I am 19. How can I find out if I am allergic to anything?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am a 19-year-old male. My IgE levels in the past two years were 1411 and 869.0 IU/mL respectively. Do I need to check now? Also, the absolute eosinophil counts were 800 and 240 cells per microliter of blood (cells/mcL). My TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) was high and it was treated. I feel allergic to dust, eggplant (tongue itch), perfume, fragrance, etc. I cannot apply any face cream. If I do then my eyes become watery instantly and do not stop for hours. I also get a burning sensation. I have acne-prone skin. Now, my main complaint is an occasional unexplained cough for more than two years. I used to avoid chill water and cold drinks. What should be done further? I have also attached my blood report of TSH and lipid profile for your reference.

Please advise.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

It appears that you have a tendency toward allergies, which are associated with asthma or allergic bronchitis and elevated IgE (immunoglobulin E) levels. Additionally, you have related skin issues, such as urticaria or atopic dermatitis, all of which are interconnected.

The first line of treatment typically involves long-term use of anti-allergic medications. I do not recommend Montelukast. Instead, take 180 mg of Fexofenadine and 10 mg of Levocetirizine in the morning. If symptoms persist, we can consider adding Hydroxyzine. The goal is to suppress the release of allergic cells. If symptoms remain uncontrolled, a short course of steroids may be necessary. While steroids can be highly effective, symptoms often relapse once they are discontinued. Therefore, managing the condition may require using all three generations of antihistamines. These conditions often improve by the mid-20s, though they can sometimes persist. For now, our focus should be on controlling the allergic flare-up.

I hope this helps.

Thanks for using icliniq, and have a nice day.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Regarding your queries, my responses are as follows: Allergy tests are not always specific; they often detect many allergens that may be unavoidable in everyday life, which can lead to increased stress. For example, some tests even include cockroach dust. So, you can imagine how broad the testing can be.

Allergies are best identified through your own exposure and response. You are the best judge of this, as you can recognize an allergy when you experience certain symptoms. For example, with something as simple as prawns, people usually know when they are allergic. IgE levels can be both congenital and triggered by environmental factors. While the elevated levels have been present since birth, they may have been activated by certain environmental agents.

I hope this helps.