Do you often get colds and they take a long time to heal? Or did you suddenly break out in a rash because of a new skin cream you used? In fact, it can sometimes be a little difficult to distinguish between an allergy and another medical condition that we experience every day. But understanding this difference can go a long way in helping you find relief from your discomfort.
Are we being fooled into thinking it's an allergy?
Many people think that any unusual reaction they experience is an allergy. This is actually very common. Let's take an example from our own country to understand this. Imagine there is a person named Kumari Akka. She constantly starts scratching and itching her body. She thought that this was due to some food she was eating, that is, she was allergic to a food.
"At first I thought I had a bad taste in chocolate, so I stopped eating it. But the eczema came back, and gradually it started spreading from my hands, legs, and even my thighs," she says.
When she finally saw a dermatologist, he referred Kumari to an allergist. All the allergy tests she had done there were negative. This meant she had no allergies to anything. The doctors discovered that Kumari's skin had been damaged due to the stress she had been under after her husband had a heart condition and had to have a pacemaker fitted.
Simply put, not every reaction to the body is an allergy. Sometimes the cause can be stress, an infection, or another condition.
Technically speaking, a true allergic reaction is when our immune system reacts abnormally to something that is normally harmless to our body (e.g. dust, pollen, certain foods). During this reaction, the immune system produces large amounts of special antibodies called `Immunoglobulin E (IgE). Allergy tests mainly look for elevated levels of `IgE`.
How do you distinguish between an allergy and another condition?
Although it's not always possible to tell for sure, these facts can help you determine whether you have an allergy or something else.
1. Look closely at the symptoms: Is it a cold? Is it an allergy?
It's important to know the difference between allergic rhinitis and the common cold, as 85% of allergy symptoms can be controlled with proper treatment. If you're having trouble figuring out which one you have, check out this chart.
| Symptom | Likely an Allergy | Likely a Cold |
|---|---|---|
| Eyes | Red, itchy, watery eyes | Usually has little effect on the eyes |
| Sotu liquid | A clear liquid like water flows. | Thick, green, or yellow mucus |
| Itching | Itchy nose, throat, ears | There is usually no itching. |
| Other features | Frequent sneezing | Fever, body aches, joint pain |
2. Time and duration are very important.
How long the symptoms have been present and what time of year they occur are also big clues.
- A cold: Usually gets better in a few days or a week or two.
- An allergy: Symptoms can last for weeks or months . Some allergies (e.g., those caused by pollen) are more severe at certain times of the year (e.g., when flowers bloom). Others (e.g., those caused by dust, pet dander, cockroaches ) can be present all year round.
3. Food allergy is not just a stomach ache.
Many people think that when a food is ingested, the only symptoms are stomach pain, bloating, and diarrhea. However, in a true food allergy, in addition to these gastrointestinal symptoms, symptoms from other systems are also shown.
For example, you may experience hives, itching, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the lips or tongue. If you only have a stomach ache, it is more likely to be a food intolerance or food poisoning than an allergy.
4. These symptoms may not be caused by allergies.
Some parents think that a food allergy is the cause of their child's fussiness and restlessness. Similarly, some people think that food allergies are the cause of things like migraines, fatigue, and nervousness .
However, scientific research has shown that it is very rare for a food allergy to affect only behavior or mood without other allergy symptoms (such as skin rashes or difficulty breathing). Therefore, if you only have these symptoms, it is more likely that the cause is not an allergy.
What do you do if you can't find it on your own?
Sometimes, it's hard to tell if you have an allergy or not without seeing a doctor. A good example is a contact allergy.
Simply put, both allergic contact dermatitis (inflammation of the skin caused by an allergy) and irritant contact dermatitis (inflammation of the skin caused by something irritating to the skin without an allergy) cause the patient to experience the same symptoms. In both cases, the skin becomes red, itchy, and scaly. Without testing, it is impossible to say whether this is actually an immune system reaction or not. However, the solution is the same: avoid contact with the thing that is causing the symptoms.
If you continue to have allergy symptoms, if home remedies don't help, or if you're not sure if it's an allergy or something else, the best and safest thing to do is to see your family doctor. If necessary, he or she can refer you to a specialist for a full evaluation.
Take-Home Message
- Not every unusual reaction your body has is an allergy. It could be a common cold, indigestion, or something caused by stress.
- A true allergic reaction is a process that involves our immune system.
- Pay attention to what the symptoms are (e.g., itchy eyes, fever?) and how long they last (days, months?).
- A true food allergy usually shows more symptoms than just an upset stomach (e.g., skin rashes, difficulty breathing).
- If you have any doubts about your condition, always consult a doctor without guessing. That is the best thing you can do.
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