Studies conducted by some of the renowned universities all over the world confirm that zillions of people – if not more – suffer from an allergic reaction or the other. In fact, allergies are one of the commonest chronic medical conditions that directly affect the immune system. Our immune system is responsible to destroy harmful bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms. But when you suffer from an allergy, your body mistakenly considers a foreign object as a threat and triggers allergic reactions to counter the threat, explains a renowned doctor in London.

Introducing to allergens

Allergens are the foreign objects that cause allergic reaction. A large number of allergens exist including pollen, dust, certain types of foods and medicines. An allergen may cause different symptoms in different individuals. Ordinary symptoms include stuffy nose and sneezing but in severe cases life-threatening symptoms are also visible. Life-threatening allergic symptoms are medically termed as anaphylactic shock.

Introduction to allergy blood tests

Doctors at a renowned clinic that offers affordable private blood tests in London for allergies say that allergy blood tests are safe as well as undeniably accurate to understand whether you have any kind of allergy.

The human body’s immune system produces antibodies called immunoglobulin E or IgE to suppress threat from an allergen. Allergy blood tests take note of the quantity of allergen-specific antibodies present in your blood. This is done by measuring the level of IgE. When you have a higher level of IgE in your blood sample, it usually denotes an allergy.

The best way to stay safe from allergies is to avoid the allergens that trigger allergic reactions in your system. Allergy blood tests prepare you with the necessary information so that you stay safe and undergo necessary treatments to enjoy a normal and healthy life.

The right blood tests for allergies

Blood.London is a trusted private walk in clinic for allergy blood tests in London. We are located at Harley Street in Marylebone and we are focused to provide the people of London and the neighbouring regions with the facility of self-referral blood tests using the latest medical technology at affordable price.

Allergy from foods

Food-related allergies generally become prominent during childhood although one may develop those complications at any stage of life. The problem normally runs hereditarily in a family. Foods that are known to trigger allergic reactions include eggs, peanuts, soy, milk, wheat, fishes and shellfishes. The symptoms can range between mild and severe although the level of seriousness varies differently with time. A particular food item that triggers a minor allergic symptom at one instance may trigger a severe reaction at another instance.

Food allergy symptoms

The symptoms include the following:

• Difficulty in breathing
• Vomiting
• Abdominal cramps
• Coughing
• Low pulse rate
• Swelling in the toungue, mouth, lips
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Hives and rashes

Allergy from insects

Insects that bite as well as those that sting are known to trigger allergies. Some of these include bees, wasps, fire ants, hornets and yellow jackets. When they sting or bite, they inject a poisonous chemical into your body. As a result, your body triggers allergic reactions although the impact differs in degree from individual to individual.

Insect allergy symptoms

The typical symptoms in insect allergy cases include the following:

• Shortness of breath or breathing difficulty
• Stomach cramp
• Itchiness, redness, swelling and hives at the affected spot and its nearby area
• Dizziness
• A sharp drop in blood pressure

In acute cases one may also suffer from cardiac arrest or loss of consciousness. 

Allergy from pets

According to a report published by the UK health department, nearly 10% of the UK population is allergic to common domestic pets. A large number of people are allergic to cats and dogs. In fact 1 out of every 7 youngsters between the ages 6 and 19 suffers from one kind of pet allergy or the other. These domestic pets shed dander or tiny flecks of their skin. Allergic reactions are mostly triggered by this dander.

Pet allergy symptoms

Symptoms of pet allergy include the following:

• Hives or rashes on skin
• Stuffy or runny nose
• Frequent and often lengthy bouts of sneezing
• Itchy, red and watery eyes
• Severe coughing
• Tightness of the chest
• Breathing shortness

Allergy from pollens

Pollen allergies are very common in the UK and affect a large number of people. Medically the problem is also called hay fever or allergic rhinitis.

Symptoms of pollen allergy

• Stuffy or runny nose
• Itchiness in the eyes, skin, mouth and the nose
• Long and frequent sneezing bouts
• Red, watery eyes
• Nasal blockage

In severe cases, you may also suffer from congestion, which will prevent you from having proper sleep.

Allergy from latex

Synthetic latex does not trigger allergic reactions but exposure to natural latex can. Latex is the natural product that comes from the sap of the rubber tree. Latex is widely used in many commercial goods including handbags, rubber bands, balloons, disposable gloves and tyres.

Symptoms of latex allergy

The symptoms resulting from latex allergy include the following:

• Breathing difficulty
• Itchiness and hives
• Sharp drop in blood pressure
• Runny or stuffy nose

Allergy from mold

It is indeed difficult to stay safe from mold allergy. This is because fungus easily grows in undetected places across residential homes and workplaces. Moreover, thousands of species of molds exist that cannot be seen by the naked eye.

Symptoms of mold allergy

Typical symptoms resulting from mold allergy include the following:

• Irritation in the eyes
• Itchy, dry and scaly skin
• Frequent and lengthy sneezing bouts
• Itchy throat
• Stuffy or runny nose
• Coughing
• Wheezing

Medicine allergy or drug allergy

In a sharp contrast to other kinds of allergies, cases of drug allergy are not so common. Those, who suffer from this type of allergy, invariably react to the medicine irrespective of the form in which it is taken.

• Drugs that usually trigger allergic reactions include the following:
• Medicines used in chemotherapy
• Drugs belonging to the penicillin family
• Sulfa medicines or antibiotics comprising of sulfonamides
• Anticonvulsants

Even most common non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory medicines like aspirin and ibuprofen are known to trigger allergies in some people.

Symptoms of drug or medicine allergy

Doctors performing cheap blood tests in London include the following symptoms:

• Rashes or hives on the skin
• Fainting
• Stomach cramp
• Sharp drop in blood pressure
• Diarrhea, feeling of nausea and even vomiting
• Breathing shortness

If you suffer from frequent bouts of any of the symptoms discussed above, feel free to contact us at Private Blood Tests London Clinic and get the necessary blood tests done.