What allergies should I be tested for?

[perryg1]

Hi,

I don't believe my asthma is allergy based as it only triggers after a viral cold and then lasts a few months. I am now 5 months after a mild cold and still can't do anything. I want to pay for an allergy test just to rule out anything.

I have been tested for: dust mites (positive), dog, cat, mould, pollen, 2x grasses.

What else can I ask for? Usually places want to be specific so wondering what else I should ask for. A lot of people say Dairy so will definitely ask for that.

I don't believe I will receive any luck because without a virus to trigger my asthma I don't go up and down depending on what I eat/am exposed to. But I am getting desperate now

Thanks!

[Mandevilla]

What treatment are you receiving? Have you been able to have an asthma review recently? I can understand feeling desperate to find something that causes your symptoms so that you can get better by eliminating the cause, but it seems a lot of effort to go to if you're pretty sure that it's not allergic.

Have you tried calling the helpline? If not, I'd really recommend you do so - the nurses are lovely and so helpful at talking through any concerns you may have. They may be able to suggest things you have not considered. Definitely worth a try. The number is 0300 2225800.

[perryg1 in reply to Mandevilla]

I have had an asthma review and under a specialist team but I am still not receiving answers chest CT and X-ray, and lung function tests are all fine. I don't 'sound' wheezy although I feel wheezy and feel intense pressure on my chest. It has been like this every second for 5 months and am clutching at straws. I have spoken to the helpline they are lovely

[peege]

Mould you've had done if I understand correctly and came up negative? I would still avoid it though being asthmatic. I'd definitely ask for aspergillus which some asthmatics have an allergy and it's to be avoided as once in lungs it can be managed (but not cured I was told by hospital consultant who ordered at least six allergy tests). Having tested positive for dust mite is useful in that you now know that you can be allergic to something/anything so can be wary in future.

[perryg1 in reply to peege]

Thank you, yes I've tested for aspergillus and I was negative, but definitely agree its good to know about dust mites

[Homely2 Administrator]

My asthma is caused by dust mites, perfume, mould, pollen, humidity etc, etc. The list is slowly increasing.

As my asthma is caused by reacting to varying things, going on holiday to somewhere simple often helps a lot, going to a fixed caravan, for me is good.

If your asthma is only caused by viruses, then going away will not help, but if there is an allergy cause like dust mites, then being elsewhere will effect your asthma. Then you can track down the cause.

[Thomas45]

Back in the 1970s when my asthma started I was tested for those plus human hair. In those days the NHS gave a series of injections to desensitize the allergens, in my case house-dust mite, cats, and human hair. I've since had companion cats for many years without them causing asthma. I still get exacerbations of asthma through colds and similar viruses, of which I have fewer since having covid jabs.

[Scrofulous]

Mine is triggered by synthetic perfumes in household cleaning products, such as limonene and linalool, along with the usual suspects. Do you live anywhere with polluted air from vehicles? Also some perfumes, which again, have synthetic ingredients, are a real trigger for me.

[Phoenix1992]

Have you tried a week of antihistamines? As long as you check with a pharmacist with the meds you're on, you can buy them over the counter (here in the UK), My consultant put me on them whilst waiting for allergy tests and they helped immediately. Didn't completely control my asthma but, I take them all year round otherwise my inhaler doesn't work. Have you thought of chemical things in the home? One of my big triggers is chemicals - aerosol sprays, perfume, air fresheners, cleaning products, laundry liquid/powder, scented candles, cigarette smoke & vapes. Anything that adds chemicals to the air in my vicinity, including traffic fumes. I have to be very vigilant when out and about.

I have many weather & pollen triggers too, including tree pollens.

[perryg1 in reply to Phoenix1992]

Thank you I'll give this a try!