Monday, March 25, 2024
HomeCauseWhat Symptoms Can Allergies Cause

What Symptoms Can Allergies Cause

How Are Seasonal Allergies Diagnosed

What is Allergy? Causes, Signs and Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment.

Talk with your doctor if you think your child might have seasonal allergies. The doctor will ask if the same symptoms happen at the same time each year after your child is around an allergen, and do an exam. The doctor may be able to make a diagnosis, or might refer you to an allergy doctor for allergy skin testing or a blood test.

To find which allergens cause a person’s symptoms, allergists usually do skin testing. During skin prick testing, an allergist or nurse puts a tiny bit of a liquid containing an allergen into the skin by making a small scratch or prick on the skin. They usually do skin testing on a person’s forearm or back. The allergist then waits 15 minutes or so to see if a red, raised bump, called a wheal, forms. If it does, there might be an allergy. The allergist uses a ruler to measure the wheal and the redness around it.

Even if a skin test or a blood test shows an allergy, a child must also have symptoms to be diagnosed with an allergy for sure. For example, a child who has a positive test for grass pollen and sneezes a lot while playing in the grass would be considered allergic to grass pollen.

Are There Ways To Reduce Your Allergy Exposure

Here are several ways to minimize your exposure to seasonal allergies:

  • Pay attention to daily pollen and mold spore levels, so you can avoid outdoor activities as much as possible when counts are high. To check out the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunologys allergen tracker, .
  • Begin taking medications before the start of the allergy seasonwhen pollen, grass, ragweed, or mold counts soar.
  • Shut the windows and doors in your home, office, and car to seal out pollen.
  • Wear a hat when outdoors or wash your hair before bed to keep pollen off your pillow and away from your face.
  • Change your clothes after spending time outdoors to minimize your exposure to pollen. Studies show that half of the pollen that accumulates on clothing remains even if you try to shake or brush it off before you go indoors.
  • Avoid mowing the grass or raking moldy leaves if those are your triggers, or wear a mask when doing so.

How Can You Tell That You Have An Allergy Cough

In order to tell whether you have an allergy cough, its important to check what type is it. Allergies trigger a dry or wet cough even though after nasal dripping, theres usually a dry cough. There is also a third kind of cough which is the chronic cough that lasts at least 3 weeks. This is a major sign of an allergy. A cold cough never lasts more than 14 days so if your coughing exceeds this number, you definitely have an allergy cough. Another thing that sets it apart from a cold is the fever. If you have no fever then you definitely have been exposed to an allergen thats caused this coughing symptom.

If youre still confused about it then you should ask yourself questions like when did you start coughing? Do you feel any fever or aches in your body? How long have you been coughing? All of these will bring everything into perspective for you.

Also Check: Can You Drink After Taking Allergy Medicine

What Are The Symptoms Of A Severe Allergic Reaction

Symptoms of severe allergies are serious, even life-threatening. These symptoms can involve various organ systems skin, mouth, stomach, respiratory, heart. A severe allergic reaction involving two or more organ systems is called anaphylactic shock or anaphylaxis.

The following signs of a severe allergic reaction and may progress quickly:

  • Skin: itchy skin, redness, swelling and hives

  • Mouth: itchy mouth, swelling of lips and tongue

  • Stomach: vomiting, diarrhea, cramps

  • Respiratory: shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, chest tightness or pain

  • Heart: weak pulse, dizziness, faintness, low blood pressure

  • Headache, nasal congestion, watery eyes, sweating

  • Confusion, feeling of impending doom

  • Loss of consciousness

See More Information on Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency. It is a life-threatening reaction. Anaphylaxis must be treated with an epinephrine injection, followed by emergency care.

People with a history of anaphylaxis should always carry two epinephrine auto-injectors with them wherever they go. They should also wear a medical alert bracelet.

Talk With Your Veterinarian

Food Allergy in Babies: Symptoms, precautions, and cure

As always, talk to your veterinarian if you suspect that your dog may have allergies. They may perform tests to rule out more common or more serious diseases that can cause similar symptoms.

To decide whether allergies are likely the culprit, your veterinarian will also take into account:

  • The age of onset

  • Your dogs breed

Also Check: What To Do For Pollen Allergies

What Medications Can Cause An Allergy Cough

Ironically, some medications used to treat allergies can also cause cough.

Antihistamines are a class of drugs commonly prescribed to treat allergy symptoms. They work by preventing histamine from attaching to cells and triggering inflammation.

Second-generation antihistamines like Claritin and Zyrtec are able to do this without the drowsiness associated with earlier-generation drugs. However, one of the common side effects of these popular over-the-counter drugs is a cough.

