Tired of unexplained fatigue? Allergies might be the culprit

2nd June 2024

Feeling constantly tired or plagued by unexplained symptoms? ???????? It might not just be stress. Allergies could be the silent culprit

It’s a common misconception that allergies mean instant anaphylactic shock — a dire, life-threatening reaction. While anaphylaxis is certainly a severe and real aspect of some allergic reactions, the spectrum of allergy symptoms is broad and often less dramatic, yet still troubling. If you’re struggling with unexplained symptoms, it’s worth considering whether an allergy could be the cause.

What does an allergy look like?

Allergies manifest in numerous ways, some subtle and others more pronounced. Here’s a range of symptoms that might suggest an allergic reaction:

• Persistent fatigue: Feeling unusually tired, even when you’ve had a full night’s sleep.
• Skin issues: Hives, eczema, or itchiness that doesn’t seem to have a clear trigger.
• Digestive problems: Unexplained stomach aches, diarrhoea, or nausea after eating certain foods.
• Respiratory concerns: Persistent cough, wheezing, or shortness of breath that isn’t linked to respiratory diseases.
• Headaches: Regular, unexplained headaches or migraines.
• Nasal symptoms: Chronic stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, and nasal congestion not caused by a cold or flu.

These symptoms can disrupt daily life and may lead you to dismiss them as just stress or a minor health issue. However, they can be a sign that you’re experiencing an allergy. 

Allergies come in all shapes and sizes

While many people are aware of common allergens like pollen, pet dander, and nuts, there are numerous lesser-known substances that can trigger allergic reactions:

• Food additives: Some people react to additives like sulfites used in dried fruits, canned goods, and wine.
• Fragrances and chemicals: Ingredients in perfumes, household cleaners, and personal care products can trigger reactions.
• Latex: Found in many medical and personal products, latex can be a significant allergen for some individuals.
• Insects: Beyond bee stings, some people have allergies to cockroaches and common beetles.

Recognising your triggers is crucial and can be less straightforward when dealing with less common allergens.

Life doesn’t have to be uncomfortable

Living with allergies can be uncomfortable and annoying, but it doesn’t have to be. Many allergic reactions are manageable through lifestyle adjustments, medical therapy, and avoidance strategies. Identification is the first step toward relief.

The importance of allergy testing

If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned, it might be a good time to consider allergy testing. Allergy tests can help determine the specific triggers causing your discomfort, allowing for targeted management strategies. Our testing methods are precise and patient-friendly, providing you with the knowledge you need to improve your quality of life.

Don’t let unexplained symptoms control your life. By identifying the underlying issues, you can embark on a path to better health, comfort, and peace of mind. Take one of our tests today or register as a new patient to take the first step towards feeling more awake and in control of your 

 health.

Where do adult allergies come from?

23rd September 2020

Where do adult allergies come from?

Some people go through life without knowing the annoyance or danger of an allergy. But then, suddenly, they find themselves sneezing at flowers or feeling ill after a pizza. It turns out they’ve developed an allergy in their adult years. And it isn’t especially uncommon.

This might be all the more prevalent in the UK, where 20% of the population has at least one allergy. If this is a new sensation for you, how can you be sure it’s a new allergy? Or how do you know if it’s not an allergy but an intolerance? And why do they happen in the first place?

Allergies

Put simply, an allergy is your body having a reaction to something that is usually harmless. Think pollen for hay fever or peanuts. Your immune system sees these as a threat to your body, releasing chemicals to try to fight it. It might lead to mild symptoms such as sneezing or itchy eyes. 

But it could also be fatal if it’s a severe allergy. You will have likely seen stories in the news about people dying from eating something as simple as popcorn. This is a result of an anaphylactic shock, something which has been increasing over the last few decades.

Intolerances

On the other hand, you have intolerances. You are more likely to experience stomach troubles, such as bloating and nausea. That’s because intolerances tend to affect the digestive system, while allergies affect your immune system.

They aren’t particularly life-threatening, but some of the symptoms can be extremely uncomfortable. In more severe cases, you can suffer from diarrhoea, rashes, or acid reflux.

