Common Allergies & Symptoms

Allergies are discovered when the body reacts negatively with symptoms to any number of ingredients that are common in most environments and don't trouble most people The American Academy of Family Physicians reports that when the body reacts to a substance, that material is referred to as an allergen. Common allergens include pollen from trees and weeds, animal dander, mold and dust. Common allergies also can be recognized by common symptoms.

Respiratory Problems

Coughing and sneezing are common symptoms to most allergens. Sinuses become irritated, resulting in a runny nose. The eyes and nose can become dry and irritated. Conversely, allergic reactions can also cause stuffy sinuses that clog airways. Sinus irritation that is referred to as hay fever often strikes in the spring when pollen is most prevalent. Respiratory problems can happen as a result of an insect sting that causes tightness in the chest, coughing and wheezing or shortness of breath. According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, sinusitis that causes inflammation of the sinuses, can be an allergic reaction to various fungi.

Eczema

Skin irritation is a common reaction to allergies affecting the skin. Also called atopic dermatitis, the condition causes red, itchy skin that may appear as rash. The redness may be localized to a small patch or spread over the body. Doctors at the Mayo Clinic report that eczema can result from touching a substance that the person is allergic to, and it can result from an internal reaction to food allergens or medications. As the redness dissipates, the affected skin becomes flaky and can peel off.

Swelling

Allergies can cause swelling in the mouth and on the lips after touching food that contains allergens for some people. The initial signs of the allergic swelling may be preceded by a tingling sensation. Swelling that occurs on the skin at the site of a bug bite is common when people are sensitive to the bug's venom. Facial swelling is a common reaction to drug allergies, and swollen eyes are prominent in pollen allergies.

Anaphylaxis

Severe reactions to allergens can cause a serious reaction called anaphylaxis. According to doctors at the Mayo Clinic, anaphylaxis is a life-threatening medical emergency that can send the body into shock. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include the swelling of throat tissue that cuts off the flow of oxygen and blocks breathing. People with anaphylaxis become lightheaded and often lose consciousness. They become severely short of breath and may vomit. As several of the body's organs go through allergic reactions, the person's pulse becomes weak. Sometimes skin rashes appear. Anaphylaxis can occur as an allergic reaction to latex, food and insect bites.