Managing Allergy Symptoms
Tailored care and comprehensive solutions for lasting relief and a healthier life.
What is an allergy?
An allergy is simply the body’s reaction to typically harmless foreign substances, known as allergens, such as dust mites, pollens, mould, insects, pet dander, or certain food. In allergic individuals, the immune system identifies these allergens as “threats”, triggering an immune response that leads to allergy symptoms.
What are allergy symptoms?
Allergy symptoms can vary in severity. Mild symptoms may include sneezing, a runny nose, coughing, watery eyes, rash, and itching. Moderate symptoms can involve breathing difficulty and tightness in the chest. Severe or life-threatening reactions may include anaphylaxis. Allergies can affect individuals of all ages, races, genders, and socio-economic backgrounds.
Anaphylaxis is an extreme allergic reaction that can happen within minutes of allergen exposure. During anaphylaxis, the immune system releases chemicals that may lead to shock, a sudden drop in blood pressure, airway constriction, and swelling of the tongue and throat, which can block breathing. Other signs may include a skin rash, a weak and rapid pulse, vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness, and fainting. Anaphylaxis requires immediate treatment with an epinephrine injection or emergency medical care, as it can be fatal if untreated.
While patients may manage milder allergy symptoms by avoiding contact with the allergen, more severe symptoms will require immediate medical treatment. Therefore, it’s crucial that healthcare professionals have reliable testing devices to identify the allergenic substance so they can recommend suitable treatment options.
Equip your clinic with our skin prick allergy test device for reliable diagnostic results— contact us today to place your order.
What happens during an allergic reaction?
When an allergen enters the body, whether by inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact, the immune system produces immunoglobulin E (IgE), which activates mast cells to release histamine. Histamine works to expel the allergens from the body, causing symptoms like sneezing, tearing, and coughing. The discomfort experienced during an allergic reaction is actually a result of histamine trying to protect the body. Taking an antihistamine can help stop the allergic response.
How to test for allergies?
The most common method for identifying potential allergens is the skin prick test. This test is quick, simple, cost-effective, and can assess a wide range of allergens. It involves pricking the skin with lancets to allow small amounts of allergens to penetrate the outer layer. If the person is allergic to any of the tested substances, redness and raised bumps (wheals) will appear on the affected areas of the skin.
Astromed provides licensed and patented skin prick allergy test devices, enabling healthcare professionals across Southeast Asia to provide their patients with reliable diagnoses for skin allergy symptoms.
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