Allergy

• Allergic Rhinitis: Often known as hay fever, atopic rhinitis is characterised by sneezing, itching, nasal congestion, and watery eyes. This condition can be triggered by pollen, dust mites, pet dander or mould.
• Asthma: Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition characterised by inflammation and narrowing of the airways, leading to breathing difficulties, wheezing, and coughing. In addition to allergens, respiratory infections as well as exercise can also trigger asthma attacks.
• Atopic Dermatitis: Also known as eczema, atopic dermatitis is characterised by itchy and inflamed skin. It often develops during early childhood and its intensity can be increased by allergens like pet dander, irritants, or certain foods.
• Food Allergy: Food allergies occur when the immune system reacts to specific proteins present in certain foods, triggering symptoms that can range from mild itching to severe anaphylaxis.
• Anaphylaxis: Severe allergic reaction is called anaphylaxis and it can be life-threatening. Typically, it occurs rapidly after exposure to an allergen. Symptoms include difficulty in breathing, swelling of the throat, rapid pulse, and a drop in blood pressure.

Diagnosis involves the steps that your healthcare professional takes to find out whether you have an allergy. Your healthcare professional will likely:

• Ask detailed questions about your symptoms.
• Do a physical exam.

If you have a food allergy, your healthcare professional will likely:

• Ask you to keep a detailed diary of the foods you eat.
• Ask if you've stopped eating the suspected food during the allergy exam.

Your healthcare professional also may recommend one or both of the following tests.

• Skin test: A healthcare professional uses a tiny needle to prick or scratch your skin and expose you to small amounts of the proteins found in your potential allergens. If you're allergic, you'll likely develop a raised bump called a hive at the test area on your skin. 
• Blood test: This test measures the amount of antibodies that the blood makes to destroy allergens. Your blood sample is sent to a lab to find out if you're sensitive to suspected allergens.

Allergic disorders are managed by identifying the culprit allergens using an allergy test, avoiding known and potential triggers where possible. Anaphylaxis management involves cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR; if the patient stops breathing) and medications, such as adrenaline (to reduce the allergic response), oxygen and intravenous (IV) antihistamines and beta-agonists. Immunotherapy for allergies (allergy shots) may also be recommended to desensitise the individuals to specific allergens.