10 Signs That You May Have an Allergy
According to statistics in the United
States, about 55 percent of the population has some form of allergy,
making it the fifth most common condition in the country. These numbers
are just a small taste of the world allergy pandemic that has spread in
past years, with more and more individuals discovering that they are
allergic to a certain element in their surroundings.
So how can you know if you have an allergy? Here are 10 tell-tale signs that you may have an allergy and should consult a specialist for testing.
|
First off, it is important to know
that allergies can be a response to a wide range of elements. These are
some of the most common:
Food Allergies:
This is one of the most common allergies, especially in childhood, and
it is important to identify them early on because some of them can be
serious and even deadly. The most common foods people are allergic to
are: nuts, certain fruits and vegetables, milk, eggs, and other animal
products, and finally, gluten.
Seasonal Allergies:
By far the most common allergy, but also one of the less damaging in
terms of its effects. Hay fever is the most common symptom, and
according to U.S. statistics, over 4 million workdays are lost each year
due to the effects of seasonal allergies. They occur during changes in
seasons and as a result of quick change in climate.
Pet Allergies:
This allergy is commonly to dog and cat fur, which can cause serious
symptoms like wheezing, itching, tearing of the eyes, and rashes. Many
individuals are allergic to their pets and may not even know it.
Plant Allergies: These
are a less common form of allergy, which usually is a reaction to the
pollen that plants give off. Some of the most common plants people are
allergic to are ragweed, cedar trees, some forms of grass, as well as
pigweed heavy in pollen.
Allergies to Chemicals:
There's no doubt that this allergy makes sense. Every year, more and
more people become allergic to certain beauty products, cleaning
materials and even processed foods due to the industrial chemicals that
are added to them.
10 Allergy Indicating Symptoms
1. A Runny Nose
When
your nose starts to run uncontrollably you either have a cold, or have
an allergy. The difference between how you feel when you've come down
with a cold, and how you feel when you have an allergy is usually
noticeable in that with an allergy you will experience constant
sneezing, while with a cold it is more controlled. You may also begin to
experience what is called 'post nasal drip', which means the liquid in
your sinuses drips down your windpipe, causing an annoying itching
feeling in the back of your throat. If children experience this symptom
in the spring or fall, it is usually a good sign that they have seasonal
allergies and it is recommended to contact a doctor for proper testing
and care.
2. Under-Eye Bags
When you get dark circles under your
eyes regardless of how long you sleep at night, this is a good sign that
you may have an allergy. Usually, the dark circles are accompanied by
red, itchy and watering eyes. Many of these symptoms can be relieved
with a good dose of antihistamines, but if the symptoms still remain, it
is important to consult a doctor to see if they allergy may be more
serious.
3. Chronic Congestion
If your sinuses are congested on a
regular basis, meaning longer than just the duration of a common cold,
this could be a sign that you have seasonal, plant or animal related
allergies. During allergic reactions to these triggers, the lining of
the nasal passage can swell and produce extra mucus that leaves your
nose feeling blocked. This blockage can cause painful sinus pressure
between your brows or headaches. While decongestants can provide you
with short-term relief, it is best to, once again, consult an allergist
to see if there is a better solution for the long-run.
4. Wheezing
One of the most common allergy
symptoms, the act of wheezing, or feeling short of breath, can also be a
symptom of a more serious condition known as asthma. However, if you
don't have a history of asthma, it is worthwhile to consider that you
may have an allergy to your surroundings. Wheezing is characterized by a
whistling sound when you breathe, which is caused by the narrowing of
your airways. Wheezing can be very serious, especially if you are
physically active on a regular basis, and if you have this symptom, you
should contact a health professional or allergist immediately.
5. Itchy Skin
Although itching may be a sign of dry
skin, when it doesn't leave you after applying lotions and other
creams, it is most likely that this is a sign of some form of allergy.
