Allergy symptoms differ depending on the type of allergy. Allergy symptoms typically involve the airways, sinuses, nasal passages and skin. They can range from mild to severe.
What Are the Symptoms of Anaphylaxis?
Symptoms of anaphylaxis typically start within 5 to 30 minutes of coming into contact with the allergen to which you are allergic. In some cases it may take more than an hour for you to notice anaphylactic symptoms.
Warning signs typically affect more than one part of the body and may include:
- Red rash, with hives/welts, that is usually itchy.
- Swollen throat or swollen areas of the body.
- Wheezing.
- Passing out.
- Chest tightness.
- Trouble breathing.
- Trouble swallowing.
- Vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Stomach cramping.
- Pale or red color to the face and body.
- Feeling of impending doom.
Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency; without prompt treatment, patients can go into shock or cardiac arrest.
What Are the Symptoms of Seasonal Allergies?
Seasonal allergies are among the most common. Often referred to as hay fever, they are the result of molds or pollen from various flowering plants, grasses and trees. Since some plants only grow and flower at a certain time of year and some molds grow better in different weather conditions, these allergies may only affect you during specific seasons.
Common symptoms include:
- Nasal congestion.
- Sneezing.
- Runny nose.
- Itchy eyes and throat.
- Watery eyes.
- Postnasal drip.
What Are the Symptoms of Skin Allergies?
It’s unlikely that a skin allergy would go unnoticed; the redness, swelling, itchiness, hives, rash, and peeling or flaking skin are dead giveaways.
There are many potential sources of skin allergies including:
- Beauty products and cosmetics.
- Perfumes.
- Topical ointments.
- Household solvents.
- Latex.
- Insect stings.
- Certain medications.
- Poisonous plants (such as poison ivy, oak and sumac).
What Are the Symptoms of Food Allergies?
An estimated 50 million Americans suffer from food allergies. They are most common in young children but can affect people of all ages. Symptoms range from mild to severe and include:
- Hives.
- Stomach cramps.
- Vomiting.
- Wheezing.
- Cough.
- Hoarseness.
- Swelling of the tongue.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Weak pulse.
- Pale skin.
Any food can trigger a reaction, but the majority of food allergies occur in response to peanuts, shellfish, milk, eggs, tree nuts, fish, wheat and soy.
Call PDX ENT at (503) 222-3638 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
