The Symptoms of Common Allergies
The symptoms associated with a particular allergy will vary based on the substance that’s producing the reaction. Areas affected by various allergies can include the sinuses and nasal passageways, airways, skin and even the digestive system. Plenty of people live with mild allergies, but some can experience such severe reactions that can sometimes be life-threatening– especially if they were unaware of their particular allergy.
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If you are looking to learn more about the symptoms that one might experience, it’ll depend on the specific allergy that you have. Here are some of the most common types of allergies and their associated symptoms:
Food Allergies Symptoms
It’s estimate that about 50 million Americans are living with some form of food allergy. While symptoms may appear at any age, but most first develop early on during infancy or childhood. Unfortunately, some people will develop allergic reactions to foods that they have been eating their entire lives.
The symptoms caused by food allergies can affect the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, cardiovascular system and skin. They usually manifest in one or more of the following ways:
- Hives
- Stomach cramps and vomiting
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Circulatory collapse or shock
- Weak pulse
- Swollen throat or trouble swallowing
- Swollen tongue that limits ability to breathe or talk
- Paling of the skin
- Coughing
- Dizziness or fainting
- Anaphylaxis – a life-threatening reaction that can impede breathing and produce chronic shock causing reaction in various parts of the body all at once.
Dust Allergy Symptoms
Dust allergies are notorious for causing itching and other respiratory symptoms such as an asthma attack. If you do have a dust allergy, then your home is probably the place where you’ll experience the most issues. Ironically, symptoms tend to be exacerbated after dusting, vacuuming or sweeping up a room as this stirs up dust particles into the air. The most common symptoms produced by dust allergies include:
- Runny or stuffed up nose
- Recurring bouts of sneezing
- Itchy, puffy and red eyes
- Itching
- Coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath
Pet Allergy Symptoms
Having a pet can be great, but unfortunately many people are allergic to animals like dogs and cats. It’s still possible to own a pet if you are mildly allergic, but you should understand the types of symptoms you could be experiencing:
- Runny or stuffed up nose
- Recurring bouts of sneezing
- Hives and other forms of skin rash
- Facial pain (most likely from nasal congestion)
- Itchy, red and watery eyes
- Coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath
Insect Sting Allergies
Most people who are stung by an insect will experience some pain and swelling around the affected area. An allergic reaction to a bite or sting can produce much more severe symptoms that affect a wider area of the body. Insect sting allergies can produce the following symptoms:
- Redness
- Pain
- Flushing
- Itching
- Swelling around the sting and beyond
- Hives
- Anaphylaxis
Symptoms of Less Common Allergies
Hay Fever:
- Runny and stuffed up nose
- Sneezing
- Itchy nose, eyes or roof of the mouth
- Itchy, red and watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
Drug Allergies:
- Itchy skin
- Rash
- Hives
- Facial swelling
- Wheezing
- Anaphylaxis
Seeking Medical Attention
If you’ve been struggling with any of these symptoms, it would probably be a good idea to meet with your doctor and get tested for possible allergens. There are a wide variety of treatments available to you, but more severe reactions may require something more than what’s available over-the-counter.
If you’ve experienced a severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis in the past, then you do need to have a serious discussion with your doctor. Make an appointment with allergist in order to identify the cause of your reaction. From there, your doctor will help you develop a long-term management plan to help reduce the risk of future attacks.