Itchy skin is a reaction known as eczema, usually resulting in small red
bumps on the skin that are itchy and irritating. Eczema can be a
reaction to soaps, detergents, pets, certain foods and other materials. A
short-term solution is to take an antihistamine or apply a chamomile
moisturizer that will soothe the skin. For stronger solutions, it is
worthwhile asking your doctor for a hydrocortisone prescription or other
medications.
6. Hives
Hives are never a good sign. Hives
are red patches on the skin that usually itch or even hurt and can last
anywhere from several hours to several days. They can be the result of
an allergic reaction to certain foods, medications or even insect bites,
but once you get them, it is imperative to treat them. An antihistamine
will give you relief in the meantime, but if they return, you may need
more thorough treatment, like steroids.
7. Insomnia
This is one of the dreaded conditions of mankind, but you may not know that it can also be a sign that you are allergic. Usually, allergy-related insomnia is the result of constant
sneezy, itching, couching, or wheezing that will keep you up and make
it hard to fall asleep. This is the point when you can start to go crazy
over your allergies!
8. Trouble Concentrating
While many have trouble concentrating
as it is without allergies, those with an allergy can suffer from
attention disorders as a result of their bothersome symptoms or the
medication they take. If you feel that your personal or professional
life is being affected by your allergies, it is recommended to contact
your doctor and discuss other available options for treatment besides
antihistamine medications.
9. Fatigue
Either you can't sleep at all, or you
sleep too much. Fatigue as it is related to allergies can be the result
of your insomnia and not sleeping enough at night, or the effect of the
medicine. The allergies themselves can also cause fatigue, a common
symptom for those with food or pet related allergies. Try purchasing the
antihistamines that are non-drowsy, and if they still don't work,
consult your doctor for further help and testing.
10. Depression
Believe it or not, allergies can
really take over your life. If they are not cared for, they can make you
sleepless, tired, hungry, angry and eventually depressed. Recent
research points to a connection between allergies and extreme mood
changes, like depression, and this time its most likely not the
medication's thought.
Although some of these symptoms are
more prominent in certain locations rather than others, it is good to
know what having an allergy can look like so, in the case that you have
one, you can receive the proper treatment as swiftly as possible.
|
According to statistics in the United
States, about 55 percent of the population has some form of allergy,
making it the fifth most common condition in the country. These numbers
are just a small taste of the world allergy pandemic that has spread in
past years, with more and more individuals discovering that they are
allergic to a certain element in their surroundings.
So how can you know if you have an allergy? Here are 10 tell-tale signs that you may have an allergy and should consult a specialist for testing.
|
First off, it is important to know
that allergies can be a response to a wide range of elements. These are
some of the most common:
Food Allergies:
This is one of the most common allergies, especially in childhood, and
it is important to identify them early on because some of them can be
serious and even deadly. The most common foods people are allergic to
are: nuts, certain fruits and vegetables, milk, eggs, and other animal
products, and finally, gluten.
Seasonal Allergies:
By far the most common allergy, but also one of the less damaging in
terms of its effects. Hay fever is the most common symptom, and
according to U.S. statistics, over 4 million workdays are lost each year
due to the effects of seasonal allergies. They occur during changes in
seasons and as a result of quick change in climate.
Pet Allergies:
This allergy is commonly to dog and cat fur, which can cause serious
symptoms like wheezing, itching, tearing of the eyes, and rashes. Many
individuals are allergic to their pets and may not even know it.
Plant Allergies: These
are a less common form of allergy, which usually is a reaction to the
pollen that plants give off. Some of the most common plants people are
allergic to are ragweed, cedar trees, some forms of grass, as well as
pigweed heavy in pollen.
Allergies to Chemicals:
There's no doubt that this allergy makes sense. Every year, more and
more people become allergic to certain beauty products, cleaning
materials and even processed foods due to the industrial chemicals that
are added to them.
10 Allergy Indicating Symptoms
1. A Runny Nose
When
your nose starts to run uncontrollably you either have a cold, or have
an allergy. The difference between how you feel when you've come down
with a cold, and how you feel when you have an allergy is usually
noticeable in that with an allergy you will experience constant
sneezing, while with a cold it is more controlled. You may also begin to
experience what is called 'post nasal drip', which means the liquid in
your sinuses drips down your windpipe, causing an annoying itching
feeling in the back of your throat. If children experience this symptom
in the spring or fall, it is usually a good sign that they have seasonal
allergies and it is recommended to contact a doctor for proper testing
and care.
