Millions of Americans suffer from allergies and asthma. Not only can allergies be detrimental to your quality of life, but they can be life-threatening. If you have allergies and asthma, you may already be working with a doctor that specializes in allergies, but if you are not sure if you have allergies or not, here are some ways to know if allergy testing could be right for you. 

When Should You Schedule an Allergy Test?

1. If You Are Experiencing Symptoms

A lot of people experience mild hay fever as the seasons change, but allergies can be more complex than just sneezing, runny nose, and watering eyes. If you are experiencing unexplained nausea and vomiting and diarrhea, hives or skin rashes, coughing, chest tightness, nasal congestion or trouble breathing, it could indicate an allergy. Symptoms of asthma include wheezing, coughing, and labored breathing accompanied by chest tightness. You may also notice that you are getting chronic sinus infections or have had persistent hay fever or are still having symptoms despite taking over-the-counter allergy medication. If so, you may want to speak with your doctor about an allergy test. 

2. If You Are in a High Risk Group   

Allergies can be hereditary. If you are from a family where people have a specific allergy or many allergies, it may be worth it to invest in allergy testing. The same is true if you suffer from asthma, as allergies can make asthma worse. Young children often lack the vocabulary to tell you that they feel puffy after they eat shellfish, so if you notice rashes or gastrointestinal upset in your young child, you may want to have him or her evaluated by an allergy specialist. 

3. If You Have Recently Had an Allergic Reaction

If you have recently experienced anaphylaxis, which includes breathing trouble accompanied by rapid swelling of the tongue, mouth or lips, you should be evaluated by a doctor. Even if you determine the allergen, it may still be a good idea to get allergy testing. Often, allergies can be linked to each other or you may have mistakenly identified your allergen, or you could be allergic to more than one type of insect or food. For example, you may have identified that you are allergic to peanuts, but you could be allergic to tree nuts as well. 

If you suspect you could be suffering from allergies, turn to Ear Nose & Throat Specialties PC for your care. With three convenient locations in the Lincoln, NE area and with specialties ranging from allergies to audiology, the doctors here have been providing quality and convenient patient care for 30 years. For more information, visit the website or call (402) 488-5600 today.