![\"Senior](\"https:\/\/collincountyent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Senior-woman-writing-in-her-journal.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nAllergy symptoms can feel random, but there\u2019s usually a pattern waiting to be discovered. An allergy journal helps you find that pattern by keeping track of key details. Here\u2019s what to include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Daily activities<\/strong>. What you eat, where you go and what you do.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Symptoms<\/strong>. Note when they happen, how severe they are and where you are.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- External factors<\/strong>. Record things like the weather, excess pollen in Hope Park, household chores (like vacuuming or cleaning) and pet exposure.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
By logging these details consistently, you\u2019ll start to notice trends. For example, if your symptoms pop up every time you clean your house, pet dander or dust are likely culprits.<\/p>\n\n\n
Using Your Journal Alongside Allergy Testing<\/h2>\n\n\n
More than 100 million<\/a> people in the U.S. experience allergies each year. Allergy testing is a great way to identify the cause of your symptoms. There are two main types of allergy tests:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Skin prick testing<\/strong>. A skin prick or scratch test works by pricking the skin with a needle containing potential allergens or by applying allergen droplets to the skin and lightly puncturing the area. Possible reactions include redness, raised skin or small round spots.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Blood testing<\/strong>. During a blood test, your specialist collects a blood sample and sends it to a lab. There, specific allergens are introduced to the sample. The lab then measures the level of IgE antibodies (antibodies produced by your immune system in response to allergens). Blood tests are less likely to cause negative reactions but carry a higher risk of false positive results.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
After testing, you can look through your allergy journal to see when and where you\u2019re exposed to those allergens. Your specialist can use this information to suggest the best treatment options, whether medication<\/a>, lifestyle changes or more long-term treatments like immunotherapy<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n
How Should I Start My Allergy Journal?<\/h2>\n\n\n
Start small. Keep a notebook or use an app to jot down your symptoms and possible triggers. Over time, this habit could give you the clarity you need to feel better and avoid the things that set off your allergies. If you\u2019re ready to take the next step, schedule an allergy appointment with one of our specialists at Collin County ENT.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Blood testing<\/strong>. During a blood test, your specialist collects a blood sample and sends it to a lab. There, specific allergens are introduced to the sample. The lab then measures the level of IgE antibodies (antibodies produced by your immune system in response to allergens). Blood tests are less likely to cause negative reactions but carry a higher risk of false positive results.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Symptoms<\/strong>. Note when they happen, how severe they are and where you are.<\/li>\n\n\n\n