A surprising percentage of people are sensitive to one or more substances. This sensitivity may range from slight irritations to very severe, even life threatening reactions. When a negative reaction to some materials is suspected, doctors would usually recommend allergy testing in Austin. These tests will identify the specific substances that cause the adverse reaction and appropriate steps can then be taken.
People react in many different ways when exposed to allergens. In some mild cases, hay fever and irritation of the throat and mucus can occur, but in severe cases extreme pain, swelling, respiratory failure, rashes and even epileptic fits. Some allergens, such as dust and pollen are airborne, but the most severe reaction is normally experienced when certain foods and medications are ingested. Insect stings can also cause severe reactions.
There are many agents that act as allergens, and these materials do not affect everybody that comes into contact with it. There are two basic risk factors that could cause the problem. Host factors include age, gender and hereditary, with the last being the most common cause. Exposure to infectious diseases during childhood also plays a roll, as do environmental pollution and drastic dietary changes.
It is not possible to treat an allergy unless the cause has been determined. One method to identify allergens is the skin test. A plastic or metal tool is used to create a number of scratches or punctures on the skin of the patient. Small amounts of various suspected allergens are then introduced and the reaction of the patient is then monitored. If the patient is allergic to a specific substance, the relevant puncture will swell or become red.
Blood tests are also regularly used to identify potential allergens, but are not considered of any use in testing for substances that are inhaled. In some cases, patch testing is performed to identify potential allergens that cause skin reactions. In these cases suspected allergens are brought into contact with the skin by means of adhesive patches, and the results are evaluated after a waiting period.
Tremendous advances have been made in the treatment of allergies, but the most common method is still to simply avoid contact with the allergen. Various drugs are used very successfully in the treatment of the symptoms of allergic reactions. These drugs remain a reactive treatment, however, and do not prevent the reaction. In some cases vaccines can be given to immunize patients against some allergens.
Much research in allergic diseases has been done, especially as there is a very sharp increase of this type of disease in developed countries. This increase is ascribed to environmental factors such as increases in pollution but also to lifestyle changes such as lack of exercise and increases stress levels. Adverse reactions to any substance can point toward allergies and allergy testing in Austin should be done as a high priority.
allergy testing Austin
Looking to find the single source of helpful information on allergy testing Austin?