1. Irritating Conclusions
For most people, things like tree pollen and dust don't cause much of a problem. But for people who have developed an allergy to such substances, the end result of exposure is a fight with their immune system. Their body has developed anti-bodies to the allergen and their immune system recognizes these substances as attackers. So the immune response is a full blown attack on the invaders by initiating a flood of histamine.
2. The Answer to What's Bugging You
Sometimes you have allergies and you can't figure out what is causing your reaction. Allergen testing can shed some light on what you are allergic to. Make an appointment with an allergy specialist and she will perform all the necessary tests to determine what your body is reacting to and what it's not. The process starts out as a fairly simple scratch test in which the potential allergen is scraped on the skin. This process is lengthy, but gives you a better understanding of what might be bugging you. You might be surprised as to what you find you are allergic to.
3. Positively Positive
So what is a positive result on the allergen testing? Most doctors will administer the scratch test on a forearm or upper arm, sometimes on the more sensitive inside of your arm. They apply the potential allergen with a small scratching tool and give it a period of time to react. This reaction results in a redness and swelling when it is positive. The doctor then decides if a small injection of the allergen is necessary to confirm the positive result.
4. Anything Could Be an Allergen
Why the body decides to create anti-bodies for a certain allergen is unknown. What we do know is that anything is a potential allergen, even the food we eat every day. Wheat, milk, soy, corn and even chocolate can all cause allergic reactions in some people. Dust is a common allergen with reactions often caused by exposure to dust mites. Another common allergen is pollen. Many people are allergic to different drugs, such as antibiotics. These are only the common allergens; there are many others as well.
5. Allergen Exposure is Serious Business
Some exposures to an allergen can cause anaphylactic shock, leading to swelling of the face, tongue, lips and possibly other areas of the body as well. Be on the lookout for this type of reaction. It is a medical emergency and should be treated as such. Take the person to the emergency room or call for an ambulance immediately.