So what’s the difference?

As we explained above, one is a digestive issue while the other is an immune issue. But one main difference is intolerances are only a reaction to food. Allergies can be a reaction to anything and everything.

On top of this, allergies can be life-threatening while intolerances usually aren’t. Allergic reactions tend to also happen almost instantly after coming into contact with an allergen (though not always). People with intolerances don’t have to stay away from allergens and can even eat triggering food in small doses.

So why do these appear in adulthood? The problem is, there is no definitive answer. There are a handful of theories, though.

Theories

One thought is a lack of exposure can cause an allergy. The idea is you aren’t building up an immunity by being exposed.

Another take on this theory is you always had the allergy but were never exposed to the trigger. You might see this in an animal allergy if you never had pets, for example.

There are always a lot of question marks when it comes to allergies. The important part is you speak to an expert about it. Ask your GP for advice or seek out an allergy specialist who can help discover and manage your allergies.

Our experts are always on hand to help you with your allergy queries. Don’t suffer with a new allergy – get in touch with us today on 02031 433 449.

Adult allergies: why do they happen?

19th September 2018

Adult allergies: why do they happen?

If you suddenly find yourself with a blocked nose after a walk in the park, or your stomach turns after eating cake, there might be a reason why. Adult allergies can occur, and they aren’t uncommon.

The UK has some of the highest rates of allergic conditions with over 20% of the population suffering from at least one allergic disorder. But how do you know you have an allergy? What separates them from intolerances, and why do they randomly occur during adulthood?

What is an allergy?

An allergy is a reaction the body has to usually harmless substances such as dust or food. The immune system believes these allergens to be a threat and releases chemicals such as histamine in response. Common symptoms include sneezing, a runny nose, itchy eyes, breathing difficulties, abdominal pain, and hives. In severe cases, allergies can have life or death consequences, with some triggers causing individuals to have an anaphylactic shock.

In the 20 years to 2012, there was a 615% increase in the rate of hospital admissions for anaphylaxis in the UK.

What is an intolerance?

Intolerance is a sensitivity to specific ingredients. Symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, and nausea. They affect the digestive system, whereas allergies affect the immune system. Intolerances aren’t life-threatening; however, some symptoms are more harmless than others such as bloating. Severe reactions include diarrhoea, rashes, or reflux.

Differences

The main difference between allergies and intolerances is that allergies can be a reaction to everything from food to pollen. Counter to that, intolerance is a discomfort to only food.

• Allergies can be life-threatening.
• Allergy symptoms happen almost immediately after consuming triggering ingredients.
• Individuals who suffer from an intolerance can eat triggering foods in small quantities.

Triggering ingredients often include gluten, dairy, and fructose.

Why do adult allergies develop?

It’s not uncommon for allergies to manifest during adulthood. Although there’s no definitive answer as to what’s behind a late onset of allergies, there are a few theories as to where they come from.

Exposure

If you suddenly start sneezing when you’re around allergens such as pet hair or pollen, it can be caused by a lack of exposure. If you’ve lived your life in a city with minimal plant life for example, suddenly being in a pollen-filled environment may trigger hay fever.

In some cases, you may have always had an allergy present. But it may have been so minor that you didn’t even notice as it caused minimal discomfort. It’s possible that the allergy increased during adulthood.

Another reason may be that little exposure to bacteria and dirt may increase vulnerability to allergies as the body suppresses the natural development of the immune system. So when our immune system does come into contact with unclean environments, the body overreacts.

Management

There are several ways to manage allergies including:

• Avoiding triggering environments, ingredients, and other allergens.
• Taking an antihistamine and using nasal sprays.
• Regularly cleaning your home.

If you are experiencing symptoms of an allergy or intolerance, it’s best to find out the cause as soon as possible to reduce discomfort.

If you think you might be suffering from allergies but have never had them diagnosed, why not order one of our home testing kits today. Find out once and for all what’s causing you to sneeze and cough. Request an allergy test with us today or visit our website.