In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: It can be tempting to imagine that you have isolated the cause of your allergy on your own and don’t need professional assistance. What appears like an allergy can actually be part of a larger disorder. Flawed self-diagnoses can cause these issues to go untreated and result in unnecessarily limiting your access to appropriate sources of nutrition. It is also important that the doctor you seek has proper medical training. Some experimental methods of testing allergies are actually suspected of increasing the risk of acquiring an allergy. If your healthcare provider offers the service, you can schedule an appointment specifically to get tested for food allergies. In some cases, offices may require a consultation prior to testing to ensure that your insurance will cover the test. If you have no medical reason for suspecting a food allergy (medical reasons would include gastrointestinal discomfort or hives after eating certain foods), your doctor may wish to discuss the appropriateness of the test or try food elimination prior to subjecting you to a skin food allergy test. In some cases, you may be sent off-site to a laboratory or referred to an allergy specialist for a food allergy test. If this is the case, ask whether you first need to be seen at your healthcare provider’s office or if you can simply go directly to the test center or specialist office. Some physicians may request that you practice an elimination diet or keep a food diary. These can be necessary for isolating an allergy and determining what tests are required. Do not pursue these methods, however, without the explicit recommendation of a doctor. Before you visit the doctor, you should be sure that you have available all the information that will allow them to diagnosis your allergy. This includes your symptoms and everything that might have influenced your condition.  Writing this down will make it less likely that you forget important information.  Write down all of the symptoms you had. This includes symptoms that maybe came later and seemed unrelated. They could be part of the same disorder and might be important for diagnosing your condition. Write down when the reaction occurred, how long the reaction lasted, the severity of the symptoms, and any treatment provided and your reaction to that treatment. Write down what you ate, how it was prepared (raw, cooked, powdered, etc.), how much you ate, and when you ate it. Also write down all of the medications that you were on. Major life changes and outside stressors can also cause negative physical effects, so be sure to inform your doctor of these as well. If you can, consider bringing along a family member or friend. They might remember things that you forgot. Some people will break out into hives immediately after eating something they are allergic to. Sometimes, however, allergic reactions are delayed. If it is unclear what caused the allergic reaction, your doctor may want you to eliminate suspicious foods from your diet. It is important you discuss this with your doctor first as they can help you ensure you still get all your required nutrients.  Think back to what you ate on the day of your outbreak. Eliminate those foods from your diet for two weeks. Slowly introduce the suspected foods into your diet, one at a time. Write down everything you eat and any symptoms you experience. Remember, the effects may not be immediate — it may be a few days before you experience a reaction. If you experience a return of symptoms when you reintroduce a suspected food, then it is likely you are allergic to that food. If the allergy was severe, you should not attempt this. Each time our body comes into contact with an allergen, the response gets stronger and stronger. If you already had a severe reaction to the allergen, even a minor encounter could prove fatal. Talk to your doctor about identifying the trigger as soon as possible, as well as preventative measures and what to do should you be exposed to the allergen.
Summary: Find a credentialed doctor. Call in advance to request a food allergy test. Ask whether the test will be provided at your practitioner’s office. Ask your healthcare provider if you need to prepare for the allergy test. Write down all relevant information. Ask your doctor if an elimination diet is necessary.

In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: Most people don’t take the time to give their dogs a massage. Though it may sound silly, just spending 20 minutes once or twice a week giving your dog a nice, relaxing massage can help deepen your bond. Massage him as you would a human — behind the ears, on the neck, on his back, and anywhere that seems to make him feel good. Start off gently and deepen your massages if your dog seems to like it. This will be a great way for you to physically connect with your dog. Every dog is different. Some like to be massaged, while some may wrangle out of your grasp. Get a feel for what your dog likes as you try this new bonding activity. If he just prefers to be petted, then don’t force it and stick to that. If you work in a more hip office that lets you bring your dog to work, then take him to work with you once in a while, if you can swing it. Though you’ll have to tend to your dog a bit and may not be able to have him there the whole day, just taking the dog to your workplace can reinforce your bond in a completely new environment. Make an effort to incorporate your dog in other aspects of your life. If there’s a dog-friendly bar or restaurant in your neighborhood, bring your dog there once in a while, so you can have fun with your friends while letting your dog roam a bit.  Making the effort to take your dog out with you will help you bond because he’ll be happy that you don’t want him to be cooped up all day. Plus, your dog may meet other dogs at these bars or restaurants that he may like to play with, so he’ll love the extra social time. If you have trained your dog well and think training competitions are the way to go, then another way for you and your dog to bond is for you to enter him in competitions. You can then spend more time grooming your dog, teaching him tricks, and traveling with your dog as well. Though this isn’t for everybody, if you’re committed to training your dog, this can be a great bonding activity. Entering your dog in competitions will mean that you have to spend a lot of quality time with your dog. What could be better than that? Though it may sound silly and your dog won’t really know that he’s watching a dog on television, you can have a nice time watching a dog-themed movie with your dog. You can watch Lassie, Homeward Bound, Lady and the Tramp, or a number of other dog-themed flicks while hanging out with your favorite creature for a few hours. Pay attention to your dog while watching the movie and make sure to give him lots of affection, petting, and maybe even a few treats. Setting aside some time to watch a movie with your dog will let you slow down and just hang out with your dog without creating a bunch of elaborate plans for your bonding time. Though activities are nice, so is just hanging out, the same as it is when you’re hanging out with people. Some nursing homes or hospitals have programs that allow you to bring in your dogs to help cheer up sick patients. Look into your neighborhood hospitals and nursing homes to see if you can bring your dog to one of these programs. This can be a great way for you and your dog to share the love with people in need and to bring joy to their lives. Your dog will love the social time and the attention and will appreciate the effort you’ve made to bring him to a new environment. It’s a win-win situation. Not only will you be helping out your community, but you’ll be bonding with your dog in a new way. Another thing you can go to go above and beyond in your bond with your dog is to go on a road trip with him. You don’t have to go very far — just a weekend trip or a long drive to a lake or a park will do. Let your dog sit in the front or back seat, roll down the window, and let him feel the breeze on his face. Your dog will appreciate this special time you spend together and will love the freedom of the open road as well as the time you spend together. Take the trip to a fun, dog-friendly destination like a park or a beach. Make the experience all about letting your dog roam free while having fun with you.
Summary:
Give your dog a relaxing massage. Take your dog to work or to a bar or restaurant. Enter your dog in training competitions. Watch a dog-themed movie together. Take your dog to a nursing home or hospital. Go on a road trip with your dog.