Allergy Symptoms
Allergy symptoms can come in many forms. Hay fever can cause sneezing, a runny nose, a lingering cough, aches, and fatigue because of something you’ve swallowed, inhaled, or touched. Atopic dermatitis manifests itself in the form of chronic skin inflammation, and contact dermatitis can cause temporary redness swelling and blisters. Some people develop hives and other skin reactions to allergens including sunlight, of all things. Additional allergy sufferers experience an inflammation of the mucus membrane lining the sinuses. Others get headaches when exposes to certain foods or airborne substances. Allergies can cause burning, redness and itching of the eyes, called allergic conjunctivitis, or allergic pink eye. Allergies can likewise stuff up your ears and throw off your balance. Patients have been known to develop oral allergy syndrome, which means their lips, mouth, or pharynx swell up from a food allergen. Oral allergy syndrome can prove dangerous or even life threatening if swelling causing a blockage of the airway. In more rare cases, allergies can make tonsils and adenoids swell up, sometimes elongating the facial appearance of growing children.
Of all the allergy symptoms possible, in addition to being the most common, the symptoms of allergic rhinitis can also be the most misleading, because they’re so similar to that of the common cold or flu—runny nose, congestion, and sneezing. The difference between cold symptoms and the symptoms of allergic rhinitis are that with an allergy, you don’t usually have a sore throat. Unlike with a cold or flu, mucus is transparent, colorless, and runny. You don’t have a fever. You tend to sneeze in rapid clusters. Your symptoms get better or worse depending where you are. Your ears, nose, and throat itch, and feel better after you take an antihistamine. What also makes allergy symptoms differ is that they occur gradually rather than all at once, and persist longer than ten days.
Allergies don’t just affect a person physically; they can have emotional consequences as well. Some allergy sufferers have trouble sleeping at night because of congestion, headache, or other uncomfortable symptoms. This lack of sleep negatively impacts their daily energy level and overall morale. Studies have shown that children with allergies that affect their tonsils/adenoids can develop sleep disturbances, nightmares, and extreme daytime fatigue.
Allergy sufferers sometimes deal with embarrassment due to unsightly rashes or a persistently runny nose. It is not unusual to have some difficulty concentrating when irritating allergy symptoms are distracting you, leaving you fuzzy headed or absentminded. Being unable to give tasks your all may make you feel guilty, further hindering your morale. What’s more, allergies can sap you of your energy so you don’t feel like socializing or working. Let’s face it, when you don’t feel well, it can get you down, and even make you want to avoid things you normally enjoy. Your friends and family may say you’re irritable, or not quite yourself. Fortunately, there are a variety of allergy medications available to help you alleviate your symptoms, whatever they may be.