| Usually, substances such as pollen, animal dander, and | | | | response that you body is creating. Just like when |
| dust are harmless. However, some of us have an | | | | you're sick, it takes a lot of energy for you body to |
| immune system that believes these ordinary | | | | get better. Even though you are not technically sick, |
| substances are a threat. In response, the body | | | | your body thinks you are. That's what makes you |
| creates antibodies normally reserved for fighting true | | | | feel so tired. In addition, some allergy medications can |
| dangers, such as bacteria and viruses. Since the | | | | cause additional drowsiness. |
| immune system incorrectly believes the allergen to be | | | | Food Allergy Reactions happen when your body |
| threat, it begins to create an immune response as if | | | | mistakes certain foods as harmful, and the reaction |
| it were fighting off an illness. The immune system's | | | | can become more severe every time the food |
| response is what causes nearly all allergy symptoms. | | | | allergen is encountered, but sometimes children can |
| There are a wide range of symptoms associated | | | | outgrow mild food allergies. Allergic reactions to food |
| with allergies, and none of them are very pleasant. | | | | usually happen within a few minutes of eating the |
| Allergy symptoms can range from very mild to | | | | offending food, but it can sometimes take several |
| life-threatening. If you suffer from allergies, you are | | | | hours to develop, which can make it hard to know |
| not alone. Allergies, and other hypersensitivity | | | | which food is causing the allergy. It is very important |
| reactions, currently affect approximately 30% of the | | | | to have it diagnosed if you suspect that you may |
| population. The following is a list of some common | | | | have a food allergy, so that you can know for |
| allergy symptoms: | | | | certain which foods to avoid. The first symptom of |
| Nasal Symptoms are a common allergic reaction to a | | | | an allergic reaction to food is often itching and |
| variety of allergens. Sometimes called Allergic rhinitis, | | | | swelling in the mouth, tongue and throat. Some other |
| or "hayfever", these symptoms afflict 20% of the | | | | common food allergy symptoms are:skin reactions- |
| US population and are often a result of airborne | | | | hives, swelling, itching, eczema and |
| pollens, dander, dust or other allergens. Some | | | | rednessvomitingdiarrheacoughing, wheezing or a |
| common nasal allergy symptoms include: | | | | runny noseswelling of the lipssore, red and itchy eyes |
| Nasal Congestion (Stuffiness) | | | | Severe Symptoms, known as Anaphylaxis, can be |
| Sneezing | | | | life-threatening. It consists of a series of reactions in |
| Runny nose | | | | which the entire body's response to the allergen |
| Itchy nose | | | | comes on suddenly. It can begins with sudden itching |
| Impaired Sense of Smell | | | | of the eyes or face and within minutes can progress |
| Swollen Nasal Membrain | | | | to more serious symptoms, including: |
| Sinus Headaches | | | | Swelling of the esophagus which can make breathing |
| Sore Throat (caused by nasal drip) | | | | and swallowing difficult |
| Skin Symptoms like hives, contact dermatitis, and | | | | Abdominal pain and cramping |
| exema (charachterized by inflamed, itchy or dry skin) | | | | Vomiting |
| are all relatively common forms of allergic reactions. | | | | Diarrhea or bowel irritation |
| Usually these types of skin symptoms occur when | | | | Mental confusion and/or dizziness |
| the skin comes into direct contact with an allergen, or | | | | How Can You Know if Your Symptoms are Allergies |
| it can be an immune response to eating food that | | | | or a Cold? |
| you're allergic too. Some of these conditions can | | | | Allergies, colds and flus all share many of the same |
| cause small, reddish bumps. They are caused by an | | | | symptoms like congestion (stuffy nose), runny nose, |
| inflammatory reaction, causing leakage from the | | | | and sneezing. One way to tell is that colds do not |
| capillaries of your skin. | | | | usually last longer than 10 days. If your symptoms |
| Eye Symptoms, or Allergic conjunctivitis, is a common | | | | carry on longer than then, then you may be |
| allergic reaction to many different types of allergens | | | | experiencing allergy symptoms. Another clue can be |
| and can be caused by an allergen physically getting in | | | | "itchiness". Allergies often cause an itchy sensation in |
| the eyes, such as dust, or as a side-effect of a food | | | | either your eyes or nose. Your allergy doctor can |
| allergy. It is caused when the conjunctiva (the | | | | help determine the cause of your symptoms and |
| membrane covering the white part of the eye) | | | | how to treat them. Here are some simple guidelines. |
| enflames due to allergy. One of the most common | | | | It's probably an allergy if: |
| causes is hay fever. Symptoms consist of redness | | | | You have no fever. |
| (mainly due to the swelling of small blood vessels), | | | | Mucus secretions are clear and runny. |
| itching and increased tear production. | | | | Sneezes occur in a rapid, multiple sequence. |
| Ear pain, especially in children, is often a result of fluid | | | | Your nose, ears, and throat feel itchy (especially the |
| building up pressure behind the eardrum. The middle | | | | palate or roof of your mouth). |
| ear is connected to the nasal passages by a short | | | | Symptoms last longer than the typical duration of a |
| narrow tube, known as the Eustachian tube. The | | | | cold (which is usually 7 to 10 days). |
| Eustachian tube drains fluids out of the middle ear, | | | | Your symptoms get worse when you are in one |
| and helps keep the pressure of the ear equalized. | | | | environment, and get better when you are not in |
| Allergies can cause inflammation of the Eustachian | | | | that environment. |
| tube, and cause secretions to build up, preventing the | | | | Your nose, ears, and throat are not as itchy after |
| normal flow of fluid. This happens more often with | | | | you take an antihistamine. |
| children, because their Eustachian tube is shorter. | | | | You feel stuffy and congested. Take the Congestion |
| These accumulating fluids can cause stuffiness, pain, | | | | Test to see if you need treatment. |
| hearing loss, and ear infections. | | | | It may be a cold or the flu if: |
| Headaches are not as common as other allergy | | | | You have a fever. |
| symptoms, but some individuals will experience | | | | Your symptoms occur all together - normal allergy |
| headaches, whether alone or in conjunction with | | | | symptoms tend to appear more gradually. |
| other symptoms like nasal congestion. | | | | You have a sore throat. |
| Fatigue (tired feeling) can be caused by the immune | | | | Your symptoms last only 7 to 10 days. |