decongestant, antipruritic, sedative, anesthetic effect.

But sometimes an allergy manifests itself as a result of diseases, any malfunctions of the nervous, endocrine system, so it is necessary to treat not only its symptoms, but also this root cause.

The most common in the fight against allergies are antihistamine sedatives (Tavegil, Diphenhydramine, Suprastin) and non-sedative (Trexil, Gistalong, Semprex, Fenistil, Claritin) drugs and active metabolites (Zirtek / Cetrin, Telfast).

Preference should be given to the second and third groups of drugs. Metabolites (especially Telfast / fexofenadine) are the safest and most effective, do not cause side effects.

Antihistamines can be used orally, intranasally (for example, Azelastine for rhinitis), in the form of eye drops (Levokabastin, Ketotifen, Azelastine), in the form of topical ointments (Polcortolon, Advantan, Fenistil gel).

A good effect is given by immunotherapy (careful contact with a substance that provokes an allergy, in gradually increasing doses), due to which blocking antibodies are produced in the body, as a result of which it no longer shows a hyperreaction to allergens.

Desensitization is used in the treatment of symptoms of allergies to pollen, insect poisons, dust, fungus, wool, animal excrement, penicillin. Food desensitization is not recommended.

The homeopathic preparation Lymphomyosot, the dietary supplement Fitosorbovit-plus can also help.

Before calling a doctor with a severe attack of allergies, you need to take Activated carbon and drink more water.

Allergy should not be started, even if it manifests itself periodically, like an allergy to pollen, poplar fluff.

Folk remedies

Reference books folk medicine contain many tips on how to relieve allergy symptoms. But remember that herbalism itself can be the source of a new allergic reaction. Therefore, use the following recipes only after detailed consultation with your doctor.

It is believed that mummy helps with allergies (1 g of the substance is diluted in 1 l warm water and drink 100 ml once a day (or twice with severe symptoms).

A strong solution of mummy (1 g per 100 ml of water) can be used to lubricate the rash.

Drinking infusions of nettle, celandine, celery, freshly squeezed juice of this root crop also alleviate allergy symptoms. A fresh decoction of a string is very useful for allergy sufferers, which you need to drink constantly instead of tea, coffee.

To prevent severe allergy attacks, always carry antihistamines with you. Ensure a healthy atmosphere in the house: eliminate mold, remove allergenic flowers from at least the bedroom, clean systematically, but without chemicals, do not mess with the ground with decaying leaves, stay away from animals.

For seasonal allergies associated with flowering plants, upon returning home, gargle with water with the addition of motherwort, valerian. Take frequent contrast showers.

Allergy can be considered as a combination of various disorders in the body, which are combined into a single pathology.

Sensitivity to allergens can occur against the background of heredity or mental state - factors leading to the development of many diseases.

The number of people susceptible to hypersensitivity to allergens is increasing every year.

Almost every third person at least once experienced an allergic reaction to a particular substance. How to identify an allergy modern methods diagnostics, you will learn from this article. Allergic reactions are directly related to the human immune system. In response to the introduction of foreign agents, the body produces immunoglobulins that stop the action of microorganisms.

However, with increased activity of the immune system, antibodies can be produced for completely harmless substances. As a result, a person suffers from a runny nose, conjunctivitis or skin itching. Allergies can be different - food (eggs, chocolate), seasonal (pollen bloom), household (dust), etc.

Potential allergens include chemicals, food, animal dander, and many other elements that people come into contact with on a daily basis. Normally, the skin and mucous membranes of the body are a barrier to the penetration of allergens.

Therefore, the immunopathological process must necessarily be due to certain factors, as a result of which the irritating effect of the substance occurs. Therefore, when asking how to determine an allergy, one must first of all identify the cause that results in an allergic reaction.