This is because antihistamines have a drying effect that can leave the throat feeling scratchy. Even so, the cough is generally mild and will clear once you stop treatment.

Your Dog Has Chronic Ear Infections

Relatedly, many dogs with allergies will experience ear infections that recur frequently or never seem to fully go away. As with the feet, this problem is often caused first by the allergies.

The allergies break down the healthy skin barrier, then opportunistic bacteria or yeast create an infection, which all further contributes to the itch .

Dogs that have gone years with allergies that are either undiagnosed or undertreated will often have ears that are raw, smelly and thickened.

In severe cases, ear infections may become so resistant to treatment that surgery to remove the ear canal may be required. To avoid this situation, it is important to have your dog examined by your veterinarian as soon as you suspect that your dog may have allergies or ear infections.

Recommended Reading: How Does An Allergist Test For Food Allergies

Get The Care You Need To Keep Seasonal Allergies Under Control

Over-the-counter allergy medications work reasonably well, especially for itching and sneezing. If you have those symptoms, start with an oral antihistamine tablet for allergy relief. The nice thing about an antihistamine tablet is it works fairly quickly within an hour or so. But make sure you continue to take the medication consistently and as directed to help maintain that relief throughout the allergy season.

You Notice Recurring Hot Spots

Seasonal Allergies: Fact or Fiction with Dr. Jeff Millstein

Formally known as pyotraumatic dermatitis, hot spots are common in dogs, especially in breeds like Goldens, Labs, and Saint Bernards.

Like ear infections, hot spots can arise on their own, or they can be secondary to underlying allergies. If you feel like youre always treating a new hot spot on your dog, talk to your veterinarian about allergies.

Also Check: What Is A Sugar Allergy

When To See A Healthcare Provider

An allergy cough may be aggravating but is rarely severe. However, there are situations in which coughing and other breathing problems are a sign of potentially life-threatening, whole-body allergy known as anaphylaxis.

Symptoms of anaphylaxis tend to develop suddenly and severely. If left untreated, anaphylaxis can lead to shock, coma, heart or respiratory failure, and death.

  • Shortness of breath
  • A sudden outbreak of hives or rash
  • Feeling fainting or lightheaded
  • Swelling of the face, neck, or throat
  • A feeling of impending doom

What Are Skin Allergies

Skin allergies occur when your skin comes in contact with an allergen that your skin is sensitive or allergic to. Also, allergies to other things, like food you eat or proteins you inhale or touch, may cause symptoms to appear on your skin. The allergic reaction usually appears within 48 hours after the initial exposure to the allergen. Symptoms often include the following: redness, swelling, blistering, itching, hives and rashes. The allergen doesnt have to be new to you. It can be something youve been using or eating for many years. Common skin allergies include allergic contact dermatitis, eczema, chronic urticaria and angioedema.

Don’t Miss: How To Get Rid Of Seasonal Allergies Naturally

Symptoms Of Allergic Rhinitis

Your symptoms can vary, depending on the severity of your allergies. Symptoms can include:

  • Pressure in the nose and cheeks
  • Ear fullness and popping
  • Watery, red, or swollen eyes
  • Dark circles under your eyes
  • Trouble smelling

Allergic rhinitis can last several weeks, longer than a cold or the flu. It does not cause fever. The nasal discharge is thin, watery, and clear. Nasal discharge from a cold or the flu tends to be thicker. Itching is common with hay fever but not with a cold or the flu. Sneezing occurs more with hay fever. You may even have severe sneeze attacks.

Complications Of Allergic Rhinitis

Allergies and Anaphylaxis

If you have allergic rhinitis, there’s a risk you could develop further problems.

A blocked or runny nose can result in difficulty sleeping, drowsiness during the daytime, irritability and problems concentrating. Allergic rhinitis can also make symptoms of asthma worse.

The inflammation associated with allergic rhinitis can also sometimes lead to other conditions, such as nasal polyps, sinusitis and middle ear infections. These are described below.

Read Also: Do Air Purifiers Help With Dust Mite Allergy

How Does A Person Become Allergic

Allergens can be inhaled, ingested, or enter through the skin. Common allergic reactions, such as hay fever, certain types of asthma, and hives are linked to an antibody produced by the body called immunoglobulin E . Each IgE antibody can be very specific, reacting against certain pollens and other allergens. In other words, a person can be allergic to one type of pollen, but not another. When a susceptible person is exposed to an allergen, the body starts producing a large quantity of similar IgE antibodies. The next exposure to the same allergen may result in an allergic reaction. Symptoms of an allergic reaction will vary depending on the type and amount of allergen encountered and the manner in which the body’s immune system reacts to that allergen.

