You enjoy life, want to enjoy pursuing different activities and spend time with friends and family --- but your allergies are getting in your way. As you think about how your particular allergies affect your life, you realize how much you miss out on. Once you have addressed this issue, the next thing to do is find ways of handling your allergies so you can go hiking without getting sick.
Types of Allergic Reactions
Allergic reactions take place in all areas of your body --- your respiratory system, stomach, eyes and skin. When you encounter a substance to which you are allergic, you may experience one of several types of reactions. These include hives or itchy rashes, itchy and watery eyes, eczema, seasonal allergies to wind-borne pollens, gastrointestinal symptoms, asthmatic reactions or, at the most severe, anaphylaxis, the University of Rochester Medical Center reports.
When you do not have allergies, your body does not consider certain substances to be life-threatening invaders. You don't get the allergic reactions when you come into contact with latex, pet dander, pollen, shellfish or peanuts. When you are allergic to these substances, your body's immune system reacts too strongly. When this happens, you have to take steps to avoid the trigger substance so you do not become ill.
The Allergy Sufferer
Allergies do not discriminate --- anyone, particularly children, can develop an allergy. If you have not exhibited an allergic reaction to a substance in the past, you can experience an unexpected response the next time you encounter it. If, for instance, you enjoy eating shellfish, the next time you enjoy cooked, peeled shrimp or lobster, you may find yourself becoming ill. While it may take some time and detective work, once you find out you now have an allergy to shellfish, you must pass up the pleasure and watch others enjoy a shellfish meal as you eat something else.
You may have lived with allergic reactions in the past, not knowing the basis of your symptoms. When you talk to your doctor about long-lasting colds or bothersome chest tightness, he may refer you to an allergist, who conducts allergy testing. Once you find out what triggers your symptoms, you can take action to prevent or diminish the symptoms.
Potential for Fatal Reactions
Peanuts, eggs, shellfish, nuts and milk: All of these foods have the potential to stimulate a highly sensitive person's immune system, causing a reaction that can ultimately be fatal. While some reactions present themselves as no more than a mild gastrointestinal upset or skin rash, others can cause the airways to become inflamed and swell, leading to difficulty breathing and respiratory arrest. Foods are not the only culprits; insect stings can also be fatal.
If you know you have an allergy that causes anaphylaxis, you know what you have to do: Completely avoid the substance, read food labels and ask restaurant servers how foods are prepared. If you are allergic to a specific insect sting, you must be careful to avoid these insects and their nests. You also should carry an epinephrine injector pen, prescribed by a physician, in case you eat something containing the substance to which you are allergic or if you are stung by an insect.
Allergy Diagnosis
If your doctor suspects you might be suffering from an allergy, she may refer you to an allergist, who takes a full medical history. The allergist also gives you a full physical, then carries out one of several tests to find out what you are allergic to. These tests include blood testing, to measure the level of immunoglobin E --- IgE in medical shorthhand --- antibodies in your system. Another blood test is the radioallergosorbent test, commonly abbreviated RAST. Another test, the challenge test, is supervised closely by the allergist because you are required to inhale or eat a tiny amount of a suspected allergen. The final test method is the skin test. The allergist pricks the surface of your skin with suspected allergens. This test is more specific than blood testing and the allergist can have results much more quickly.
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