What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor
If you develop hives or swelling , ask your healthcare provider:
- Why did I get hives and swelling?
- When should the hives and/or swelling go away?
- Should I get an allergy test?
- What steps can I take to prevent getting hives or swelling in the future?
- Whats the best treatment to reduce itching?
- Whats the best way to get rid of hives?
- Should I look out for signs of complications?
Hives and swelling are your bodys way of responding to a substance that it doesnt like. These reactions are a bit uncomfortable, but are not always serious. You may develop hives alone, hives with swelling, or just swelling. Most of the time, these reactions go away in a day or two. If you are prone to hives or swelling, talk to your healthcare provider about getting an allergy test. Once you know what triggers your allergies, you can take steps to avoid your triggers.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 04/22/2020.
References
How Is Allergic Esophagitis Diagnosed
Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and when they began. Tell him or her if you know certain foods cause your symptoms. Tell him or her if you have any medical conditions or a family history of allergic esophagitis. You may also need any of the following:
- Allergy tests are used to see how your body reacts to certain allergens. The tests may show what is causing your allergic esophagitis.
- A barium swallow x-ray is used to take pictures inside your esophagus. You will swallow barium in a thick liquid before you have the x-ray. The barium helps any injuries show up better on the x-rays.
- Endoscopy is used to find any tissue changes. A scope is used to see inside the esophagus. A scope is a long, bendable tube with a light on the end. The scope is placed in your mouth and passed down your throat and esophagus. A camera may be hooked to the scope to take pictures.
- A biopsy is used to take tissue samples from your esophagus to be tested. The samples may also be checked for any other problems with your esophagus.
Fighting Back Against Allergies Together
If youre experiencing dry mouth, whether as a side-effect of seasonal allergies or for any other reason, dont hesitate to come see us! Your oral health is our top priority, and together we can come up with a plan to keep your mouth healthy until the allergies end and beyond!
Thank you for putting your trust in our practice!
The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
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How Is Allergic Esophagitis Treated
Allergic esophagitis may not go away completely. Treatment may help relieve your symptoms.
- Steroid medicine may help decrease swelling in your esophagus. You will swallow the medicine so it coats your esophagus.
- Stomach acid medicine helps keep heartburn symptoms under control.
- Dilatation is a procedure used when the esophagus narrows from swelling. An endoscope is placed into your mouth and down your throat. Tools on the endoscope press against the tissues to widen your esophagus. Dilatation can improve your symptoms but will not stop allergic esophagitis from happening.
When Mucus In Throat Can Become A Serious Issue
The color of your mucus in throat is a strong indicator of how severe the health problem is. Generally, thin and clear is the safest, and other colors could indicate a particular infection. Here are some guidelines to know when mucus in throat is a serious issue.
Thin and clear: Sign of cold or allergies, it could also be a sign of medication side effect or a reaction to certain food.
Thick and colored: If mucus is very thick, it could be a sign of dryness, which can be caused by heating systems. If mucus appears green, yellow, or brownish, it could indicate a bacterial infection.
Rattling sound in chest: If mucus is dripping down to your chest, it may be difficult to swallow and may cause a rattling sound, which may be pointing to pneumonia.
Burning sensation: If mucus is burning, it could be a result of a heartburn or GERD.Paying attention to your mucus can help offer insights into your overall health and give you indications on how to treat the mucus.
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Viral Infections Causing Your Tonsils To Become Swollen
Swollen and inflamed tonsils is known as tonsillitis. Although this condition is usually more common in children, adults can also get tonsillitis. When accompanied by fever, weight loss, lumps in the neck or elsewhere in the body, and if it becomes a chronic problem, adults should see Premier Urgent Care Center right away for treatment.
Viral infections causing swollen tonsils include the following:
- Adenovirus is the virus that causes the common cold, which is usually accompanied by a sore throat and sometimes bronchitis.
- Known as the kissing disease, mono or Epstein-Barr is caused by infected saliva.
- The HSV-1 or herpes simplex virus can lead to cracked blisters on the tonsils.
- HHV-5 is a virus which stays dormant in the body, but will flare up in a person with a compromised immune system. This can also occur in pregnant women.
- Measles is a very contagious virus affecting the respiratory system.
Treatment For Pollen Allergies
A direct way to manage pollen allergies is to reduce your exposure to pollens. Pollen counts are published in the media and can help you to plan to avoid exposure.Tips to reduce your exposure to pollen include:
- stay indoors in the morning, if possible grass pollens mainly circulate in the morning
- avoid mowing the grass or wear a mask if you do stay indoors when grass is being mowed
- keep windows closed in your home and car
- avoid picnics in parks or in the country during the pollen season
- wear sunglasses to protect your eyes
- plant a low-allergy garden around your home, especially near the windows of your home.
