Allergies cannot be cured. Knowing what causes them, however, can help individuals prevent health problems stemming from symptomatic complications or chronic recurrence. Tracing allergy symptoms in adults can reveal possible triggers for avoidance.
This form of treatment is especially important to people with extreme sensitivities or who already have asthma. Extreme allergic reactions can produce anaphylaxis, a symptom that threatens the whole body's metabolism. Asthmatics have a high risk of critical breathing problems set off by allergens.
Itching
Itching is an allergy symptom that is common to most types of allergies. The Mayo Clinic notes that the location of itching is specific to the health problem. Hay fever and sensitivities to animal dander or dust mites may cause itchy eyes or nose.
Local itching in the mouth may indicate a food allergy. Itchy skin can be caused by insect stings, drug allergies or contact dermatitis from poison oak or another substance.
Nasal Irritation
Seasonal hay fever and perennial allergies to indoor mold, dust mites, cockroaches or pet dander can cause recurrent respiratory health problems. The University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC, lists nasal symptoms as runny nose, congestion, sneezing and postnasal drip.
Swelling
Swelling of lips, the face or the tongue may be allergy symptoms of a food or drug sensitivity, according to the UMMC. Swelling where an insect has injected its venom indicates an allergic reaction.
Hives
An itchy, red rash that develops painful bumps is sometimes called hives. The Mayo Clinic associates this symptom with reactions to foods, drugs, insects and many contact dermatitis triggers such as plants, chemicals and cleaning agents.
Digestive Upset
Digestive allergy symptoms narrow the allergy diagnosis, based on the foods and drugs ingested that day. Diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and stomach cramps may occur soon after eating or taking medicine. As the UMMC states, this type of allergic reaction can progress to anaphylaxis, which may add to or include any digestive symptoms.
Trouble Breathing
Breathing problems caused by allergies are usually due to inflammation of the airways in response to an allergen. Coughing and wheezing may accompany severe hay-fever conditions, insect stings and food or drug allergies. The Mayo Clinic reports that chest tightness or shortness of breath can be caused by serious insect stings and other anaphylactic allergic reactions.
Dizziness
Anaphylaxis causes cardiovascular events at the same time as breathing becomes obstructed. This can induce dizziness, an abnormal pulse and loss of consciousness. This reaction is rare but can cause death, according to the National Institutes of Health.
