Do I have an allergy? State-of-the-art allergy diagnostics at the Weißensee Skin Center

The pollen season has begun. Due to the very mild February, early bloomers such as hazel and alder are already in full bloom and some of them are covered in very intense dust. For allergy sufferers, this means early exposure. According to the RKI, around 15 percent of the population in Germany are affected by hay fever. What can be signs of an
allergy
be? When should you see a doctor if you have symptoms? And what treatment options are there for allergies? We will show you how modern allergy diagnostics with ALEX² from MADx are carried out in our Weißensee Skin Center and which therapies help to alleviate allergy symptoms.

Do I have hay fever? These are typical signs

Pollen allergy (colloquially known as hay fever) is the most common form of allergy. The symptoms are caused by pollen from various plants, cereals and grasses in the air. The main season is therefore spring and summer. However, some plant species can also spread pollen until late fall and thus trigger allergic symptoms.

The most common symptoms of hay fever include

Reddened, itchy, burning or watery eyes

swollen eyelids

Irritated and swollen mucous membranes

a “runny”, blocked nose

Frequent sneezing

Cough irritation

Breathing difficulties

What other allergies are there?

People can have allergic reactions not only to pollen, but also to other substances. An allergy is a hypersensitivity of the body in which the immune system classifies an actually harmless substance as dangerous for unexplained reasons. It then triggers natural defense reactions (inflammation), which are normally intended to protect the body from harmful pathogens such as bacteria and viruses.

The substance that triggers the hypersensitivity reaction of the immune system is also known as an allergen. Typical allergens besides pollen are:

Food (e.g. peanuts, egg, gluten)

House dust

House dust mites

Animal hair/feathers

Medication

Mushrooms/mold

Insecticides

Allergy: When to see a doctor?

If you suspect that you are suffering from an allergy, you should consult an allergy specialist to have your symptoms checked out. Special diagnostics can be used to determine whether you have an allergy and which substances you are allergic to. In this way, suitable treatment can be initiated to minimize discomfort and prevent permanent inflammation.

If an allergy remains untreated, the inflammatory processes can permanently damage healthy tissue or even become chronic. In some cases, an allergy can also develop into bronchial asthma (the so-called stage change). Targeted treatment of the allergy alleviates the symptoms, reduces the risk of secondary damage and improves the quality of life of those affected.

Here are some questions that you can use to test yourself to see if you might be suffering from a pollen allergy:

Do you have watery, itchy, burning or swollen eyes?

Do you sneeze frequently?

Is your nose blocked?

Do you have a tickling or itchy feeling in your throat?

Do you have breathing problems?

Do the symptoms occur more frequently in spring and summer?

Do you often feel tired and exhausted?

Do you notice the symptoms mainly outdoors or when ventilating?

Are there allergy sufferers in your family?

Comprehensive allergy diagnostics with ALEX2 from MADx

The classic diagnostic method for detecting immediate-type allergies is the prick test. Various typical allergens are dripped onto the skin of the forearm in solutions. The allergens are introduced into the body through a slight puncture with a fine needle or lancet. If an allergy is present, reactions such as redness and swelling occur at the corresponding skin site.

In addition to this method, we offer a further, very modern method of allergy diagnostics at our skin center: ^ALEX2 from MADx. The procedure works with a small blood sample, which is taken almost painlessly in our practice. You will only feel a short prick or slight pressure. The blood sample is then analyzed in the laboratory. Around 300 allergens can be easily tested using this method. Cross-allergies can also be tested with ^ALEX2 from MADx.

Dr. Kors will discuss the evaluation of the test with you in detail in a personal consultation.

Treatment methods for allergies

The appropriate treatment for your allergy is determined and discussed on an individual basis. The gold standard is hyposensitization, in which your body is specifically accustomed to the triggering allergen so that the symptoms occur less frequently and are less severe. The therapy can take the form of tablets, drops or injections. Some patients are even completely symptom-free after successful treatment.

More about allergies – make an appointment now

Would you like to find out more about the diagnosis and treatment of allergies? We will be happy to answer any questions you may have on this topic. Make an appointment via our online appointment booking or give us a call.

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