| Allergy symptoms range from the life threatening to | | | | Itching or Red Skin |
| the irritating to the downright bizarre; but they all | | | | Irritated skin is another common symptom of an |
| tend to share one thing in common: people want to | | | | allergy. These tend to indicate an allergy to |
| get rid of them! Whether you're constantly sneezing, | | | | something like a washing powder or perfume; many |
| or if your heart sinks at the phrase 'may contain nuts' | | | | people find that when they change their washing |
| then the chances are you want to be rid of your | | | | powder they have an allergic reaction of this sort. |
| allergies. But to get rid of them you first have to | | | | This effect is most commonly called 'contact |
| know what it is you have. If you think you may have | | | | dermatitis', as it occurs when the skin comes into |
| an allergy, look out for these four most common | | | | contact with an irritant. However, there are other |
| symptoms. | | | | types of rash such as eczema which are caused by |
| Sneezing | | | | causes other than simple contact. There are also |
| Allergy symptoms are the result of allergens causing | | | | conditions such as hives which come under this |
| reaction within our immune system, which in turn | | | | heading. Hives are raised lumps on the skin, which are |
| causes the unpleasant side effects of an allergy. A | | | | mostly red in color. They can last varying amounts of |
| classic case of this is sneezing; the nasal passage | | | | time from a few minutes to a few days. |
| becomes irritated by the allergen, and the body | | | | Headaches |
| responds by trying to expel the foreign particle and | | | | Headaches are a common allergy symptom. The |
| clear the irritant. It is an attempt by the immune | | | | presence of a headache in an allergic reaction is quite |
| system to rid the body of a potential threat. The | | | | common, mostly due to pressure which builds up in |
| violent expulsion of air caused by the sneeze | | | | the sinuses. This is especially true for anyone who |
| attempts to eliminate the threat and maintain a clean | | | | gets violent sneezing reactions as part of their |
| environment for the body. Of course this can get | | | | allergies. There can also be headaches which are |
| rather irritating if you are trying to have a | | | | caused by certain foods. Additives such as MSG are |
| conversation, and instead you end up spraying the | | | | incredibly bad for you and your health, and should |
| person in front of you unexpectedly! | | | | always be eaten in moderate amounts or not at all if |
| Watering Eyes | | | | possible. As well as this, having an allergy to a specific |
| Watering eyes are a similar reaction to sneezing; | | | | type of food which isn't bad for you can cause |
| again the body is trying to get rid of a potential | | | | headaches. |
| threat by flushing out the tear ducts. This reaction is | | | | These are a just some of the allergy symptoms you |
| designed to swill out the eyes and particularly to | | | | should look out for. And remember - always consult a |
| wash away pollen which is the biggest culprit in | | | | medical professional to ensure that you aren't missing |
| allergic reactions. | | | | anything important in your diagnosis! |