Chronic allergies may affect people year round, seasonally or during occasional contact, but they are all considered chronic health problems. After people become sensitized to a particular allergen, they will react to it to some degree whenever they next contact that substance.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, allergies are the sixth most common chronic disease in the United States. Individuals can use recurrent allergy signs to determine the cause of allergic reactions and to choose the best treatments.
Eye Symptoms
Seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis causes itchy, teary eyes. High levels of allergens or rubbing the eyes may lead to redness and swollen eyelids.
The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that hay fever pollens and indoor air contamination with mold, dust mites and pet dander can all produce allergic reactions with these symptoms. More serious respiratory health problems may be avoided by heeding these allergy signs and providing quick treatment.
Nose Symptoms
Allergic rhinitis is also responsible for nasal symptoms, the first of which may be a dry itch in the nasal passages. As the University of Maryland Medical Center reports, this may be followed by a runny nose, sneezing and post-nasal drip. The excess mucus may cause a stuffy nose, making breathing difficult.
Mouth Symptoms
Allergy signs of rhinitis may extend to itching in the mouth and throat as well. The MayoClinic.com relates that itching or tingling in the mouth also may indicate an allergic reaction to a food. In addition, food allergies can cause swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, which could present severe respiratory health problems.
Skin Symptoms
Facial swelling may be an allergy sign of an insect sting or drug reaction, according to the MayoClinic.com. Red, itchy, flaky skin may alternatively indicate a drug allergy or atopic dermatitis, a chronic type of eczema.
Contact dermatitis, a skin reaction to an irritant or allergen such as perfume or poison ivy, may result in an itchy, red rash, with pain, blistering, or dry bumps, also called hives. These may be symptomatic of a food, drug or insect sting allergy as well.
Breathing Symptoms
Allergic reactions to airborne contaminants, insect venom, foods or drugs may show a range of breathing symptoms. From simple congestion brought on by rhinitis to a severe condition called anaphylaxis, respiratory health problems are common across allergy classifications other than contact dermatitis, notes the Cleveland Clinic.
This is because many allergens are ingested deeply into the airways, causing inflammation and swelling. Swelling that obstructs breathing can cause coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and dizziness from lack of oxygen.
