Symptoms of Allergies

Allergy symptoms occur when the body treats any substance as dangerous. Immediately the immune system goes into overdrive and releases extra histamine, which causes symptoms associated with allergies. Allergy symptoms range in severity from mild to severe. Sometimes, the body's response to allergens can even be life threatening.

Types

• The most common allergy symptoms are itchy eyes, watery eyes, sneezing, nasal congestion and coughing. Other allergy symptoms include sinus pressure, dizziness, ear pain, headache, fatigue and dry mouth. Airborne chemicals, mold and pollen are the main causes of respiratory allergies.
  Skin rashes indicate a localized allergy (contact dermatitis), food allergy, or less frequently can be another symptom of respiratory allergies. Plants, perfumed soaps, fabric softeners, dyes and many other chemicals can cause contact dermatitis.
  Contact dermatitis typically causes localized itching and burning. This can occur immediately after contact with a substance or after repeated exposure to the irritating substance. Intense itching and red rash, with small or large bumps, are common.
  Symptoms of food allergies include gastrointestinal problems and skin rashes. Other general allergy symptoms may also occur with these symptoms.
  Allergy sufferers should distinguish nonthreatening allergy symptoms from symptoms indicating anaphylaxis. Sudden swelling of the throat, sudden hives, rapid heartbeat, wheezing and trouble breathing are all symptoms of anaphylaxis.
  Respiratory allergies rarely lead to anaphylaxis. Bee sting allergy and severe food allergy, however, are common culprits.

Identification

• Doctors test for allergies using several methods: one common method is the skin prick test. If you have this test, a medical professional will place a substance on your skin and then prick or scrape your skin with a sterile needle. If you develop a red bump, you are allergic to that substance.

Time Frame

• Allergies often develop over time. Persons allergic to bee stings, for example, often have had previous exposure to stings without ill effect. This does not mean, however, that a first time sting cannot cause a severe reaction.
  Seasonal allergies mainly cause respiratory symptoms, though some sensitive people may also develop rashes. Ragweed pollen is a common cause of seasonal allergies in the spring and fall, but any pollen can cause allergic reactions.

Prevention/Solution

• Seasonal allergy sufferers should keep track of pollen counts and avoid spending a lot of time outdoors when counts are high. An indoor air filter may help reduce pollen in the home (pollen travels in via doorways and on clothing). Oral antihistamines help, but some allergy sufferers may need allergy shots.
  If you suffer from skin allergy, find out exactly what caused the reaction, if possible, so you can avoid the perfume, dye, plant or other substance. Contact dermatitis is treated with antihistamine creams, hydrocortisone creams and/or oral antihistamines or steroids.
  People extremely allergic to certain foods or to insect stings should carry epinephrine at all times.

Considerations

• Rashes that cover a large part of the body, or are severe, may indicate a serious infection rather than an allergic reaction.
  Most allergy symptoms are not life threatening---just uncomfortable. However, over time some kinds of allergies, particularly allergies toward certain foods or insects, can become severe. Those who know someone with these allergies should be familiar with the signs of anaphylactic shock and be prepared to administer emergency first aid.