Allergies are the symptoms and responses you feel when your immune system reacts to a foreign substance such as pollen, pet dander, or certain foods. When your immune system is triggered, it produces antibodies that attack the allergen that it has labeled as harmful, even though in most cases it is not. This reaction can inflame your skin, sinuses, airways, and digestive system which is the cause of the swelling, itchiness, discomfort, and pain you may experience.
The severity of allergic reactions can vary dramatically from person to person. From a minor irritation to anaphylactic shock, which is a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. While most allergies cannot be cured, it is important to be aware of these reactions in your body in order to avoid those allergens and symptoms more easily.
Track Your Max in Webster, TX has a wide spectrum of tests including allergy panels for food allergies & sensitivity, indoor allergies, and outdoor allergies.
Food Allergies
Like other allergies, when you have a food allergy, your immune system mistakenly identifies a specific food as something harmful. In response, your immune system triggers cells to release an antibody known as immunoglobulin E (IgE) to neutralize the allergy-causing substance.
These IgE antibodies sense the allergen and signal your immune system to release a chemical called histamine into your bloodstream. These chemicals cause allergy symptoms.
The majority of food allergies are triggered by proteins in:
- Crustacean shellfish, such as shrimp, lobster, and crab
- Peanuts
- Tree nuts, such as walnuts and pecans
- Fish
- Chicken eggs
- Cow’s milk
- Wheat/Gluten
- Soy
Indoor Allergies
Indoor allergies are triggered by allergens found in the home or other indoor locations. Common indoor allergies include mold, dust mites, pet dander, and even cockroaches. Indoor allergies are usually seasonal and more difficult to avoid in some cases. Still, the allergic reactions can be just as serious as any other allergy.
Outdoor Allergies
Outdoor allergies have triggers that exist primarily outdoors. Common triggers include different types of grass, trees, and ragweed pollen as well as mold.
While outdoor allergies have a different set of allergens than indoor allergies, their symptoms are often similar.
Some of the most common outdoor allergy symptoms include:
- Runny nose
- Nasal congestion
- Itchy eyes
- Sneezing
- Stuffy nose
- Scratchy throat
- Coughing
It is also very common for these allergies to be seasonal because of the pollination seasons and weather conditions in different seasons. If you start to notice any of these symptoms after spending time outside, they could be signs of an outdoor allergy.
Food Sensitivity
Food sensitivity or food intolerance is often a non-life-threatening inconvenience that can cause some uncomfortable symptoms. Food intolerances affect your digestive system. People who suffer from food sensitivity, cannot digest certain foods. Common symptoms include gas, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
Food sensitivity is not the same as a food allergy as there is no immune system response to food sensitivity. Instead, most symptoms are based in your stomach and occur a few hours after eating the trigger food.
Common foods that people find difficult to process include:
- Lactose: Lactose is a sugar found in milk and dairy products. People who are lactose intolerant do not make enough of the lactase enzyme to break down lactose.
- Histamine: Histamines are naturally occurring chemicals in foods like cheese, pineapples, bananas, avocados, and chocolate. People who are histamine intolerant don’t make enough diamine oxidase enzyme to break down this chemical.
- Gluten: Gluten is a protein in wheat, rye, and barley. Those with gluten intolerance have a harder time digesting gluten.
The physicians and consultants at Track Your Max in Webster, TX dedicate themselves to providing essential services to people who are taking their health seriously. Our team of professionals can help provide you with data and understanding of your own body and refer you to the correct healthcare provider to meet your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
An allergy test does not hurt. A comb-like device gently pricks or abrades your skin surface during testing. Once complete, results take approximately 15 minutes to show up as a raised, red bump similar to what would occur during a mosquito bite if positive test results appear.
An allergy test usually takes approximately 30 minutes to administer and 15 minutes for results to come back – providing quick answers on why allergies might exist in your life.
Adults and children over two years can be tested for allergies. This testing can be especially helpful for individuals suffering from allergic asthma, allergic pneumonitis, conjunctivitis, undiagnosed coughing fits, skin irritation from eczema (atopic dermatitis), runny nose syndrome (rhinitis), sinusitis or allergic urticaria (hives) / angioedema (similar to hives but underneath the skin).
You will be tested for the most commonly encountered, geographically specific, seasonal and perennial allergens in our area. This may include dust mite products; proteins from pet hair and dander; pollen from trees, grass and weed pollens; mold spores ; as well as mold spores or cockroach allergens. We also test for a range of food allergies. Please note that nut alllergy testing is administered separately as a blood test..
Allergen immunotherapy, commonly referred to as allergy shots, is a method for decreasing your sensitivity to allergens such as pollen. Immunotherapy involves gradually introducing increasing quantities of an allergen over a prolonged period.
Immunotherapy treatment duration varies based on individual needs; typically lasting one to three years in total but symptom relief often being seen within one year of therapy; studies have also demonstrated lasting benefits when patients complete three to five years.
Results may take anywhere between three months to six months for immunotherapy to produce relief for allergies.
For maximum accuracy in allergy testing, discontinuing antihistamine use at least three days or more (depending on the medication) prior to testing should ensure you get accurate results. You may resume use once your test results have been assessed or once immunotherapy therapy begins; these restrictions do not need to be maintained.
One in five people suffer from allergies that cause symptoms ranging from minor discomfort to severe disability, affecting productivity levels at work or school as well as days off taken off due to allergies. Immunotherapy aims to decrease or eliminate such allergies.
Yes, immunotherapy has proven itself effective at alleviating allergies for most of its users. They usually experience either an impressive decrease in symptoms or complete cure of their allergy condition.
Most health plans provide coverage for allergy testing and immunotherapy services. Before we administer any tests, we will verify your benefits with your insurer to ensure maximum efficiency.
Immunotherapy has been demonstrated to be between 89% and 95% effective and has even been found to prevent asthma in some instances.
Your physician will select allergens based on an assessment and the reaction they cause when tested against seasonal and perennial allergens that you have been exposed to in the past.
Sticking to your immunotherapy schedule will ensure you reap maximum rewards from this therapy program.
Yes, Immunotherapy should be performed all year-round for maximum effect, as limiting it to just the spring and summer won’t allow your immune system enough time to adjust to allergens that cause symptoms. Regular immunotherapy injections should be given throughout the year for long-term benefits of this therapy.
