5 Things You Need to Know About Allergy Symptoms

1. Is It a Cold Or Is It Allergies?

Allergy symptoms attack because the body's immune system overreacts to pollen. It's sometimes hard to tell whether allergies are present because some symptoms are similar to cold symptoms. They include a scratchy throat, coughing, sneezing, itchy or water eyes, congestion and a runny nose. However, with a cold you're also battling a fever, sore throat and aches in addition to the other symptoms. Also, a cold is contagious while allergies are not. Some people suffer from year-round allergies, while others experience seasonal allergies, which are likely to occur in the spring and fall.

2. Environment Plays a Role

Indoor/outdoor allergies are the most common because everyday surroundings such as dust mites, trees, grass, mold spores from wet surfaces and pet dander trigger them. You can inhale each of these substances into your lungs through the air. Exposure to latex, lotions or perfumes can cause skin allergies, also known as contact dermatitis. Skin allergies cause redness, itching or swelling. Poison oak, sumac and ivy are plant-related culprits of skin allergies.

3. Anaphylaxis Can Threaten Your Life

Substances or chemicals found in penicillin and aspirin can cause an allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Bee stings and foods such as nuts, eggs, shellfish and milk also cause anaphylaxis. Get to the doctor or to a hospital if you experience low blood pressure, joint swelling, throat itchiness, a rash or flushed skin, nausea, convulsions or fainting. You need to seek treatment for anaphylaxis quickly or else it can cause death.

4. Tests Confirm Allergy Triggers

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and your family and medical history. Some allergy tests may follow the physical examination. For a blood test, a sample is taken to a lab and an allergen is added to the blood sample to examine the level of antibodies formed to fight the allergens. If you have a skin test, expect an injection of a sample allergen under the skin. Redness, itching or swelling of that test site means that you are allergic to the allergen. Finally, the patch test involves placing a sample allergen onto your skin and covering it with a bandage. If you develop a rash within two days of the test, then an allergy is present.

5. Take the Necessary Precautions

Nonprescription and prescription antihistamines and decongestants reduce swelling, stuffiness, sneezing and runny nose. Corticosteroid nasal sprays also help with nasal congestion, while corticosteroid creams relieve rashes. Allergy shots are useful to help you build resistance to the allergen over time. Dusting and vacuuming regularly can reduce the dust mites at home. Avoid having dogs, cats and birds as pets because dander, animal saliva and shedding can bring on allergies. Keep windows closed, if possible, to keep the pollen out of your home. Lastly, change your air filter to prevent allergens from entering your heating or air conditioning unit.