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What Causes Allergic Rhinitis
You have an allergy when your body overreacts to things that dont cause problems for most people. These things are called allergens. If you have allergies, your body releases chemicals when you are exposed to an allergen. One such chemical is called histamine. Histamine is your bodys defense against the allergen. The release of histamine causes your symptoms.
Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen. Pollen comes from flowering trees, grass, and weeds. If you are allergic to pollen, you will notice your symptoms are worse on hot, dry days when wind carries the pollen. On rainy days, pollen often is washed to the ground, which means you are less likely to breathe it.
- Allergies that occur in the spring are often due to tree pollen.
- Allergies that occur in the summer are often due to grass and weed pollen.
- Allergies that occur in the fall are often due to ragweed.
Allergens that can cause perennial allergic rhinitis include:
Seasonal Allergies Skin Rash
Some people may also show allergy symptoms on their skin. This can happen in a few different ways. Often, allergens like pollen can come in contact with the skin and cause a rash. You might notice itchy red patches on the skin.Skin rash is a very under-publicised symptom of seasonal allergies. Although it does not affect all seasonal allergies sufferers, it can be extremely irritating for those who do experience it,Seasonal Allergies Skin Rash. Some people may also show allergy symptoms on their skin. This can happen in a few different ways. Often, allergens like pollen can come in contact with the skin and cause a rash. You might notice itchy red patches on the skin. Skin rash is a very under-publicised symptom of seasonal allergies.
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Swollen Lips And Injuries
Even minor trauma that doesn’t break the skin can cause the lips to swell, like sports injuries. It’s also easy to hurt your lips bumping into things or through other minor accidents. The swelling usually goes down without treatment, but sometimes swelling hides other injuries, like cuts and abrasions that can become infected or make chewing and speaking difficult.
Can Hayfever Cause Your Lips To Swell
If you suffer from hayfever, you may be anticipating symptoms like a runny nose or a dry, tickly cough – but what about swollen lips? This is a more unusual symptom and, because it is so unexpected, it can often be a cause for alarm. Here I explain why hayfever may cause the lips to swell and offer advice on dealing with the problem.
Louise Baillie
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Allergies That Cause Swelling Of The Lips:
- An allergic reaction by the immune system occurs when the body responds negatively to a particular substance.
- When a person has an allergic reaction, certain cells in the body produce and release a chemical known as histamine.
- People can be allergic to a lot of things, but some common allergies that can cause lip swelling include:
Environmental Allergies:
- To sneeze
- A stuffy nose
- Depending on the severity of the allergic reaction, an individual may often treat the allergy with an over-the-counter antihistamine. In more severe cases, a person may be given a series of allergy shots, also called immunotherapy, to help the body get used to the allergens.
Food Allergies:
- The ACAAI reports that between 4 and 6 percent of children and about 4 percent of adults have a food allergy.
- Allergies occur in families, but it is impossible to predict whether a parent will pass an allergy on to their child.
- About 90% of food allergies involve the following foods:
- Eggs
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- If a person experiences these symptoms after taking a medicine containing penicillin, they should immediately stop taking it and consult their doctor. Other drug options are often available.
- Other drugs that can cause an allergic reaction that may be like this include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, anticonvulsants, and drugs associated with chemotherapy.
Anaphylaxis
Swollen Lip Allergic Reaction
A swollen lip is a common symptom for a number of allergic reactions to various allergens that include certain foods, pet dander, pollen grains, some lip care products and other allergens.
When caused by an allergy, you are likely to have a sudden lip swelling that can be mild or severe after you come in contact with the allergen. Furthermore, some of the allergic reaction symptoms might affect other parts of your body especially the eyes, cheeks, mouth, tongue, face and nose areas. The common causes of allergy lip swelling include the following:
1. Food allergies
img source: getdoc.com
Some common foods that might cause allergic reactions that will culminate to a lip that is swollen among other symptoms include nuts, strawberries, mushrooms, egg whites, fish, sesame seeds, shellfish, and dairy products.
2. Latex
Direct latex contact can cause skin irritation and consequently an allergic reaction. Therefore, if your lips touch latex, it is common to expect swollen and itchy lips that can at times have rashes. Letting balloons, childrens toys, gloves and other products made from latex come in contact with your lips can is one way you can end up with swollen lip.
3. Penicillin allergy
This will cause a swollen lip that is accompanied by a rash, itching and hives. You will know it is the cause if you have had a penicillin injection or antibiotics.
4. Lip care products allergies
img source: theskincareedit.com
5. Watch for anaphylaxis allergy
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What Are Symptoms Of Difficulty Breathing
Signs of severe breathing difficulty include a rapid respiratory and heart rate, gasping, wheezing, rib retractions, nasal flaring, and cyanosis, where the hands and feet turn bluish because of lack of oxygen. A person with severe breathing difficulty uses their neck and chest muscles to breathe.
Diagnosis And Testing For Sinusitis
There are various tests that can and should be performed to confirm a diagnosis, determine the level of infection and check for other more serious issues.
