A qualified allergy specialist usually performs your allergy testing which is nothing but an exam run to check the allergic reactions occurring in your body. You require providing your skin or blood samples to check if you are allergic to some specific substance.
Your body may be allergic to different kinds of substances occurring in the environment including mould, pet dander or pollens. Again, some individuals may also be allergic to latex, bee stings, milk and milk products, peanuts or soy.
Read on this blog to discover the determining factors which decide the most appropriate private clinic for your allergy testing in London. Find out more on the different forms and symptoms of allergies and potential benefits of allergy management.
What exactly is allergy?
Allergies are basically hypersensitive responses against certain substances, and occur from your immune system. Your body will generally exert these allergic reactions when you come in contact with this kind of foreign substances.
Allergens are those substances leading to the allergic reactions in your body. Allergen can be anything that evokes abnormal reactions from your immune system. Allergens can be present anywhere; it may be present either in food or drinks or in the environment.
Know the Different Types of Allergies
Allergies may range from mild symptoms to severe risks. While some allergies become a threat to your life, some other mild cases can easily be treated. Among the different forms of allergies, some major include:
- Seasonal allergies: This kind of allergic reaction occurs only at specific times of the year. The occurrence of these allergies is more common during the blooming of trees. Mostly during seasons of tree and grass pollens, these allergic reactions tend to occur. This kind of allergies is basically due to the triggering of your body by environmental factors such as pollens.
- Medication and drugs: Other variable allergic reactions also exist. While the occurrence of rashes and swelling of different areas of body are common in some individuals, some other often undergoes breathing difficulties as a result of allergies.
Most of the allergic reactions occur in people mostly from side effects of antibiotics, anticonvulsants, chemotherapy and monoclonal antibody therapy as well. Frequent consumption of these medications or drugs increases the frequency of these allergic reactions.
- Food: food allergies are most likely to develop in an individual right from the childhood. However, several cases also show how adults can develop food allergies. Food allergies can mostly result from items such as peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish or other kinds of fish. However, do not confuse food allergies to food intolerances.
Food allergies involve over reaction of the body’s immune system against proteins present in food. You can experience these allergic symptoms immediately after consuming the allergen food item. People with food allergies must be very careful with their food habits as these may even produce life risks.
- Latex: Different products such as balloons, rubber bands, toys or rubber gloves contain latex. Latex is basically substance occurring in rubber trees and involves a blend of chemicals during its manufacturing process. This substance offers elasticity to these products.
In fact, people with latex allergies suffer from secondary allergic reactions. At this stage, one becomes allergic to vegetables and fruits like avocados, tomatoes or bananas.
- Mould: Moulds may be of nearly more than hundred types. Not all types of moulds produce allergic reactions in every individual. However, some of these moulds may result in serious allergies.
Moulds mainly develop in damp environments. For example, you can find moulds at houses or other buildings. If you are already a patient of asthma, allergic reactions of moulds often end up in worsening asthma. Prolonged and continuous exposures of asthma patients to moulds obstruct the airway passages, and generate problems in breathing as well.
- Pet dander: Allergic reactions against pets are quite common. In fact, allergies from pet cats are the most frequent occurrences in humans. The main triggers of pet allergies are their urine, saliva or dander.
Danders are nothing but tiny flakes of your pet’s shedded skin. Some common symptoms indicating to allergies of pet danders include sneezing, wheezing, breathing difficulties, a runny nose, or even triggers of asthma.
- Venom: Allergic reactions to venoms mostly occur due to stinging of insects. When an insect stings, people are likely to develop itching, swelling or redness on that particular area of your skin. When an individual is allergic to venom, he/she is likely to undergo the symptoms more intensely. This is due to the over reaction of your immune system against the venom.
Depending on the symptoms of allergies, different types of allergic reactions can be:
- Asthmatic symptoms that eventually produces difficulty in breathing
- Hives – angioedema or urticarial
- Food allergy from pollens
- Celiac disease
- Eczema
- Anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock
- Oral allergy syndrome
- Extrinsic allergic alveolitis, a condition of pulmonary inflammation
Common Symptoms of Allergies
The symptoms of allergic reactions basically depend on the kind of allergies and their presence. Some of the most common allergy symptoms include:
- Asthma
- Migraines
- Eczema
- Runny nose
- Swelling
- Itchy eyes, lips, ears, throat or mouth
- Hives or rashes
- Vomiting or diarrhoea
- Wheezing
- Hyperactivity
- Rhinitis
What are the benefits of allergy testing from private clinics?
The first and foremost approach to treating your allergy symptoms is allergy testing. NHS definitely offers allergy testing services in the UK. However, the process may not be much efficient and may consume a long time in delivering the test results.
Allergy testing in London with private clinics can offer you several advantages like:
- A better experience of medical testing
- Getting fast and accurate results
- Access to professional healthcare experts, modern technologies and medical equipment
- Requires shorter periods for booking
Summary
Allergy testing in London through private clinics has its own underlying benefits. You must check the staff base, professional expertise, reputation and customer reviews before selecting a private clinic for your allergy tests.
Medical Express Clinic offers you the most comprehensive services of allergy testing with our qualified healthcare professionals and high-tech infrastructure.