How do I know if I have allergies?

• Your symptoms and when you have them.
  Sometimes your own observation of what causes your allergy symptoms such as cold air, foods, pollen, dust, perfumes, plants, or animal dander can help suggest which allergens are the culprits. You may be asked to fill out a detailed questionnaire.
  
   
• If you or your family members have a history of allergies.
  Why do you develop allergies? Nobody knows for sure, although the tendency to develop allergies can be inherited from your parents. If one parent has allergic disease, the estimated risk of the child to develop allergies is 26%. The child's estimated risk grows to 52% if both parents have a history of allergy.
  
   
• Examination
  There can sometimes be tell-tale changes to the skin around the nose and eyes or the tissue inside the nose. Sometimes a fiberoptic endoscopic exam of the deep nasal structures will help to eliminate other causes of nasal blockage and runny nose.
  
   
• Testing
  To test for allergies, your doctor may want you to have a skin test or a blood test.
  
  
  • A skin test, an allergy nurse injects small amounts of allergen under your skin. Then, the size of the skin reaction is measured.
    
     
  • A blood test (for example, a RAST test) measures the level of allergen-specific cells. This test is often easier for children and is a preferred way to look for food allergies, but does not tend to be as sensitive a test .