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Allergy Symptoms in Adults

Allergies are caused by your body's reaction to an outside substance. It could be something in your environment, such as pollen or grass; it could also be something you ingest or come into contact with, such as a particular food or even a clothing fiber. Allergy symptoms can occur one time as a result of direct contact with the foreign substance, or they can be recurring due to seasonal exposure to the elements.

  1. Skin Symptoms

    • Some allergic reactions are found on the skin. Examples include exposure to poison ivy or poison oak, which causes red bumps and itchy irritation. Some allergies, such as eczema, are entirely based on a skin reaction and cause dry, itchy, flaky skin. Food allergies may cause hives, as can a drug allergy or a reaction to an insect sting. Bee or other insect stings can also cause swelling around the area of the sting as well as redness and irritation.

    Sinus Symptoms

    • Seasonal allergies often cause symptoms in the sinus cavities. Pollen or dust allergies, for example, might result in sneezing and watery eyes, itchy throat or sinus pain and pressure.

    Airway Symptoms

    • Wheezing and shortness of breath are common allergy symptoms that affect the airway. An insect sting can cause these symptoms in addition to cough and pain in the chest. Hay fever or other seasonal allergies can also affect the flow of a person's airway.

    Digestive Symptoms

    • Food allergies are most likely to cause digestive symptoms. People who are allergic to dairy products, for example, may find they have vomiting or diarrhea when they ingest these products. Nausea and vomiting can also be signs of anaphylaxis, which is a severe allergic reaction.

    Severe Symptoms

    • Anaphylaxis is a serious or severe reaction that requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include dizziness, loss of consciousness, shortness of breath, vomiting and swelling of the airways. If untreated, these symptoms can lead to severe injury or death. Anaphylaxis is usually caused by a person's severe allergy to a particular food or an insect sting.

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