Sep

25

Start

Filed Under Allergy Symptoms 

It is time to start an journal especially if you have been plaqued by running noses, itchy skin and watery eyes and not being sure as to what is the cause.

If you have been having allergy symptoms for the longest time but yet never realized that you are suffering from low grade symptoms all this while, then it is about time you get more observant.  This situation has been the story of my life with my various chronic symptoms, which I never knew them to be allergy symptoms.

Starting an allergy symptom journal can help you find appropriate treatment for the various causes and triggers. Keep track of everything around you and those things that you come into contact with. 

Here are some exampled for record keeping in your allergy symptom journal:

1) Where were you and what were you doing?

2) What foods you ate and what reactions you have thereafter?

3) What new environment or new contact that you just had?

4) Were there any new pets in the house?

Most are triggered by four basic allergens: dust mites, pollen, pet and mold.  So start your observations in relation to these factors.

What you are allergic to may not be obvious immediately.  It may take you a year or more to discover any pattern.  A season, a location in your home, a change in work, etc may be the trigger to your allergies.  The important thing to remember is that without an allergy symptom journal, it would be more difficult to identify any patterns.

When you know what your allergy triggers are, it becomes a much easier process to take preventative measures or to reduce your exposure to them.

Aug

14

Is

Filed Under Allergy Symptoms 

It is very easy to confuse with other types of ailments. Determining whether it is an allergy or some other ailment is important as it can mean finding the appropriate treatment for it.  Here are two case examples:

1. Sneezing and cold symptoms. It is also very easy to mistake several allergy symptoms for a common cold.  You may think that you are having a cold when you come down with sneezing, coughing and itchy eyes and nose. Instead, you may be having an allergic reaction. 

2. Difficulty in breathing.  One of the common allergy symptoms is if you find it hard to breathe. You may believe that it is an asthma attack.   However, it can also be having an allergic response to dust, pollen or other triggers, that started the asthma attack. Allergy-related asthma attacks and breathing problems can be very dangerous to your health.  If you do not get sufficient oxygen, you can get killed.

It will not be easy trying to determine if it is an or not, on your own.  Even if you suspect that it is an allergy, you may also need the help of your doctor to figure out your allergen. 

Your doctor may advise you to take some medical allergy test.  Allergy tests usually involve injecting allergens into a small patch of your skin and then monitoring you for a reaction.   It may take a while, but that process of elimination may be necessary and quite helpful.

Treatments, be it medications or otherwise, differ if you are having an allergy or a flu or asthma. Getting the right treatment for what you are suffering from can mean a faster recovery and getting back on your feet!

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