Allergy? Maybe not!
Written by:Often it attributed all too easy to blame for an allergy disorder. Sometimes, though, the true origin is another. There speaks the Dr.. Antonio Anania, specialist in Allergology
How is an allergic reaction?
Allergic reactions, or suspected of being allergic in nature, should be treated with drug therapy antireattiva. It should, then, avoid contact with the allergen, such as suspending the use of the drug "suspect", keep the cat away, so that you collect too much dust, etc.
Sometimes, however, you do not immediately recognize what is the element that causes the allergic reaction. In these cases, to treat the acute phase, it takes the anti-reactive drugs. These drugs, which are so common in the treatment of allergies (such as antihistamines or adrenaline), are accompanied by procedures and typical drugs of emergency medicine (such as steroids, bronchodilators, venous access, saline solutions, oxygen, assistance ventilatory, etc.)
After the acute phase, however, it is necessary for the diagnosis of allergy that requires medical tests, in vivo tests, in vitro tests and imaging studies, as well as the analysis of the clinical history of the patient and his family.
If the tests did not show an allergy, but the suspicion is still very strong, it is said that the tests were negative "for allergens tested."
So if the tests are positive, they are definitely allergic?
Not always: there are cases that require adequate interpretation. For example, if a patient has allergic result of "strange" symptoms, then it is necessary to make a more thorough investigation. If symptoms or reactions are not those that are normally charged to 'allergen identified, it may not be allergy.
Moreover, there are cases in which the tests and the clinical history exclude the presence of an allergy. At this point, we need a broader diagnosis, which also evaluates diseases with symptoms similar to those of an allergy.
However, do not just "decide" to be allergic to something: it is always important to go to an allergist to confirm or deny this diagnosis and, if necessary, we address to another specialist.