Factors contributing to the occurrence of an immunopathological reaction:

• hereditary predisposition. Thanks to modern research, genes have been identified that are responsible for enhancing the body's immune response. According to statistics, if one of the parents suffers from an allergic reaction, then the risk of an allergy in a child increases. If both mother and father suffer from pathology, then it is possible to predict allergies in their children by approximately eighty percent.
• Professional activity or life. If a person is in contact with substances that can be potentially dangerous for a long time, then after a while a pronounced response of the body may occur. For example, a person who works with chemicals, medicines, etc. is at risk of developing allergic dermatitis. At home, dust can become an allergen if the premises are rarely wet cleaned.
• Bad habits. Inhalation of cigarette smoke disrupts the integrity of the mucous membranes respiratory tract, as a result of which various foreign agents penetrate the protective barrier, causing the corresponding reaction of the body. Alcohol, in turn, poisons the body with toxins, as a result of which an autoallergy can occur, in which the cells of the immune system destroy the body's own cells.
• Infections. If a person often suffers from colds, sinusitis, tonsillitis, laryngitis and other infectious and inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract, then pathogenic microorganisms are constantly present in his body. This situation causes the immune system to work in an enhanced mode, which ultimately leads to a violation of its functions. Of particular danger in this regard is hemolytic streptococcus, which has a structure similar to the cells of some human organs. The struggle of immune cells with this microorganism as a result turns into an autoallergy.
• Poor quality cosmetics and household chemicals. Some cleaning or body care products may contain harsh chemicals that can penetrate the skin and cause an immune response in the body. It can be either a harmless dermatitis or a more formidable reaction - Quincke's edema.
• Products. A number of products contain substances that, when used regularly, can provoke an immunopathological process. The most common allergies are seafood, eggs, citrus fruits. But products and additives that have synthetic substances are more dangerous.
• Vaccination. Failure to comply with the timing of administration and exceeding the doses of vaccines can lead to a severe allergic reaction caused by a powerful immune response of the body.

The most common symptoms of an immune response to allergens include a runny nose, watery eyes, and hives. The latter is expressed in the formation of a rash on the skin in the form of itchy blisters. In infants, allergies can be observed in the form of prickly heat.

The most dangerous manifestations of allergies are bronchial asthma, anaphylactic shock or Quincke's edema. Bronchial asthma is expressed in attacks of suffocation, and Quincke's edema is characterized by rapidly increasing swelling of the mucous membranes and subcutaneous tissue. Anaphylactic shock is manifested by nausea, vomiting, loss of consciousness and depression of cardiac activity.

Why are allergy tests so important?

The immunopathological process needs to be diagnosed and treated in time, since further contact with the allergen can cause serious consequences for the body. Allergen testing is necessary for reasons such as:

• Confirmation of the diagnosis, because the symptoms of allergies are similar to other diseases of infectious etiology.
• Identification of allergens in order to exclude contact with it in the future, which will stop the allergic reaction.
• Identification of factors provoking the development of an immune response to an allergen.

Diagnosis of allergic diseases: a review of research methods

In the treatment of allergies, it is important to identify provoking substances. For this, various diagnostic measures are carried out.

Tests for the detection of allergens are taken in the allergological department of clinics. There are different methods for diagnosing allergic diseases.

Which one to choose is determined by the doctor after examining the patient. Allergens are detected by examining skin reactions or blood tests.

Samples are divided into types:

• Provocation. The patient is injected with a small dose of the allergen and the reaction of the body is observed.
• Direct study. Allergens are detected using skin tests without the introduction of an allergen.
• Indirect test. The allergen is injected under the skin, and then a blood sample is taken and examined.

If a person has a sensitivity to a certain substance, then the skin will become inflamed upon contact with the allergen. Thus, you can find out which of the alleged substances is a provocateur of allergic reactions.

There are several types of skin tests:

• Scarification (cuts, scratches). It is performed on the area of ​​the forearm where allergens are applied (no more than fifteen), and then small incisions are made in these places. If the skin at one or more incisions has become swollen, then these substances provoke an immune response.
• Application. Strips with allergens are applied to the skin of the hand and fixed with a plaster. The reaction to substances is observed for two days. If it manifests itself within a few hours, then we can talk about the immunocomplex type of reaction, and if after a day or more - about a delayed one.
• Injection. They inject substances under the skin and observe the reaction of the body.

