Allergists use allergy tests to determine precisely which allergens cause your worst symptoms (sneezing, watery eyes and eczema, for example). You may believe an allergy test isn’t necessary for you if you have a vague idea of what triggers your allergies or experience mild symptoms, but even if you haven’t considered an allergy wellness plan with an allergist, knowing your allergens can unlock treatments you didn’t know could help.
Discover Exactly What You’re Allergic To
Many people with allergies know approximately what they’re allergic to. If your symptoms show up annually in the spring, you’re probably allergic to pollen; if your eyes water every time you touch a cat, you’re probably allergic to cats. But there may be more nuance to these symptoms than you realize.
There are several different kinds of pollen. The main categories are tree, weed, flower and grass, which can be broken down even further (e.g., cypress, acacia, birch). Animal allergies can stem from dander, the microscopic flakes of dead skin they shed from their coats, or from proteins in their urine and saliva.
It is specifics like these that can be discovered by an allergy test. We don’t just test for “pollen”; we test for cypress, acacia, birch, ragweed, bluegrass and more. Having this knowledge can be incredibly valuable in helping you avoid the specific substance you’re allergic to.
Discover an Allergy You Didn’t Know You Had
On the other hand, you may think you know what you’re allergic to, but then find out from an allergy test that you’re allergic to something else entirely. This is much more common than you’d think. Allergens like pollen can often overlap with each other and cause confusion about what’s in the air at any given minute, especially in San Francisco’s microclimates. As with the above, gaining insight into exactly what causes your allergy symptoms can go a long way toward helping you avoid that allergen and prevent flare-ups.
Prevent Allergies from Worsening Over Time
It’s a common myth that you don’t need an allergy test for mild allergy symptoms, but we disagree. Allergies can change over time, even become more severe; something you think you can live with now may evolve into something that significantly impacts your daily life. Stay on top of this by getting an allergy test so you can know the cause of your (mild) allergies and take steps to keep them from worsening.
Determine Your Ideal Treatment Plan
Not all allergy management strategies work for all allergies. And we’re not just referring to major medical treatments like immunotherapy; even choices about small lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications may be influenced by what you’re allergic to. Antihistamines are great solutions for some, but are completely ineffective for others.
And if you do decide to go the route of medical treatment with your allergist, they can guide you through prescription medications or immunotherapy as needed. You’ll have gained a valuable partner in managing your allergies.
If you’re interested in taking charge of your allergy treatment and getting an allergy test, call California Sinus Centers today to schedule an appointment.