2. Under-Eye Bags
When you get dark circles under your
eyes regardless of how long you sleep at night, this is a good sign that
you may have an allergy. Usually, the dark circles are accompanied by
red, itchy and watering eyes. Many of these symptoms can be relieved
with a good dose of antihistamines, but if the symptoms still remain, it
is important to consult a doctor to see if they allergy may be more
serious.
3. Chronic Congestion
If your sinuses are congested on a
regular basis, meaning longer than just the duration of a common cold,
this could be a sign that you have seasonal, plant or animal related
allergies. During allergic reactions to these triggers, the lining of
the nasal passage can swell and produce extra mucus that leaves your
nose feeling blocked. This blockage can cause painful sinus pressure
between your brows or headaches. While decongestants can provide you
with short-term relief, it is best to, once again, consult an allergist
to see if there is a better solution for the long-run.
4. Wheezing
One of the most common allergy
symptoms, the act of wheezing, or feeling short of breath, can also be a
symptom of a more serious condition known as asthma. However, if you
don't have a history of asthma, it is worthwhile to consider that you
may have an allergy to your surroundings. Wheezing is characterized by a
whistling sound when you breathe, which is caused by the narrowing of
your airways. Wheezing can be very serious, especially if you are
physically active on a regular basis, and if you have this symptom, you
should contact a health professional or allergist immediately.
5. Itchy Skin
Although itching may be a sign of dry
skin, when it doesn't leave you after applying lotions and other
creams, it is most likely that this is a sign of some form of allergy.
Itchy skin is a reaction known as eczema, usually resulting in small red
bumps on the skin that are itchy and irritating. Eczema can be a
reaction to soaps, detergents, pets, certain foods and other materials. A
short-term solution is to take an antihistamine or apply a chamomile
moisturizer that will soothe the skin. For stronger solutions, it is
worthwhile asking your doctor for a hydrocortisone prescription or other
medications.
6. Hives
Hives are never a good sign. Hives
are red patches on the skin that usually itch or even hurt and can last
anywhere from several hours to several days. They can be the result of
an allergic reaction to certain foods, medications or even insect bites,
but once you get them, it is imperative to treat them. An antihistamine
will give you relief in the meantime, but if they return, you may need
more thorough treatment, like steroids.
7. Insomnia
This is one of the dreaded conditions of mankind, but you may not know that it can also be a sign that you are allergic. Usually, allergy-related insomnia is the result of constant
sneezy, itching, couching, or wheezing that will keep you up and make
it hard to fall asleep. This is the point when you can start to go crazy
over your allergies!
8. Trouble Concentrating
While many have trouble concentrating
as it is without allergies, those with an allergy can suffer from
attention disorders as a result of their bothersome symptoms or the
medication they take. If you feel that your personal or professional
life is being affected by your allergies, it is recommended to contact
your doctor and discuss other available options for treatment besides
antihistamine medications.
9. Fatigue
Either you can't sleep at all, or you
sleep too much. Fatigue as it is related to allergies can be the result
of your insomnia and not sleeping enough at night, or the effect of the
medicine. The allergies themselves can also cause fatigue, a common
symptom for those with food or pet related allergies. Try purchasing the
antihistamines that are non-drowsy, and if they still don't work,
consult your doctor for further help and testing.
10. Depression
Believe it or not, allergies can
really take over your life. If they are not cared for, they can make you
sleepless, tired, hungry, angry and eventually depressed. Recent
research points to a connection between allergies and extreme mood
changes, like depression, and this time its most likely not the
medication's thought.
Although some of these symptoms are
more prominent in certain locations rather than others, it is good to
know what having an allergy can look like so, in the case that you have
one, you can receive the proper treatment as swiftly as possible.
|
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