How to Diagnose Smoke Allergies

The most common signs of a smoke allergy are coughing, itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, shortness of breath, headache and skin irritation. Because these symptoms are so similar to those of other allergies and many other common ailments, it is important to have a doctor diagnose the exact condition. A few simple tests will need to be performed to pinpoint the allergy trigger and to create a workable treatment or prevention strategy.

Things You'll Need

• Primary care physician
• Family medical history
• Air purifier

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Instructions

Determine Whether You Have a Smoke Allergy

• 1

  Look for the most common symptoms of smoke allergies: respiratory infection and irritation, frequent sneezing, chronic coughing and itchy eyes.

• 2

  Create a detailed family medical history. Allergies have a strong hereditary link: if a close relative is allergic to smoke, odds are relatively strong that your diagnosis will also be positive.

• 3

  Schedule an allergy test with your doctor. She will typically start out with a skin test, also known as a scratch test, to diagnose an allergy. A diluted sample of a common allergen will be scratched on your skin or injected beneath the surface to see if it produces a reaction. This is how specific allergies are identified.

• 4

  Be prepared for a blood test. Blood tests are not performed as frequently as skin tests, but they are still fairly common. A small amount of blood will be drawn and then tested for the presence of antibodies to various allergens.

Follow Up on a Smoke Allergy Diagnosis

• 5

  Avoid smoky environments, especially indoor ones where ventilation is poor. Once your smoke allergy is diagnosed, prevention becomes the important factor.

• 6

  Take an over-the-counter allergy medicine if your allergy becomes aggravated. Antihistamines to combat nasal and sinus congestion are sometimes effective.

• 7

  Have your doctor give you a prescription medication if your symptoms are especially severe. Whenever you experience difficulty breathing, consider your symptoms severe. Prescription medications can be expensive, however, and the best way to prevent a smoke allergy is to quit smoking and avoid being around smokers.

• 8

  Install an air purifier in your home to remove toxic substances from the air you breathe. You'll need to purchase a purifier with a special activated carbon filter designed to capture extremely small particles.

• 9

  Consider alternative treatment options, such as homeopathy or acupuncture. Some smoke allergy sufferers have reported an improvement in their conditions with the help of non-traditional methods.