Symptoms of an allergic reaction can manifest without warning, and it can be a challenge to determine the cause on your own. Allergy testing for yourself or a family member is sometimes the only way to truly know the cause. If symptoms are a chronic issue or severe reactions occur, schedule a test with a physician for an official diagnosis. Here are three specific indicators to look out for.

Signs You Need Allergy Testing

1. Frequent Cold-Like Symptoms

General allergy symptoms can resemble the common cold. These include cough and nasal congestion. You may also have itchy eyes or skin. These can be seasonal, such as with pollen, or highly specific, such as an insect bite or eating a certain food. While most reactions aren’t serious, there can be severe reactions, so schedule a test with a physician so they can determine the trigger.

2. Reoccurring Rashes or Skin Issues

Hives, itchy skin, and redness are all allergic reactions. It can stem from chemical exposure, touching a plant, latex, or—if around the face, mouth, or throat—from eating a certain food. You should see a physician if these are a recurring problem. During allergy testing, they’ll expose you to small amounts of common allergens to test your body’s reaction. They can then rule out some and diagnose others.

3. A Severe Allergic Episode

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can be fatal. If you or a family member has received emergency care for vomiting, drops in blood pressure or difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, or throat swelling, schedule allergy tests. You’ll need to understand triggers and make every effort to avoid them. In some cases, an epinephrine injector, commonly referred to as EpiPen®, one of its trade names, may be prescribed to be used in an emergency. 

Whether you’re interested in allergy testing or just need a checkup, physician Dr. George Osei-Bonsu and the team at Palladium Primary Care will fulfill your health needs. Based in High Point, NC, this state-of-the-art medical practice covers all the essentials of health care, including family services, urgent care, and pediatric medicine. They take a one-on-one approach to care and also offer in-office diagnostic testing, which you can explore further on their website. Call (336) 841-8500 to schedule an appointment today.