What your are CAT DANDER DUST MITE triggers? Knowing if you have allergic triggers can help you manage your symptoms. Know yours and take control. OAK Information about a simple lab test that lets you Know Your IgE.
What s a trigger? A trigger can be allergic or non-allergic, and is basically anything that causes you to have allergy-like symptoms. 1 in 4Americans have allergies or asthma 1 What are common allergy symptoms? Allergy symptoms affect your nose and lungs, which are part of your respiratory (breathing) system. Many times these symptoms are referred to as hay fever or sometimes just plain allergies. The most common nasal symptoms are congestion, sneezing, coughing, and itchy-watery eyes. The most common lung symptoms are coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. When you have one or more of these symptoms, allergic triggers can make your symptoms worse. What are common triggers? Triggers come from many different sources. Common triggers include pet dander, pollen in the air, mold, pollution, smoke, grass, and trees even exercise can be a trigger. Can I be allergic to more than one thing? Yes. Most people with allergies are allergic to more than one allergen. Their symptoms might appear only when they are exposed to two or more triggers at once. Can I guess my triggers based on my symptoms? Not necessarily. Symptoms can be caused by many different allergic or non-allergic triggers. Using symptoms like congestion, sneezing, coughing, or wheezing to guess your triggers is not very helpful. There are many possible inhalant allergic triggers (indoor and outdoor, seasonal and perennial), so if you are allergic and you try to guess your allergic triggers, you might guess wrong. You also won t have the whole picture. If I have asthma, should I be checked for allergies? Yes. That s because if you have both conditions and the allergies go untreated, the combination could damage your delicate airways. Research shows that the majority of people with asthma (up to 60% of adults and up to 90% of children) also have allergies. 2-4 Testing to identify your allergic triggers will help you and your healthcare provider better manage your symptoms.
OAK MOLD DUST MITE How can a simple blood test help me know if I have allergies? If you have allergies, your body produces an antibody called IgE that is specific to your allergic triggers. The ImmunoCAP test measures the amount of your IgE. Your healthcare provider can use your ImmunoCAP results to identify the specific allergic triggers that may be contributing to your symptoms. Your specific IgE test results are as personal and unique as your fingerprint. After you receive your test results, you should review them with your healthcare provider and create a tailored plan to help reduce your exposure to your specific allergic triggers. What are the benefits of having the ImmunoCAP allergy blood test? The test results will help you and your healthcare provider customize a treatment approach that s right for you Knowing your allergic triggers can help you take control and reduce your symptoms Normal or negative results can help your doctor rule out allergies in order to consider other possible triggers A simple blood test requires only one blood sample Know your
Does reducing exposure to my allergic triggers help? Yes. Reducing exposure to one or more of your allergic triggers can help reduce your symptoms and your need for medication. 5 This can only be accomplished by working with your healthcare provider to learn your unique allergy profile. RA WEED Talk to your healthcare provider about the ImmunoCAP allergy blood test. COCKROACH Get tested. Know your IgE. Learn your allergic fingerprint. RASS DO DANDER CEDAR
Learn your allergic fingerprint with ImmunoCAP. ImmunoCAP results can help your healthcare provider determine your individual allergy profile. He or she can then use this fingerprint to personalize a special treatment plan just for you. This might include medications and tips to help you reduce exposure to your specific allergic triggers. Visit www.knowyourige.com to learn more. Tips, tools, and other information are available to help you better control your triggers and to learn how the ImmunoCAP allergy blood test can help you manage your symptoms. Your healthcare provider has ordered ImmunoCAP for you. Go to Laboratory for your testing. Call to set up a test appointment or for more information. Return to this office for follow-up. Your next appointment is on: / at o clock. (Month/Day) References 1. Asthma facts and figures. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&sub=30. Accessed February 11, 2010. 2. Allen-Ramey F, Schoenwetter WF, Weiss TW, Westerman D, Majid N, Markson LE. Sensitization to common allergens in adults with asthma. J Am Board Fam Pract. 2005;18:434-439. 3. Milgrom H. Understanding allergic asthma [news release]. Milwaukee, WI: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology; June 18, 2003. 4. Høst A, Halken S. The role of allergy in childhood asthma. Allergy. 2000;55:600-608. 5. NIH. Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma, 2007. NIH publication 08-4051. www.knowyourige.com ImmunoCAP is a US registered trademark of Phadia AB 2010 Phadia US Inc., a subsidiary of Phadia AB Phadia US Inc 4169 Commercial Avenue Portage, MI 49002 800.346.4364 491257.01