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Allergies affect millions of adults and children across the UK. Worryingly the numbers of those affected by allergy is on the rise and many sufferers are affected by more than one allergic disorder. In fact, a staggering 44% of British adults now suffer from at least one allergy and the number of sufferers is on the rise, growing by around 2 millions between 2008 and 2009 alone.
Living with an allergy can have a significant impact on the life of the person affected and severe allergic reactions can have dire consequences as it can cause life threatening anaphylaxis. Allergies can cause significant challenges and worries to daily life and as well as impacting the sufferer it can also affect family and friends too, particularly parents who live with the stress of protecting their children from serious allergic reactions.
What is an allergy?
An allergy is the attacking response of the body’s immune system to normally harmless substances such as pollens and foods that the immune system identifies as being a ‘threat’.
Common allergens
The most common allergens are -
* pollen from trees and grasses (allergy to these is known as hayfever)
* dust mites
* foods such as peanuts, milk and eggs
* insects such as wasps and bees
* mould
* pets such as cats and dogs, and other furry or hairy animals
* medicines such as antibiotics
* household chemicals
* latex
Symptoms of an allergic reaction
Allergic reactions to exposure to an allergen can cause
* sneezing
* a runny or blocked nose
* red,itchy, watery eyes
* wheezing and coughing
* a red, itchy rash/hives
* worsening of asthma or eczema symptoms
* swelling
* sickness, vomiting and diarrhoea
Most allergic reactions are mild, but occasionally a severe reaction called anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock can occur. This is a medical emergency and needs urgent treatment.
How to diagnose an allergy
If you suspect you suffer from an allergy it is worth seeing your GP who can offer advice and treatment for mild allergies where a clear cause is known.
If your allergy is more severe or it's not obvious what you're allergic to, you may be referred for allergy testing at a specialist allergy clinic where tests such as skin prick testing, blood tests, patch tests, elimination diets and challenge testing can be used for testing.
Allergy testing at home
Unfortunately the search for a diagnosis can be a challenge especially if the allergic reaction is not considered severe to warrant specialist referral or long waiting lists leaving you waiting for a diagnosis.
If you are suffering with symptoms that you suspect are caused by an allergy, you can order a home allergy test.
To get clarity about your suspected allergies, turn to allergy experts Klarify.me
Bright young allergy company with a pioneering history, klarify was born in 2018 to help people with allergy. But our parent company ALK is much older. Pharmacist Peter Barfod and Dr Kaj Baagøe were the first in Denmark to turn an everyday substance into an extract for allergy testing. It was 1923 and they chose goose feathers. (Nobody knew then it was dust mites in pillows and duvets making people sneeze.) Peter Barfod's lab became ALK, now a world leader in treatments for allergy.
Using their history of researching allergies for nearly 100 years, pioneering breakthrough allergy innovations and scientific expertise, ALK created Klarify.me to be a source of the best allergy relief products and services to help people avoid being restricted by their allergies and live life to their fullest.
The Klarify.me home allergy test allows customers to discover what their body reacts to. Including everything needed to take a small blood sample to be sent to a partner lab for analysis, the home allergy tests uses sophisticated technology, precision allergen component tests, detects allergen specific IgE and tests 294 different allergens with comprehensive and reliable results provided within 2 weeks. To find out more about the home-to-lab allergy test from Klarify.me take a look here.
By having an allergy test at home you can gain clarity about what is causing you to suffer with allergic reactions, have knowledge about allergens that trigger your allergies that you can discuss with your GP and gain insight into your health and allergies so that you can take control for a life not defined by your allergy.
The website also offers expert allergy know-how. Passionate about helping people with allergies, klarify.me also provides a free personalised allergy companion app.
Have you had an allergy test before?
* This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Klarify *
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