Your immune system helps you stay healthy by fighting off foreign pathogens. However, if your immune system overreacts to certain substances, then you can develop allergies. It is best to have your allergies treated by an allergy doctor in Birmingham, AL.
Your allergy doctor will order tests. There are several reasons that you should get allergy testing.
Find Out What You Are Allergic To
You may not know what you are allergic to. If you know what you are allergic to, then it will be a lot easier for you to avoid it. Avoiding the substance is one of the keys to keeping your allergies under control.
Find the Right Treatment Plan
It is not always possible to avoid everything that you are allergic to. For example, if you are allergic to pollen, then you probably will not be able to avoid pollen. The good news is that the right treatment plan will make it easier for you to manage your allergies. An allergy doctor in Birmingham, AL, will use the results of the allergy test to give you the right treatment.
Save Your Life
Most people who are exposed to an allergen will experience unpleasant symptoms. This includes things such as watery eyes, sneezing and coughing. However, in rare cases, a substance can cause a life-threatening allergic reaction. If you have an allergy to something that can kill you, then you will need to carry an EpiPen with you at all times.
An EpiPen is designed to treat severe allergic reactions. It works by reversing the effects of the allergic reaction.
There Are Different Allergy Tests Available
The type of skin test that the doctor recommends will depend on the type of allergy that they think you have. There are skin tests, blood tests, lung function tests and patch tests. For more information, contact Alabama Allergy & Asthma Center.