In spring and summer, flowers are red and willows are green, but this is also a season that is prone to allergies. The incidence of allergic diseases in children is increasing year by year, and a series of diseases caused by allergies are also troubling many parents and children. So, what is allergies and what are the symptoms? What can cause allergies in daily life? According to Chang Yuna, a respiratory doctor at Jinan Children's Hospital, allergies refer to a series of reactions that occur when our bodies come into contact with certain stimuli and fail to identify them in a timely manner, leading to the mistaken belief that they are harmful substances. These reactions can manifest as itching in the nose, nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, itching in the eyes, tearing, eczema, urticaria, coughing, wheezing, vomiting, diarrhea, etc. Eggs, milk, peanuts, nuts, or seafood, as well as dust mites, pollen, mold, dog hair and cat dander in the environment, can all cause allergic reactions. How to find allergens easily and efficiently using two detection methods? Chang Yuna introduced that the commonly used detection methods currently include skin prick test (SPT) and serum sIgE detection. Skin prick test: A small amount of highly purified allergen liquid is dropped onto the forearm, and then a prick needle is gently inserted into the surface of the skin. If allergic to the allergen, after fifteen minutes, a red lump resembling a mosquito bite will appear at the prick site, causing an itchy reaction or a change in color. The skin prick test has the advantages of convenience, economy, safety, and effectiveness. It is easy to operate, with less pain and trauma for children, just like being bitten by a mosquito, and the test results can be immediately known. The disadvantage is that the test results are affected by anti allergic drugs, hormone drugs, and skin condition. Before conducting skin prick tests, some medications need to be discontinued and there are relatively few types of allergens tested. Serum sIgE detection: It can be detected through venous blood sampling, and the advantage is that it can simultaneously detect multiple allergens, with high sensitivity, specificity, and safety; Not affected by age, skin condition, medication status, disease status, etc; It can be quantitatively detected, and the blood samples it extracts can be stored for a long time. The disadvantage is that it is expensive, time-consuming, and requires intravenous blood sampling, which is a challenge for young babies. How to deal with a positive allergen test is the most concerning issue for parents and friends. Below is a brief discussion on the interpretation of allergen results: When the allergen test result is negative, it can largely rule out allergies caused by the tested allergen, but still cannot completely relax vigilance. When the allergen test result is positive, it indicates an allergenic state, The higher the sIgE level or the larger the diameter of the skin prick test, the more correlated it is with allergic diseases, but not with the severity of the disease. When diagnosing, it is still necessary to combine symptoms. If there are no symptoms, it cannot be considered an allergy. The following situations should be noted: 1. If the screening result is positive and there are some allergic symptoms, the first step is to determine whether the baby's allergy is related to the detected positive substance. For positive allergens, Baobao can avoid contact for 2 weeks first, and then try to contact them one by one. Only when the symptoms alleviate or disappear after avoidance, and the allergens that develop again after re exposure are the true allergens. If the screening result is positive, but the baby has frequently been exposed to or consumed without any allergic symptoms, it cannot be said that the child is allergic to this "allergen" and can still be exposed to or consumed with this substance. However, once an allergic reaction occurs, contact or consumption of this substance should be suspended. 3. If the screening result is positive and the baby has never been exposed to or consumed this substance, it is recommended not to let the child come into contact with or consume this type of food temporarily. If necessary, after 3-6 months, according to the strength of the food allergy attribute, try a small amount one by one, and observe while trying under the guidance of a doctor. 4. If the screening result is positive and the baby has corresponding allergic reactions, severe cases should avoid contact or consumption of the substance. Mild cases should avoid contact for 3-6 months, and a small amount can be attempted. Under the guidance of a doctor, observe while trying. (Lai Xin She)