News Archive

10/1/2001
Testing Positive
Are you burdened by itchy, watery eyes or a runny nose? Does bloating make your waistline grow two dress sizes in one day? A nasty rash or hives got you scratching? Convinced you suffer from allergies? You may be mistaken.

According to Dr. Rob Reinhardt, medical affairs director for ImmunoCAP®, “it is common for people to overestimate allergies.” Allergy-like symptoms can be caused by a variety of conditions, including sinusitis, nasal polyps, asthma, an infection or the flu. In a recent study of 200 subjects, 90 percent believed they suffered from allergies. The reality? A mere 31 percent. That translates to lost dollars for unneeded prescriptions and unnecessary suffering.

But don’t let misdiagnosis negate the seriousness of allergies. The troublesome attacks remain the sixth leading cause of chronic disease in the U.S., burdening close to one-third of the population. Unfortunately, people with allergies are going untreated, while people without allergies take daily medication. Why? One reason is the skin-prick test, commonly used to determine allergies. Because it is painful and expensive, many people skip the test and rely on self-diagnosis. But a painless alternative has arrived. “Blood tests have been around for ages,” says Dr. Leonard Fromer, a professor of family medicine at the University of California, “but the original tests were not very good.” Pharmacia research branch has, however, been working for a quarter century to make the tests more usable. “Over the years, there have been improvements in both the technique and the reagents,” says Dr. Fromer. The result is ImmunoCAP. The latest allergy blood test detects the presence of IgE (an antibody that circulates in the blood when the body is fighting an allergen). A blood sample is taken from the patient and exposed to various common allergens. The amount of IgE produced determines if the patient is allergic and how serious their reactions are.

The ImmunoCAP test is also considerably cheaper, ranging in price from $200 to $400. So why isn’t everyone using blood tests? “Allergists make more money with skin tests,” says Dr. Reinhardt. With blood tests, patients can go through their primary care physician, skipping the allergist entirely. A simple blood test is all it takes to find out if your allergy fears are true or false, so take the step.

For more information, visit www.DoIHaveAllergies.com, or call 1-877-862-4948.

TEST RESULTS ARE IN—YOU’RE ALLERGY POSITIVE

If you don’t want to take medicine to ease your symptoms, try these simple lifestyle changes.

POLLEN:

• Minimize outdoor aerobic activities during peak pollen hours (5 a.m. to 10 a.m.).

• Don’t line-dry clothing or bedding.

• Avoid mowing the lawn or raking leaves. If necessary, wear a mask and sunglasses.

• Minimize time spent outdoors during heavy winds and/or high humidity.

MOLD:

• Check your car’s weather-stripping and air-conditioning system for mold.

• Avoid indoor plants. Wet soil encourages mold growth.

• Check for mold in household drains, under the refrigerator, in the air-conditioner insulation, books and papers, coils and drain pans, as well as damp wooden areas.

DUST:

• Drive with car windows closed and set air conditioner on recirculate.

• Keep household windows closed, especially at night. Use air conditioning to clean, cool and dry air, but change filters often.

• Vacuum often to minimize dust mite exposure.

• Wash bedding in hot water to kill dust mites. Encase mattress in dust mite barrier covers.

ANIMALS:

• Keep animals out of bedroom.

• Remove household carpeting if possible.

Oxygen

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