Last Updated on August 20, 2024
This article on allergy tests covers how identifying specific triggers, maintaining a clean environment, and consulting a doctor can help manage and control allergies. The first step to prevention and treatment is to know your triggers.
Imagine, you’re at a dinner party with friends, enjoying the evening, when suddenly, you start sneezing. Not just once or twice, but all the time the same thing, it gets old. Everyone around you gives you these worried, somewhat panicked looks, like they think they’re going to catch something from you. In actuality, they need not concern themselves with an infection, it is simply your allergies. You, along with millions of others, suffer from various allergies associated with dust, foods, pollens, etc.
The Role of Allergen Testing
Identifying the specific substances that trigger your allergic reactions is crucial for developing an effective management plan. It could be pollens, it could be dust mites, it could be certain foods, but once you know what your triggers are, you have the ability to make informed decisions that will lead to a lessened exposure, which in turn will lessen your symptoms.
For example, if pollens from Bermuda Grass (ದುಬು ಹುಲ್ಲು), Timothy Grass (ಟಿಮೊತಿ ಹುಲ್ಲು), or Johnson Grass (ಜಾನ್ಸನ್ ಹುಲ್ಲು) are your allergens, you might choose to stay indoors during peak pollen seasons or use air purifiers at home.
If dust mites (ಮನೆ ಮಸೂರಿನ ಕಿತ್ತಳೆ) or cockroaches (ಆಲೆಮರಿ) are the problem, maintaining clean bedding and carpets can help prevent reactions. The same things with cat (ಬೆಕ್ಕು) and dog (ನಾಯಿ) dander, avoidance or pet free rooms in your house helps to alleviate the symptoms a great deal.
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Creating a Personalized Treatment Plan
Once your allergens are identified, a tailored treatment plan can be created. This might include strategies to avoid exposure, medications to control symptoms, or lifestyle adjustments to improve your overall health. Early identification of food allergies is particularly vital.
By knowing which foods to avoid—such as egg white (ಮೊಟ್ಟೆಯ ಬಿಳಿ ಭಾಗ), cow’s milk (ಹಸುವಿನ ಹಾಲು), or peanuts (ಕಡಲೆಕಾಯಿ)—you can prevent severe reactions like anaphylaxis. Proper testing allows you to control your diet in a healthy, controlled manner.
For instance, if you’re allergic to specific foods like soybeans (ಸೋಯಾಬೀನ್), gluten (ಗುಲ್ಟನ್), or citrus fruits like oranges (ಕಿತ್ತಳೆ and lemons (ನಿಂಬೆ), avoiding these in your diet is crucial. Even common ingredients like wheat flour (ಗೋಧಿ ಹಿಟ್ಟು) or oats (ಒಟ್ ಹಿಟ್ಟು) could be problematic if you’re sensitive to them.
Common Allergens in India
India’s diverse environment means exposure to a wide variety of allergens. Common triggers include airborne pollens from such plants as Bermuda Grass(ದುಬು ಹುಲ್ಲು, Johnson Grass(ಜಾನ್ಸನ್ ಹುಲ್ಲು, and Eucalyptus(ನೀಲಗಿರಿ ಮರ). Other common allergens are insect and animal allergens such as house dust mites (ಮನೆ ಮಸೂರಿನ ಕಿತ್ತಳೆ, cockroach (ಆಲೆಮರಿ), cat (ಬೆಕ್ಕು), and dog (ನಾಯಿ) dander.
Molds such as Penicillium Notatum (ಪೆನಿಸಿಲಿಯಮ್, Aspergillus Fumigatus (ಅಸ್ಪರ್ಗಿಲಸ್), and Alternaria Alternata (ಆಲ್ಟರ್ನೇರಿಯಾ) which are all allergens can grow in this humidity and cause respiratory problems for anyone.
Food allergies are just as common though, people are allergic to rice (ಅಕ್ಕಿ), peanuts (ಕಡಲೆಕಾಯಿ), and even spices like mustard seed (ಸಾಸಿವೆ or ginger (ಶುಂಠಿ). Seafood allergies to items like shrimp/prawn (ಎಲೆಮೀನು), crab (ನಂದಿ), and specific fish such as Rohu (ರೋಹು) are also common.
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Allergy Management
QXL Diagnostics Super Speciality Lab is very well known for its extensive allergy testing. Advanced testing methods and expert analysis provide a clear understanding of the allergens affecting you. Individualized treatment plans may include immunotherapy for environmental allergens such as Bermuda Grass (ದುಬು ಹುಲ್ಲು) or avoidance of specific food allergens such as egg white (ಮೊಟ್ಟೆಯ ಬಿಳಿ ಭಾಗ) and cow’s milk (ಹಸುವಿನ ಹಾಲು).
Five Tips for Controlling Allergies
Maintain Cleanliness: Keep your house clean, particularly your bed linens, carpets, and upholstery, in order to minimize contact with dust mites, pet dander, and other allergens.
Use Air Purifiers: Invest in a high-quality air purifier to filter out airborne allergens like pollen, mold, and pet dander, ensuring cleaner indoor air.
Consult a Doctor: Meet with a healthcare professional for allergy testing and follow the prescribed treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Avoid Peak Allergen Exposure: And try to minimize outside activity when it is high pollen season or when the air pollution is very bad.
Understand and Avoid Triggers: Most importantly, learn which allergens affect you the most and take proactive steps to avoid them as much as possible.
Don’t let allergies dominate your life. You learn what sets you off and you can take preventative measures, and you can manage your symptoms and feel somewhat better.
- This article is written by Dr. Shantakumar Muruda, MD, Founder CEO, and Medical Biochemist at QXL Diagnostics Super Speciality Lab, Bangalore.