Allergies occur when your immune system overreacts to substances normally harmless to it, such as pollen, pet dander and mold; airborne allergens like pollen or mold; foods (especially peanuts, tree nuts, fish shellfish and wheat); insect stings; or medications.
Allergies can trigger symptoms including sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes; they may even exacerbate asthma symptoms or contribute to chronic sinusitis.
Know Your Allergens
Pollen, dust mites and pet dander are often the root of runny noses, sneezing and itchy eyes. Mold exposure or contact, insect stings or food can also trigger allergic symptoms – including hives and throat swelling.
If your symptoms do not improve with over-the-counter medication, schedule an appointment with an allergist (an allergy doctor). At your visit, they’ll ask about your symptoms and conduct a physical exam; additionally they may recommend allergy tests like skin prick tests, patch tests or blood tests in order to identify what allergens you’re sensitive to.
Physical examinations can help identify other possible sources of your symptoms, such as sinusitis or the flu. Your allergist will focus specifically on your ears, eyes, nose and throat during their assessment.
An allergy physical examination is the first step to understanding whether seasonal changes are to blame for your allergy symptoms. For instance, if they flare up between spring and fall, tree, grass or weed pollen is likely responsible. You can manage seasonal allergy symptoms by eliminating plant pollen from your home as well as by cleaning frequently with hot water to remove mold spores from it all – plus ensure moldy places like shoes don’t collect allergens like bedding does!
Stay Away From Triggers
No one can completely avoid triggers, but it is possible to limit exposure. One way is to make a plan to address them when they arise. For instance, commuting past hospitals may bring back painful memories; finding another route could be useful here.
Trigger reactions may include heavy breathing, sweating and crying as well as feelings of powerlessness or fear. While some individuals experience physical reactions such as hives or depression or anxiety; their emotional reactions can often remain more difficult to detect. It may take practice before one recognizes when another individual is being triggered as their reactions may be subtle and hard to identify.
Trigger reactions tend to be short-lived. To manage them effectively, practice distraction techniques or mindfulness meditation; such practices can help individuals detach themselves from negative emotions and refocus on the present moment.
Other strategies for dealing with trigger reactions include creating a support network and learning to set boundaries in relationships, so as to avoid situations which cause stress and prevent relapse. Exercise, healthy eating habits, counseling or life coaching sessions and speaking to someone about experiences may also offer relief.
Keep an Allergy Journal or Diary
An effective way to determine what triggers a reaction is keeping a journal or diary that records what foods you eat, any reactions that arise and their duration. For instance, if someone with itchy eczema recently started eating more dairy than before, keeping this diary can reveal whether that specific food was contributing to their rash; or reveal other potential triggers like eggs or peanuts as potential causes.
Your diet diary should include meals, snacks and beverages to identify any possible issues in your diet. Record all information regarding each item eaten as well as any accompanying ingredients using an app or pen and paper; either will help give a clear picture of potential discomfort-inducing foods for both yourself and your doctor.
Bring your allergy journal with you when visiting a medical provider so they can discuss recorded symptoms and potential allergen triggers with you, making it easier to devise a plan to effectively manage allergies and alleviate any discomfort that they cause.
Talk to Your Doctor
As soon as allergy symptoms become out of hand, they can disrupt daily life. If your severe allergies don’t respond to over-the-counter medicines, speak to a healthcare provider who specializes in allergies for assistance. A specialist will conduct tests to identify your allergy triggers and create an effective treatment plan tailored specifically for you.
Allergies can interfere with daily functioning and may impede work, school, family and social activities. People suffering from seasonal allergies may have trouble venturing outdoors during high pollen counts; food allergies make dining out difficult or trying new cuisine challenging – limiting social gatherings to which you could otherwise attend; left untreated allergies can even impair sleep quality leading to fatigue during the day and difficulty focusing during tasks at hand.
When discussing allergy symptoms with your healthcare provider, be as specific as possible. Give details such as where you live, daily activities that impact on the severity of allergies, foods or supplements you take (and smoking or alcohol consumption if applicable), what medications and over-the-counter remedies you are currently taking; including over-the-counter medicines as well as herbal remedies which could potentially interact with them for effective treatment. Your healthcare provider needs this information in order to assess and determine the most suitable course of treatment. Also inform them if any potential interactions might exist with medications taken simultaneously by or other providers – giving them all this knowledge will enable them to plan effective solutions more quickly!
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