With any immune response, specific antibodies are released into the blood. To detect allergies, the blood is examined for the presence of IgE antibodies in it. At the same time, the alleged allergens are not introduced into the patient's body, all studies are carried out after blood sampling.

Blood for the test is taken from a vein. Next, the serum is separated from it and the material is placed in test tubes with allergens. If there are antibodies to the substance, then they come into contact. In the case of a positive response, the person is confirmed allergic status.

There are two research methods:

1. Multiple allergosorbent test. A fluorescent dye is added to the studied materials, due to which a luminescent glow occurs. The result is determined by a photograph of the material.
2. Radioallergosorbent test. A radioactive isotope is added to the test tubes. The detection of the result is carried out in a special apparatus.

The results are interpreted by the level of IgE antibodies. If it is within the normal range, then there is no allergy. A slight excess of indicators indicates the presence of an immunopathological process. If the level of antibodies is very high, then this indicates a strong allergic reaction. After confirming the diagnosis, the doctor prescribes treatment: prescribes antihistamines and talks about preventive measures.

Text: Evgenia Bagma

Pets, citrus fruits, plant pollen, house dust... How do you know what you're allergic to? How to identify the "criminal" and protect yourself and loved ones from an insidious allergic reaction? Alas, in most cases, only by trial and error.

Laboratory methods for the determination of allergens

Today, doctors have many methods in their arsenal, how to find out what you are allergic to, so if possible, it’s better not to guess on the coffee grounds and not take risks. So, for example, skin tests are used, in which purified allergens are injected in small quantities into the skin of the forearm. There are three types of skin tests - trick test (prick test), prick test ( upper layer the skin is scratched under a drop of the allergen), intradermal test (injection of the allergen with a syringe).

The most informative are provocative tests, in which allergens are introduced into the shock organ - i.e. in the organ that is most affected by allergies. So, with allergic conjunctivitis, the allergen is instilled into the lower conjunctival sac, with allergic rhinitis - in the nose, with bronchial asthma the allergen is inhaled through an inhaler, when the test is carried out with a piece of ice, in case of heat, a bottle is placed on the skin of the forearm with hot water, to diagnose food allergies, the patient is given a product that is a possible allergen, and a test is performed for the number of leukocytes. Exposure provocative tests involve placing the patient in conditions where possible allergens can act. In other words, provocative tests are a kind of laboratory trial and error: the patient is given or injected with a suspected allergen and checks the reaction to it, excluding or confirming the allergy.

Detection of allergies at home

How to find out what you are allergic to if you do not want to see a doctor or you do not have such an opportunity? Today, in pharmacies, you can buy tests for diagnosing allergies and at home. Blood is taken from the patient and applied to a special test strip. So, if a reaction to some allergen is detected, a plus appears on the strip, if there is no reaction, a minus appears. The result of each test is known within 30 minutes. But, of course, it is better to take a blood test for specific allergens in the laboratory - they will be more informative and correct than those carried out at home.

The rest - not laboratory - methods for detecting allergies imply the independent exclusion of certain alleged allergens. So, if you suspect a reaction to animal hair, you should temporarily transport pets, vacuum and process the room. If after a while the allergy symptoms pass, then, most likely, pets will have to be abandoned. Allergies can be caused by house dust and mites contained in it (about 150 species). Regular wet cleaning and air purifiers can alleviate or completely eliminate symptoms.

It is known that in the first years the baby's immune system is only being formed, therefore various analyzes for allergens in a child under 2 years old are not very informative. How to find out what the allergy is in this case? In the case of food allergies, it is recommended to keep a food diary, which would record the foods consumed and the reaction to them. When possible allergens are identified, they are completely excluded from the diet, and then gradually, one at a time, they are introduced, observing the reaction. These recommendations are relevant for monitoring allergic reactions in both children and adults.

Allergy is not a reason to guess and speculate. Even if you have identified allergens yourself, consultation with an immunologist is still necessary. Do not let such a serious condition of the body take its course, and even more so - do not self-medicate.