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Facts Related To Allergies And Its Diagnosis
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Posted On :
Dec-12-2009
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Article Word Count :
488
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Allergy is very common and there is hardly any person who is not allergic to something or the other. Sneezing, running nose, red eyes, itchiness, rashes etc are the common symptoms of allergy. This hyper sensitive reaction usually occurs when you come in contact with the causing agents of allergies known as allergens.
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Allergy is very common and there is hardly any person who is not allergic to something or the other. Sneezing, running nose, red eyes, itchiness, rashes etc are the common symptoms of allergy. This hyper sensitive reaction usually occurs when you come in contact with the causing agents of allergies known as allergens. The identification of the specific allergen that causes the uncomfortable symptoms generalized as allergy is not an easy task owing to the fact that the allergies can be caused by anything in the world. Thus tests for allergies fall short due to the numbers involved.
Nevertheless there are ways devised by medical science that narrows down the group of allergens based on the set of questions asked before carrying out specific tests for a specific patient. A doctor would be able to help in diagnosing your allergy and providing medications for symptomatic relief on this basis. Apart from this once the allergen has been identified, avoiding it would keep you safe and away from an allergic attack.
Steps In Diagnosis
The diagnosis of allergy begins with an enquiry session with the patient where the patient is asked a set of questions. This is done to determine the group of allergens that could cause the symptoms of allergy in the patient. The questions vary from medical history, genetic disposition to diet followed and medicines taken.
The patient is subjected to skin tests after this. Skin tests are divided into three types, the patch test, prick test, and intra-dermal test. In the patch test, a foreign agent is kept on skin and covered. Many allergens are simultaneously patched on the skin at one time. The skin under the patch shows irritation if it is allergic to the particular allergen. In the prick method, a drop of each allergen to be tested is put on the patient’s back and this is pricked into the skin with a needle. Irritation occurs if patient is allergic to substance. The intra-dermal test method also uses similar technique as prick method but the substance is injected into the top layer of skin for testing reaction.
Sometimes blood tests are also carried out for allergen detection. This proves to be useful in cases of eczema and related skin allergies. The test is called Radioallergosrbent Test and is used to determine outgrowth of particular food allergies. The blood tests are ideal in determining the severity of allergy and which is done by measuring antibodies present in the body. An insight into allergies is also provided by performing a complete blood count (CBC) of the patient.
Apart from these main tests there are others like elimination test, spirometry, and double blind food challenge etc which are used in determining the allergen. Finding out the causative agent of allergy is the most daunting task in its diagnosis. Once the allergen is identified, the treatment is easier.
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Article Source :
http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Facts Related To Allergies And Its Diagnosis_6890.aspx
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Author Resource :
A doctor may need to carry out a number of tests in order to make correct allergies diagnosis. These tests essentially include the skin tests, the results of which precisely define the process of allergies diagnosis and treatment.
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Keywords :
Allergies Diagnosis, Allergies Treatment, Allergies Prevention,
Category :
Health and Fitness
:
Health and Fitness
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