What is the best way to determine what I am allergic to?

Question

I just became allergic recently and never have been affected by allergies before in my life. Going on about 2 months now with cough, headache, sniffles, general lethargy. Benedryl only thing to work so far, but makes me sleepy. Any help to help me figure out what I am allergic to from you allergy veterans?

Answer 1

Umokay: Allergy is a chronic condition. That means it cannot be cured, but it can be controlled. Allergy is caused by a defect in the immune system. Your body is mis-identifying benign (harmless) proteins as enemy invaders. It is causing the human immunoglobulin E to be produced and this results in the immune system producing histamine. It is the histamine that caused the sniffles and cough and itchy watery eyes. It can also affect your skin (eczema) and breathing (asthma) and result in death (anaphylaxis) if not controlled. The only true way to determine those proteins to which you are allergic is to undergo simple skin testing or if your skin is in bad shape due to allergy, a blood test called the RAST test can be performed. You can contact an allergist or immunologist for this testing. Once you have identified the offending proteins (they will call these your triggers) then you can avoid them. Once you avoid the triggers, the symptoms go away. I personally was misdiagnosed years ago with Chronic Fatigue when in fact it was allergy. So contact an allergist or immunologist and get that testing appointment. In the mean time, if Benadryl gives you a problem try Loratadine. It is the active ingredient in Claritin and Alavert. You will need to stop taking the antihistamine several days before you undergo the testing for the best results. As an example of how to avoid some common allergens, I am including a link on how to set up a dust free room as well as a link to a page that talks about avoiding pet allergens. This will give you an idea about environmental control.

Answer 2

Allergies can come from many different things, and cause different symptoms in every person. One of my sons is allergic to milk, he gets runny nose and lasts for days if he drinks milk. While my other son can't have orange juice because it gives him a chronic stuffy nose. I have seasonal allergies and have headache, lethargy, sinus pain with no runny nose! Get the picture. Basically, if you have seasonal allergies it could be the weather if you started eating something new could be that, too. A new pet maybe? That can be a problem also. I would first get checked out by a doc because your allergies could have already caused a sinus infection, If you don't have an infection then your doc can prescribe something that doesn't make you drowsy. Or you can try Claritin, they sell it over the counter keeps my problem under control without making me drowsy. Try Claritin-D for a week then start regular Claritin that should keep you well.

Answer 3

Allergies can come at any time of your life and to things that you previously had no problem with. Since this started a couple months ago, I would look at what came into my life at that time.. A new house..or new down comforter....a new pet or a new body product with fragrance...maybe a new laundry detergent or fabric softener. Or have the filters for your furnace or air conditioning unit been changed? That's a biggy! Needs to be done monthly. Or if you have a damp area in the house due to a plumbing leak it will grow mold and that is a powerful allergan. In the meantime get some Ocean saline spray, and spray your sinus cavities to rinse out the pollen or dust. You can use it several times a day.

Answer 4

The 1st step is to test what is upsetting your system & why.
Quickest & pain-free is kinesiologst. Just book the one diagnostic appointment, then take time to decide next move once you know what you are dealing with.
I suspect your 2nd step may be homeopathy to treat allergies. But get tested 1st. You will do well, because you have caught this early & not let it fester, so your chances of a full recovery are very good.

:)

Answer 5

There are so many things you could be allergic to. It is best
to go to an allergy specialist and let them test you for all of the
most common things that one can be allergic to. They can pin
point the things with the test where you will have to eliminate and guess and may never find the specific cause.

Answer 6

My son has many sensitivities to foods (tried the allergist route and was told he has no allergies). When he eats certain things (grapes, milk, beef, melons...) he gets diarrhea. We have gone to a naturopath who has helped him clear some of his allergies. You have to be open to alternative therapies to go to a naturopath and it is NOT covered by OHIP (my benefit package covers a portion though.) Good luck finding a solution.

Answer 7

Yep, I went to at least one as soon as. Not simplest does the experiment let you know what you are allergic reaction to, but additionally how powerful as good. (They would ***** your again and, if it swells, then you recognize you might have an allergic reaction.)

Answer 8

get a blood and skin test. go to your doctor.