It's what happens when your immune system reacts to something that’s usually harmless. Those triggers, which doctors call "allergens," can include pollen, mold, and animal dander, certain foods, or things that irritate your skin.
Allergies are very common. At least 1 in 5 Americans has one.
Your symptoms depend on how you’re exposed -- through the air, your skin, food, or through an insect sting.
If you’ve got a nasal allergy (one that's triggered by something you inhale), common symptoms include:
If an insect sting was the trigger, you’ll have swelling, redness, and pain where it stung you.
Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Most go away shortly after the exposure stops.
Mild ones may be almost unnoticeable. You might just feel a little “off.”
Moderate symptoms can make you feel ill, as if you’ve got a cold or even the flu.
Severe allergic reactions are extreme.
In general, there is no cure for allergies, but there are several types of medications available -- both over-the-counter and prescription -- to help ease and treat annoying symptoms like congestion and runny nose. These allergy drugs include antihistamines, decongestants, combination drugs, corticosteroids, and others.
Immunotherapy in the form of allergy shots or pills under the tongue, which gradually increase your ability to tolerate allergens, are also available.
If you have watery eyes or a stuffy, runny nose, you could have a cold. But if you feel bad only when you're outside, are near pets, or eat certain foods, you could have an allergy.
Some people with allergies sneeze a lot or get rashes or hives that may or may not spread to other parts of their body. But others can have such a bad reaction that they have trouble breathing and need medical help right away.
It's good to know if you have allergies so you can stay away from the things that trigger them -- called allergens -- and get medicine if you need it.
If you have an allergy that isn't easily relieved with over-the-counter medications, or if you think you might have a food allergy, you'll see a doctor who specializes in allergies called an allergist. They'll ask questions about your health and any family history of asthma or allergies. They'll also examine you and recommend a few tests to find out for sure.
Skin Tests
The most common way to test for allergies is with a skin test. That's because it gives the fastest, most accurate results.
The one doctors use most often is called a scratch test. A doctor or nurse will put a tiny drop of an allergen on your skin, usually on the inside of your arm or on your back. Common allergens include mold, pollen, pet skin and fur, foods, and some medicines.
Next, they'll prick your skin or make a small scratch on the surface to let the allergen get underneath it. The skin prick won't make you bleed. You'll feel it, but it shouldn't hurt. Some doctors use a small needle to put the allergen under the first few layers of your skin.
The doctor will probably test several things at the same time. If one of the areas swells up and gets red like a mosquito bite, it means you're allergic to that allergen. It usually takes about 15 minutes to find out.
When the test is over, the doctor or nurse will clean your skin and put some cream on it to help with any itching. Any swelling from a reaction usually goes away within 30 minutes to a few hours.
Some medicines can get in the way of the tests. Check with your doctor to see if you need to stop taking any medication before the test.
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