Allergy Symptoms | What Signs To Look For

There are many different kinds of allergy symptoms that can plague people who suffer from any number of allergies. Knowing what they are ahead of time can go a long way in reducing your chances of having a severe allergic reaction. It's a known fact that many people who suffer from allergies are not even aware of it as they just think they are periodically fighting a mild cold. Once they decide to visit a doctor and get properly tested, the diagnosis is usually that they have an allergy to something they come into contact with on a regular basis. If you think about it, is it common to have a cold for two months or more? The answer to that is no. Testing is key to determining what your allergy is for, but being aware of the common symptoms is a good place to start. These symptoms are generally categorized as being either mild, moderate, or in some cases severe.

The mild allergy symptoms are probably the ones that are overlooked by most people. Since they cause you the least amount of pain or discomfort, you can generally live with them. They include a slight skin rash, nasal congestion, and itchy or watery eyes. And while the rash may not be something you would experience with a cold, the other mild symptoms are. It is easy to see why many people remain unaware that all signs point to them having allergies.

While the mild allergy symptoms don't spread to other areas of your body, the moderate ones can sometimes. These include a more pronounced itchiness as well as trouble with your breathing. Once you start to experience something along these lines it becomes more obvious that you do not have a common cold.

When you are talking about a severe allergic reaction or Anaphylaxis, you are experiencing something that can become very serious if left unchecked. It is not very common, but can be life threatening as the reaction is sudden and can affect your entire body. Some of the signs are a lot of swelling and difficulty breathing as well as vomiting, stomach pain or cramps, diarrhea, and severe dizziness or confusion. It is very important to see a doctor immediately if you or someone you know is experiencing allergy symptoms this severe.

Some Quick Facts About Allergies And Their Main Symptoms

  • The parts of your body that are most likely to giving you an allergic reaction are the eyes, nose, skin, lungs, and stomach.
  • Hay fever is the most common of all the allergic conditions and typically refers to a seasonal reaction to pollen.
  • Allergy shots can be quite helpful in reducing the symptoms in people who have constant ongoing problems or who have an intolerance to certain types of medication.
  • Certain things like aerosol spray, air pollution, high humidity, and smoke can make your symptoms worse. They should be avoided as much as possible, especially if you have severe allergies.
  • Some young children may actually have a food allergy even though their skin and blood tests came back negative. This is because allergies in infants are not always mediated by IgE antibodies (a type of immunoglobulin produced by the body that is linked to allergic reactions).

While you should definitely be tested for your allergies by a qualified physician or allergist, knowing what the typical symptoms are can help you become aware of your condition. For instance, if you are experiencing watery eyes and nasal congestion on a seasonal basis then you may have hay fever. Once you have a positive test for this you can speak with your doctor about the current medications and their potential side effects. And if you or someone you know start to experience any of the more severe symptoms you will know that they could be early warning signs of something more severe. Seek medical attention immediately.

The important thing to remember is that knowledge about your specific symptoms can only help you. You will know what to look for, and what types of questions to ask your doctor when you visit their office. For more specific information regarding popular types of allergies like dog, cat, milk, and food visit our many allergy sections located off of our main menu.