Allergy-Disease

Overview

Allergy disease is any condition that affects your body’s defense system such as

• Allergies are your body’s reaction to a substance it views as a harmful “invader.”
• An “allergic reaction” is the way your body responds to the allergen. A chain of events occur that result in an allergic reaction.
• If you are prone to allergies, the first time you’re exposed to a specific allergen (such as pollen), your body responds by producing allergic (IgE) antibodies. 
• Allergic is a wide variety of substances – including pollen, animal dander, mold and dust mites.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of Allergy disease may include:

• Common symptoms of an allergic reaction include:
  • sneezing and an itchy, runny or blocked nose (allergic rhinitis)
  • itchy, red, watering eyes (conjunctivitis)
  • wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath and a cough.
  • a raised, itchy, red rash (hives)
  • swollen lips, tongue, eyes or face.

Are you at risk for allergy disease?

Factors that can put you at increased risk for allergies disease are:

• heredity, sex, race and age

Diagnosis

There are various tests used to diagnose allergy disease. The doctor may start by asking

• Personal and Family medical history
• Current and past symptoms
• Laboratory tests and an electrocardiogram.

Based on the results of the assessment and tests, further tests may be required

Laboratory Tests

Allergy Skin Testing 

 An allergen is a substance that can cause an allergic reaction. There are 2 methods for skin testing: prick skin testing and intradermal skin testing.

 Blood tests

Blood tests are also used to investigate certain other disorders of the immune system including angioedema (swelling episodes), chronic urticaria (hives), and primary immunodeficiency disorders.

Spirometry (Lung Function Tests)

This is a type of lung function test that we use to specifically evaluate for asthma. Asthma often occurs in individuals who have allergies. Individuals who report symptoms or have exam findings that are suspicious for asthma will require spirometry.

Food Challenges

This is performed in selected individuals to confirm a food allergy or to determine if they may tolerate a food that they are currently avoiding.  Due to the risk of developing an adverse reaction, all food challenges are performed under physician supervision.

Drug/medication Challenge

This is performed in selected individuals to confirm a drug allergy or to determine if they may tolerate a drug that they are currently avoiding. Due to the risk of developing an adverse reaction, all drug challenges are performed under physician supervision.

Aspirin Desensitization

This procedure is performed in selected patients who have aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease or AERD  a condition that is characterized by aspirin or NSAID-induced respiratory reactions in patients with underlying chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma, rhinitis, sinusitis, and/or nasal polyps.

Patch Testing

This is used to evaluate for an underlying trigger/agent in individuals who develop contact dermatitis. Examples of contact dermatitis is the development of a rash after wearing certain metal jewelry or using a certain skin care product.