What do my allergy symptoms mean?
Allergy symptoms differ depending on the type of allergy. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and typically involve the airways, sinuses, nasal passages, and skin.
Anaphylaxis: The severe allergy symptom
If an allergy is severe, a patient may develop anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a potentially fatal reaction that causes swelling in the throat and breathing difficulties. Symptoms may develop within seconds of exposure and include:
- Swelling of the throat and airways
- Difficulty breathing
- Abdominal pain
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Rapid pulse
- Heart palpitations
- Inflammation of the face and eyes
- Mental confusion
- Shortness of breath
Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency. Without prompt treatment, patients can go into shock or cardiac arrest. If you believe you have an allergy, it is imperative to get tested so you can begin a treatment plan and avoid the life-threatening possibility of a severe reaction or anaphylaxis.
Seasonal Allergies
Seasonal allergies are among the most common. Often referred to as hay fever, they are the result of molds or pollen from various flowering plants, grasses, and trees. Since some plants only grow and flower at a certain time of year and some molds grow better in different weather conditions, seasonal allergies may not affect you year-round. Common seasonal allergic reactions include:
- Nasal congestion or stuffy nose
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Itchy eyes
- Itchy throat
- Water eyes
- Postnasal drip
Skin Allergies
It is unlikely that a skin allergy would go unnoticed; the redness, swelling, itchiness, hives, rash, and peeling or flaking skin are dead giveaways. Common triggers for skin allergies are:
- Postnasal drip
- Beauty products
- Cosmetics
- Perfumes
- Topical ointments
- Household solvents
- Latex
- Insect stings or bites
- Certain medications
- Poisonous plant (poison ivy, oak, or sumac)
Food Allergies
An estimated 50 million Americans suffer from food allergies. They are most common in young children but can affect people of all ages. Symptoms range from mild to severe and can even produce an anaphylactic response. Common symptoms of food allergies can be:
- Hives
- Stomach cramps
- Vomiting
- Wheezing
- Cough
- Hoarseness
- Swelling of the tongue
- Difficulty breathing
- Weak pulse
- Pale skin
- Dizziness
Any food can trigger a reaction, but most food allergies occur in response to:
- Peanuts
- Shellfish
- Milk
- Eggs
- Tree nuts
- Fish
- Wheat
- Soy
Stop suffering from your allergy symptoms.
If you have been termed an “allergic individual”, there may be many causes for your sensitivity. The tendency to be allergic is usually inherited. The most common allergens are dust, molds, pet dander, and pollens such as grass, ragweed, and trees. Some people also have sensitivities to certain foods, bacteria, animal dander, stinging insects, chemicals, and dyes. Sensitivity usually occurs only after repeated exposure to a substance, and a person may be sensitive to more than one allergen and can develop new sensitivities at any time.
The good news is you do not have to keep suffering. Ascentist Healthcare offers allergy testing so we can find what is causing your allergic reactions. Once we know what you are allergic to, we can create a plan based on your medical history and goals to get you feeling back to normal again.
