Medical DNA Testing and Identifying Allergies
Hayfever Season Is Here: Can Medical DNA Testing Identify Allergies?
Seasonal allergies are the bane of many people’s lives. You might be fine in the winter, but dread the summer because it means constant sneezing, coughing, and rubbing your eyes. Or you might only feel the effects in the spring or the fall, but be practically bed-ridden with swollen eyes and hives. Whatever your allergies, is there a way to find out the cause and cut them off before they start? Can medical DNA testing help?
Dynamic DNA is the premier provider of private and detailed medical DNA testing and analysis. Because of our experience and qualifications, we’re uniquely placed to help you with all kinds of medical needs, conditions, and curiosities. In this blog, we investigate whether medical DNA testing is an effective way to identify your seasonal allergies and potentially find a solution.
What Causes Seasonal Allergies?
Although seasonal allergies tend to be rolled up into one of two terms — allergies or hayfever — different people react to different things. The triggers for any allergies are referred to as “allergens”, and for sufferers of seasonal allergies, most allergens are a result of different types of pollen.
A few common examples of allergens that cause a seasonal reaction would be ragweed, grass pollen, tree pollen, cocklebur, sagebrush, and even tumbleweed. Depending on which one you’re allergic to, your allergies will flare up at different times of the year. Allergies can be minor, like a few sneezing fits, or severe, such as itchy, swollen eyes or even breathing problems.
Are There Genetic Indicators?
Possibly. It has only been in recent years that headway has been into researching genetic causes of certain allergies. The University of Southampton in the UK released research in 2016 that demonstrated a potential link between certain DNA markers in children born during a particular season, and the development of allergic diseases.
This could potentially mean that these markers can, in the future, be identified and modified early in life to eliminate certain allergies. Unfortunately, this research is still in a very early stage, so it’ll be awhile before we have more concrete information for medical DNA testing.
What You Can Do To Ease or Prevent Your Allergies
While there is no definite “cure” for allergies, there are a lot of ways in which you can ease the symptoms. Over-the-counter or prescription medications are the most immediate, although many people find they have to try multiple different types and brands before finding one that really works.
Keeping an eye on the pollen count using a weather app on your smartphone, keeping your home windows shut during high pollen season, taking regular showers and keeping your home clean can all help. You should also familiarize yourself with which pollen is high at what time of year so that you can better identify the allergens that trigger your reactions.
Schedule Your Medical DNA Testing at Dynamic DNA
Ready to find out more about your body and how it works? If you’re looking for medical DNA testing or other DNA analysis options, contact Dynamic DNA. We take a personalized approach to genetic testing, doing it all in-house, rather than sending your samples to another lab. This means you get a personal, professional experience with our team.
