1. What other tests are available for allergy testing?
Skin prick or scratch tests, and oral food or drug challenges are usually done by an allergist or immunologist. Your doctor may also try eliminating foods from your diet and may reintroduce them to find out what you are allergic to. It is important that these tests be done under close medical supervision, as a life threatening anaphylactic reaction is possible.
Patch tests are used in the investigation of 'allergic contact dermatitis', and check for delayed reactions to substances which are in contact with the skin, eg fragrance in cosmetics, nickel. These tests are performed by dermatologists.
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2. My allergy test was negative, but I am having symptoms. What else could it be?
You could have an allergy-like condition or intolerance that is not caused by IgE for which there are no specific laboratory tests. Or it could be another disease that is causing allergy-like symptoms. It is important to investigate your individual situation with your doctor's assistance. In the case of bowel symptoms after food, there can be other causes such as coeliac disease, an autoimmune reaction to gluten, or lactose intolerance, caused by an enzyme deficiency.
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3. My allergy symptoms are generally mild. How serious is this really?
The severity of an allergic reaction varies greatly from one person to another. They can be mild or severe, vary from exposure to exposure, get better or worse or not change over time. They may be local or involve the whole body. Although most people cope with their allergy, fatalities can rarely occur, mainly in patients with severe food allergy.
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4. Will my allergies ever go away?
Although children do outgrow some allergies, adults usually do not. Allergies that cause the worst reactions, such as anaphylaxis caused by peanuts, do not usually go away. Avoidance of the allergen and advance preparation for accidental exposure, in the form of drugs such as antihistamines and portable adrenaline injections, is the safest course. Immunotherapy can help decrease symptoms for some unavoidable aeroallergens such as pollens, and this treatment usually consists of years of regular injections. This approach does not work for food allergens.
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5. Why am I told to avoid fresh fruit when my allergy is to tree pollen?
There are cross-reactions between some airborne allergens and fruit proteins. Your body thinks it is detecting tree pollen and creates an allergic reaction to the fruit. This condition is known as the oral allergy syndrome. It is becoming more common, though in most cases is mild, with tingling or a scratch sensation in the mouth or throat.
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