Constant sneezing, red and itchy eyes, a runny nose that starts as soon as you breathe in dust, a rash after eating food like shrimp or crab... These are familiar things in our lives, aren't they? Most of the time, we take a medicine from the pharmacy for this, or just put up with it for a while. But did you know that these are not simple things, they are the result of a process in your body's defense system, that is, they can be symptoms of an allergy. If these kinds of problems persist, there is a doctor who specifically looks into it. Let's talk about that today.
Who is this allergist?
Simply put, this is a doctor who has received special training in allergies and diseases related to our body's immune system. They are sometimes called immunologists.
Imagine that you have a defense army inside your body. We call it the immune system . The main job of this army is to protect us by fighting off disease-causing germs that enter our bodies.
But some people's defenses are a little too sensitive. They mistake even harmless things like dust, pollen, certain foods, and animal dander for a big enemy and start a big fight. That unwanted reaction is what we call an 'allergy' or 'sensitivity.'
So, an allergist is a doctor who has studied in depth the functioning of our body's immune system, accurately diagnoses allergies and related diseases, and prescribes the most appropriate treatment.
What kind of illnesses do these doctors treat?
Not just allergies, these specialists treat a number of other diseases, because almost all of these are somehow related to our immune system.
- Frequent colds and flu-like conditions (Hay Fever): Some people have a cold all year round. This is not a common cold, but could be an allergy.
- Food allergies and intolerances: Symptoms such as rashes, swelling of the mouth and lips, and stomach upset after eating certain foods.
- Asthma: Asthma is a disease that can be associated with an allergic reaction in the respiratory tract.
- Eczema, Psoriasis, and Other Skin Diseases: Many skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis are caused by a problem with the immune system.
- Chronic sinus and ear infections: Allergies can cause the nasal and ear cavities to swell, causing frequent infections and blockage of secretions.
Before treating a condition like this, it is important to determine the exact cause of the condition. An allergist will diagnose the cause and develop a treatment plan that best suits that cause.
Should You See an Allergist? Look Out for These Signs
Sometimes we don't even know we have an allergy. If you have these symptoms, seeing a specialist can be very helpful.
| Cause / Sign | Think about this... |
|---|---|
| Not controlled by regular medications purchased from the pharmacy | You may know that you have "pinase". But even if you take regular medicine from the pharmacy (e.g. Piriton), the sneezing, itching, and runny nose do not subside? Do you have to be gloomy all day? Then you may need a stronger, more suitable treatment. |
| Prolonged snoring or insomnia | Many allergies cause swelling in the sinuses around the nose. This can make it difficult to breathe at night, causing snoring or sleep disturbances. It's worth investigating whether an allergy is the cause. |
| Frequent sinus or ear infections | Swelling caused by allergies can block the sinus cavities and ear canals, creating a favorable environment for bacteria to grow. If you regularly experience either of these problems, it could be due to allergies. |
| Frequent itching/discomfort in the mouth and throat for no reason | Not all food allergies are as severe as peanut or shrimp allergies. Sometimes, it's just a mild itch in the mouth, lips, or throat. Like eating pineapple. It's hard to diagnose such subtle allergies without the help of a specialist. |
What happens when you go to see the doctor?
Some people may be a little scared when they hear about seeing a specialist like this, but it's actually a very simple process.
First, the doctor will talk to you thoroughly. He will ask you a lot of questions, such as when and at what time your symptoms start, what you eat, and when you go to dusty places, to get a better understanding of your problem.
Then, you can have some tests done to find out exactly what you are allergic to.
Types of tests that can be done
- Blood tests: Check if your body has developed antibodies against certain allergens.
- Skin tests: A very small drop of the allergen is placed on the skin, and a small prick is made with a small needle to see if the skin reacts. This does not hurt.
- Patch tests: To find the cause of some skin conditions, small plaster-like patches containing allergens are placed on the skin for about two days.
- Pulmonary function tests: Tests that measure the function of your lungs to check for conditions like asthma.
Don't worry, all of these tests are performed completely safely, using very small amounts of allergens, under the supervision of a specialist.
What is the treatment like?
Once the test results are in, your doctor will recommend the most appropriate treatment for you.
- Simple Treatment: Sometimes the treatment is just to avoid the things you are allergic to. Or, your doctor may prescribe antihistamines . Histamine is a chemical in our bodies that causes things like itching, sneezing, and hives.
- Treatment for severe allergies: Some people can have a very severe allergic reaction (anaphylactic shock) that can be life-threatening to things like peanuts and tree nuts. For such people, something like an epinephrine pen may be prescribed to use in an emergency.
- Immunotherapy: This is a longer-term treatment. It's like a vaccine for allergies. It involves gradually introducing very small amounts of the allergen into your body, training your immune system to not be afraid of it.
Take-Home Message
- An allergy is an inappropriate response by your body's defense system (immune system) to something that is not harmful.
- Don't simply ignore things like frequent colds, itching, skin rashes, or difficulty breathing. They could be a sign of an underlying problem.
- An allergist is a doctor who has received special training to diagnose and treat such diseases.
- Accurate diagnosis is the first step to successful treatment. So don't be afraid to talk to your doctor about your symptoms.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න