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environmental allergen testing

Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2018 3:45 pm
by chronicfighter
Hello, I have asthma, anaphylaxis (to peanuts), coeliac and some allergies (birch, cat fur, dust mites). I had skin prick testing done about 20 years ago to help determine my allergens. I know I now also have trouble with perfume and air pollution (sneezing, watery eyes, asthma), so was wondering what sort of tests are done nowadays to determine environmental allergens and what help they might be?

Also, I've been taking cetirizine for the past 20 years but recently feel as though it's not helping much; my GP tried me on a few other types (their relief was even shorter acting) and says cetirizine is the best, have I just got "used to" the medicine?

Many thanks in advance!

Re: environmental allergen testing

Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2018 2:40 pm
by Dr Sian Ludman
Hi Chronicfighter

If you haven't seen your allergist for 20 years I would definitely get reviewed again, they would be able to optimise asthma medication and discuss environmental allergies with you.