A physical examination is completed, which includes a full head and neck examination so that more serious issues can be excluded. Swollen lymph nodes may occur in the neck if an infection is present, which is no different than the swelling of lymph nodes that accompanies an acute sore throat or ear infection .
Sinus palpation is used to determine the level of tenderness or swelling. When pain is experienced caused by the palpation, in the frontal or maxillary sinuses, it will be taken into consideration. A doctor may also use transillumination to look at the frontal and maxillary sinuses, though this is not always the most effective test.
The oral cavity and oropharynx is examined to evaluate the palate and condition of dentition, as well as looking for evidence of postnasal drip.
Anterior rhinoscopy, conducted with a nasal speculum, is used to examine the condition of the mucus membranes to look for evidence of purulent drainage or to look for signs of polyps or other masses. This examination is carried out with the use of a nasal decongestant, with treatments both before and after.
An ear examination may be carried out to inspect for possible middle ear fluid. This could be a sign of a mass or growth in the nasopharynx .
- Conjunctival congestion
- Proptosis and visual disturbances
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When To Seek Medical Advice
If you think you or your child may have a food allergy, it’s very important to ask for a professional diagnosis from your GP. They can then refer you to an allergy clinic if appropriate.
Many parents mistakenly assume their child has a food allergy when their symptoms are actually caused by a completely different condition.
Commercial allergy testing kits are available, but using them isn’t recommended. Many kits are based on unsound scientific principles. Even if they are reliable, you should have the results looked at by a health professional.
Read more about diagnosing food allergies.
Purpose Of Lymph Nodes
Helping your body battle infections and other diseases, lymph nodes are bean-shaped, small masses of tissue components of a large lymphatic system. When lymphatic fluid moves through your body, lymphocytes within the lymph glands trap viruses, bacteria and other possibly harmful substances and destroy them. This helps keep these pathogens from spreading any further.
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Is Itchy Skin Sign Of Seasonal Allergies
Skin rash is a very under-publicised symptom of seasonal allergies. Although it does not affect all seasonal allergies sufferers, it can be extremely irritating for those who do experience it. Common symptoms of seasonal allergies, such as congestion or itchy eyes, occur when pollen is inhaled, triggering a reaction in these tissues.
Lip Allergy Symptoms: Causes And Treatment For Allergy On Lips
There are a host of allergens that could trigger lip allergies, when they come in contact with the lip or the mouth. These allergens may be cosmetics , shaving creams, certain foods, latex, or stings and bites of insects. Chemicals, dust, pollen, antibiotics, etc. can also cause swelling of the lips if one is is allergic to them.
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What Are The Swollen Lip Causes Or Why Is My Lip Swollen
When you suddenly have a lip swelling, it is normal to wonder why your lip is swollen and what could have caused it? Well, there are much-swollen lip causes some of which area less serious and might disappear quickly while others might be an indication of a more serious underlying condition or disease that can be life-threatening. It is good to ensure you know the root cause and get proper treatment.
So, what are some of the common reasons for lip swelling or what could be behind that swollen lip you have?
Questions For Diagnosing The Cause Of Lip Swelling
To help diagnose the underlying cause of lip swelling, your licensed health care practitioner will ask you several questions related to your symptoms. Questions asked during your examination generally include:
- When did the lip swelling start?
- How long has the lip swelling lasted? Does it come and go?
- Did you eat any foods or have contact with any unusual substances before the swelling started ?
- Have you had any recent infections or injuries to the mouth or lips?
- Do you have any or other symptoms?
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Be Aware Of Common Symptoms
Oral symptoms, such as itching and tingling in the mouth and throat, and slight swelling in the lips, can occur within seconds or minutes of putting the food in the mouth. “It’s quite an immediate reaction,” Shreffler said. Some people may get so much swelling of the mouth, tongue and lips that swallowing might be uncomfortable, he said.
What Are The Causes Of An Allergic Reaction On The Lips
An allergic reaction on the lips may be caused by one of several things, including a food allergy, a pollen allergy, or an allergy or sensitivity to lip balms or cosmetics. Swollen, irritated, and itchy lips may indicate that something that a person is eating, drinking, or applying onto or around the mouth is triggering a reaction. Those who experience an allergic reaction of this kind should speak to their doctor so that appropriate testing can be done to determine the source of the problem. Although it may seem like an insignificant issue, if it is a symptom of a more serious allergy, it is important to determine its cause before the person suffering the symptoms has a stronger, possibly life-threatening reaction to an allergy trigger.
A very common cause of an allergic reaction on the lips is the use of some personal care products, such as lip balm, or cosmetics, such as lipstick or lip gloss, and the reaction is often made worse when the user applies more lip product in hopes of counteracting the irritation caused by the original reaction. These products frequently contain fragrances, dyes, and other ingredients that can trigger sensitivities and allergies.
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