If you experience allergy symptoms, allergy testing is the best way to determine your next course of action. At Osato Medical Clinic, a primary care clinic serving the community of Torrance, California, a team of highly skilled practitioners offers the latest in allergy testing. Booking a visit is as easy as a quick phone call or a few moments online, so don’t delay.
Knowing what to look for can help you decide when it might be time to come in for allergy testing. Allergies are an overreaction of your body’s immune system, and symptoms develop when your immune system launches an attack against a substance that is not typically harmful to humans.
Some of the signs of allergies include:
Allergy symptoms tend to come on quickly after exposure to the triggering substance, called an allergen.
When your immune system develops an allergy, part of that process includes developing specific antibodies intended to fight off the specific allergen. Blood testing is a diagnostic tool that looks for these antibodies.
Allergy testing screens for common allergies. The results can help you decide whether to proceed with allergy treatment or if you can avoid reactions by reducing your exposure to certain allergy triggers.
Of course, some allergens are more easily avoided than others. People with food allergies can often take steps to prevent exposure to foods like soy, peanuts, or shellfish. Allergies triggered by substances like pet dander, pollen, or household chemicals are more difficult to avoid in everyday life.
If your provider lets you know that your blood allergy testing has revealed signs of an allergy, you’ll then discuss treatment options. There are several ways to treat allergies, and your plan will depend on the severity of your symptoms and the specific allergens.
For example, if exposure to certain plants causes skin rash and redness, you may only need to apply a topical medication to reduce those symptoms. If your allergies prompt more severe symptoms like digestive distress or difficulty breathing, then immunotherapy might be a better fit.
This treatment works by exposing you to minute volumes of the allergen over time. This gives your body a chance to develop a tolerance for the allergen and reduces the risk of a full-blown allergy attack if you encounter the allergen at full strength.
When you’re ready to learn more about allergy testing or treatment, call Osato Medical Clinic to schedule a visit, or book online at your convenience.