Do I really have allergies?
The first question to ask yourself, is do I really have an allergy or is it just a cold or food intolerance? Obviously, diagnosis is very important to correctly treat your 'problem'. If you're sneezing and your nose is stuffed up or running - that doesn't necessarily mean you have allergies. You could have a cold, sinusitis, or the plain-Jane form of rhinitis that's not associated with allergies. Doctors use the term rhinitis to describe the symptoms that result from nasal irritation, such as congestion or runniness. These symptoms can mimic allergic reactions but are not the result of the IgE immune response that is identified with allergies. There are also food allergies that are much more serious than allergic rhinitis. In some severe cases, if someone has a food allergy, ingestion of that food can lead to anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that can be fatal. This will be covered in another section. If you think you only have unpleasant respiratory or skin reactions you can check the Allergy / Cold questionnaire to give a good indication whether you have a cold or allergies. Sometimes it's difficult to tell the difference, but generally allergy symptoms last longer than cold symptoms and noticeable allergy symptoms are 'triggered' by some airborne, food or skin-sensitive item you come in contact with (externally or internally). See the Allergy Reaction form for help here. It makes sense that anyone who has a respiratory illness symptom that lasts longer than a week or two should probably consult a health care provider.   

Why do people have allergies?
Scientists believe people inherit a tendency to be allergic from one or both parents. This doesn't mean however that they inherit a tendency to be allergic to the same allergens as their parents. In addition, exposure to allergens at times when the body's defenses are lowered or weakened, such as after a viral infection or during pregnancy, seems to contribute to developing allergies.

Without trying to be too technical, here is a simplistic description of what is going on - in an allergic person's body. Normally, the immune system functions as the body's defense against invading germs such as bacteria and viruses. In most allergic reactions, however, the immune system is responding to a false alarm. When an allergic person first comes into contact with an allergen, the immune system treats the allergen as an invader and gets ready to attack. This is when the problem begins. The immune system then generates large amounts of a type of antibody called immunoglobulin E, or IgE. Each IgE antibody is specific for one particular substance. In the case of pollen allergy, each antibody is specific for one type of pollen. For example, the immune system may produce one type of antibody to react against oak pollen and another against ragweed pollen.

The IgE molecules are special because IgE is the only type of antibody that attaches tightly to the body's mast cells, which are tissue cells, and to basophils, which are blood cells. When the allergen next encounters its specific IgE, it attaches to the antibody like a key fitting into a lock. This action signals the cell to which the IgE is attached to release (and in some cases, to produce) powerful chemicals like histamine, which cause inflammation. These chemicals act on tissues in various parts of the body, such as the respiratory system, and cause the symptoms of allergy. So, now you basically know what complicated immune system process your body is going through, and why you feel so miserable. But, don't give up. There are many prevention and treatment actions you can take, to find relief. First you need to see if indeed you really have allergies and not just a cold.
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Allergies or Cold test?
It often takes an experienced health provider to determine if you have an allergic medical condition. There are countless things a person can be allergic to and a wide range of severe reactions to various allergens. Your doctor's diagnosis of your medical condition is made easier with more information provided by you. Here are some questions that will help with your diagnosis: (circle your choices)

1. YES / NO:  I have a clear, thin secretions from my nose?

2. YES / NO: I often breathe through my mouth because my nose is stopped up and I feel congested (with or without nasal secretions)?

3. YES / NO: I have dark, puffy circles under my eyes, called 'allergic shiners', and/or my eyes may water and itch? 

4. YES / NO: I have recurrent nosebleeds, often at night?

5. YES / NO: I have an itching in the roof of my mouth, nose, ears or throat? 

6. YES / NO: I have 'sneezing attacks' often in the early morning? 

7. YES / NO: Windy days, especially in the spring and fall, cause me to have coldlike symptoms?

8. YES / NO:  I have an inability to smell or taste?

9. YES / NO:  I get unexplained, itchy skin rashes?

10. YES / NO: I sometimes get unexplainably tired, weak or irritable?

11. YES / NO: I get unexplainable headaches at certain times?

12. YES / NO: I get stomach pain and sometimes diarrhea after eating some foods?

13. YES / NO: A stinging insect causes a severe bodily reaction? 

The more YES answers, its more likely you have allergies and not merely a cold. Now you need to find out what exactly you are allergic to and the severity of your allergic reactions? Continue your research.

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Concluding:

Experts say the cardinal rule for allergy sufferers is to know what you're allergic to and how to predict and avoid situations where you're likely to be exposed to those allergens. Even if you are rarely affected by your allergies or asthma, you cannot always predict what reaction you might have in a new environment. It therefore makes sense to be sure you are armed with the medications you might need if you do have a reaction. Thank goodness new medications and treatments are constantly being developed to help us feel better. This site discusses much of the old and new allergy information available. Armed with more information from this site, you should be able to better prevent and treat your allergies and become better informed when you visit your health provider to discuss your health. Obviously no one has a higher 'stake' in your better health, than you do. This site's analysis forms and information should help increase your allergy awareness and help you to better take-control of your own health.  Please read on, if this is important to you.     

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