How to Know if You're Allergic to Something

For those who have never been affected by allergic reaction before, determine the unusual symptoms would be difficult for them.

Allergies can happen as a result of food poisoning, dust allergy etc. We provide you with some "red flag" symptoms that help in determining if you have been affected with an allergy.

Generally, allergic symptoms appear within minutes of being contacted to the allergen. It can even occur after several hours. Rarely, they develop after 24 hours.

If the allergic symptoms start just about immediately after eating, taking medication, or an insect stinging, you have to treat it immediately.

Certain acute cases of allergies lead to swelling throughout the body resulting in swelling of the throat, face, genital and bowels and arms/legs known as angioedema.

There may also be itchy welts similar to the reactions caused from insect bites appearing over large areas of the skin and a chronic, multi-system reaction anaphylaxis leading to difficulty breathing, changes in heart rate and blood pressure, loss of consciousness etc.

Allergic reactions also lead to swelling of the tongue and the throat. It can even activate severe asthma attacks.

Gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea can also be caused by allergies. But if allergies appear after eating a food which gave you no problems before would be food poisoning. Vomiting and diarrhea are rarely symptoms for food allergy.

You can find out what you are exactly allergic to with the help of Allergy testing is an important tool that your doctor uses. The skin test and the blood test are two major types of allergy testing:

Another most common allergy test is the skin prick test done on your arm or your back. Numbers will be written on area being tested by your doctor. RAST or ELIZA tests are two common blood tests used for allergy testing.

Let whatever the test be prescribed by your doctor, you will need to go for a physical examination where you will be asked specific questions about your allergy symptoms. You should always be accurate and detailed while describing your symptoms like when and where they typically occur.