Allergic reactions vary from person to person.
Common symptoms of an Allergic reaction include:
Sneezing,
Coughing,
Redness,
Watery eyes, and
Swelling.
Other severe reactions include:
Trouble breathing,
Strong itching,
Diarrhoea,
Vomiting, Dizziness, or
Even anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening condition.
Even though the majority of Allergies are easy to identify, there are still some which are not as obvious and can be mistaken for other conditions.
It is every important if you are not getting any better after a week or two, to consult an Allergist.
What is an Allergist?
An Allergist is a physician who specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of asthma and other Allergic diseases. In Singapore, Wellnex works with Ascent ENT, a Ear Nose Throat Specialist that is served by 6 doctors covering the main subspecialties in ENT – Otology, Rhinology, Laryngology, Sleep Medicine & Surgery, and Paediatric ENT. Each of them has undergone internationally-recognised fellowship training in their respective fields after completing ENT specialist training in Singapore. Our partner Ascent ENT strives to provide excellence in general and subspecialty ENT Care.
Typically, an Allergist will perform a skin test or blood test which aims to measure the level of antibodies to particular allergens.
How does it work?
An Allergist will test Allergies most of the time with a skin test. He will put some simple droplet on your skin with an indicator called a scratch test. It is done mainly on your arm or back or top of the hand and it supposes to be fast.
Are you sick after a scratch test?
To test your Allergy, the allergist will put a very small drop on your skin. Such droplet should be generally well tolerated.
Should you be Allergic, you will have a reaction that will be local - where the scratch test has been done. You will feel a simple itching or swelling that should be gone after few hours or days.
Sometimes, you can have side-effects that can be translated by itchy eye, throat or nose; Some also witness runny nose, wheezing, light-headedness, hives and even nausea, but it is rare.
What to do after an allergy test that is positive? Once you have done the test, you will be able to see if you are allergic to something. The allergist will be able to evaluate how sensitive you are and will be able to design a protocol of treatment design to fight against your Allergy.
However if the results is not clear, some further examination may be required, and you will need to do more tests,
It is very important to know what you have clearly to avoid receiving the wrong treatment.
Dont forget that such test must be done with a certified doctor and is specialised in Allergy. This to minimise poor investigation.
