Allergies

What is an allergy? 

An allergy is a medical condition that results from your exposure to a certain type of food, medication, or type of material that triggers a harmful immune response. For example, many people experience food allergies. Every year, 200,000 Americans need emergency medical care for allergic reactions to food alone. 

Your immune system is always on guard to defend your body against infection. But it isn’t flawless. Sometimes, it can trigger an immune response against things, such as proteins in the food you eat, that are completely harmless. The substances that cause these reactions are called allergens. 

These immune responses, or allergic reactions, show different symptoms in different people. Fortunately, Dr. Raccuglia will be offering comprehensive allergy testing in the office within the next three months. 

What are the most common allergy symptoms? 

The first step in treating an allergy is identifying it. It’s not always cut and dry, but here are some signs to look out for: 

• Itchy mouth
• Hives
• Sneezing
• Blocked nose
• Stomach pain
• Feeling sick
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

There are more serious symptoms associated with certain allergies, and some can even be life-threatening, including difficulty breathing and painful throat tightening. 

How does allergy testing work? 

At the office, Dr. Raccuglia offers comprehensive allergy testing. This form of testing can be immensely helpful if you’ve identified allergic reaction symptoms, or if you’re just mildly curious if the symptoms you are experiencing stem from allergies. 

Skin tests and blood tests are used to check for allergies. The skin test method involves exposing you to tiny samples of a variety of different allergens, while blood tests check for antibodies caused by certain immune system triggers. Using these tests, Dr. Raccuglia can begin an allergy treatment plan.

Certain allergies, if deemed very serious, need to be discussed in more detail, as allergic reactions can be life-threatening. However, in most cases, Dr. Raccuglia talks to you about strategies for avoiding allergens and how to address an allergic reaction. 

Is allergy testing safe? 

Yes, allergy testing is perfectly safe. There are some minor side effects associated with allergy testing. For instance, in some skin tests, your skin may turn slightly red or become itchy, which is a symptom of an allergy. These are typically very minor and subside quickly, as the amount of allergen used is so small. 

To find out more about allergy testing at Joseph R Raccuglia, MD, call the office or schedule an appointment online today.