Allergies can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, race, or socioeconomic status. Generally, allergies are more common in children. However, a first-time occurrence can happen at any age, or recur after many years of remission. Hormones, stress, smoke, perfume, or environmental irritants may also play a role in the development or severity of allergies.

How Are Allergies Treated

Although avoiding the allergen is an important treatment approach, it usually doesnt completely end the allergic reaction.

Medications such as antihistamines , decongestants , or a combination of over-the-counter and prescription medications, are used to treat your allergy symptoms. Nasal sprays such as topical nasal steroids , cromolyn sodium, and topical nasal antihistamines also can be used to treat allergy symptoms.

Asthma medications, which reduce allergy symptoms, include:

  • Inhaled bronchodilators.
  • Oral anti-leukotrienes .
  • Injected medications, such as omalizumab , dupilumab , reslizumab , benralizumab , or Mepolizumab .

Immunotherapy or allergy oral immunotherapy is recommended if your symptoms arent adequately controlled with a combination of avoidance measures and regular medication use. This shot has been shown to be effective in properly selected patients with allergic rhinitis and/or allergic asthma.

Another treatment option is saline irrigation using a sinus rinse kit. These rinse kits are sold over-the-counter or can be made at home. To make your own rinse, combine one-half teaspoon non-iodinated salt with one-half teaspoon baking soda in eight ounces of distilled or boiled water. This mixture rinses out allergens and decreases the amount of inflammation they cause.

Don’t Miss: Is Elderberry Good For Allergies

What Is Anaphylactic Shock

Anaphylactic shock, also called anaphylaxis, is a severe, life-threatening reaction to certain allergens. Body tissues may swell, including tissues in the throat. Anaphylactic shock is also characterized by a sudden drop in blood pressure. The following are the most common symptoms of anaphylactic shock. However, each person may experience symptoms differently. Other symptoms may include:

  • Itching and hives over most of the body

  • Swelling of the throat and tongue or tightness in throat

  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

Is It Coronavirus Or Allergies

Food Allergy, Causes, Signs and Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment.

One of the activities many of us can participate in while social distancing is going outside and enjoying the weather.

After all, from what we know about how the coronavirus spreads, it’s clear that outside is better than inside. However, for many, being outside also bring on the sniffles and sneezes of hay fever.

Unfortunately, novel coronavirus symptoms can look similar to many other conditions, including seasonal allergies.

Seasonal allergies are caused by pollen being released into the air, causing some to have an allergic reaction. For anyone with hay fever, step outside, and you might sneeze or end up with itchy eyes.

This year, many people who are allergic to trees and grasses are worried that they could have the coronavirus.

Learn more: If you care concerned you might get COVID, the best thing to do is to get the vaccine. If you’re not yet sure about the vaccine, see these 7 reasons to get vaccinated.

Don’t Miss: How To Tell If Child Has Allergies Or Cold

What Is Flea Or Insect Bite Allergy And How Is It Treated

Insect bite allergy is the exaggerated inflammatory response to the bite or sting of an insect. Arachnids such as spiders and ticks, and insects including fleas, blackflies, deerflies, horseflies, mosquitoes, ants, bees, hornets and wasps, can cause an allergic reaction in sensitive dogs.

Flea saliva is by far the most common insect allergen in dogs, causing flea allergy dermatitis . Most dogs experience minor local irritation from flea bites. The FAD dog will react to a single bite with severe local itching. A dog with FAD will bite and scratch itself and may remove large amounts of hair, especially in the tail-base region. A secondary bacterial infection may develop in the areas of broken skin.

“Because one flea can be a problem for a dog with FAD, strict flea control is essential.”

Can Allergies Cause A Cough Cold And Allergies

Since cold and allergies have been mistaken for each other every time someone starts coughing, then we certainly need to clear up what exactly cold and allergies are. The first thing we need to focus on is their causes. Both have different causes, you can only get a cold when a living organism such as a virus gets into your body. This way your body activates its immune system to counterattack which leads to you having cold-like symptoms such as a fever or stuffed up nose. Viruses that have the ability to give you a cold is contagious so you can get them from people who are infected through a cough or sneeze etc.

Allergies are a little different. People who are allergic to things have an overactive immune system. Your body keeps on mistaking things like dust or pollen as a virus. Due to this, they release a chemical called histamine that swells up your noses passageway resulting in you getting symptoms like sneezing or coughing.

Don’t Miss: Does Sweet Almond Oil Affect Nut Allergies

Can A Cold Or Flu Cause Allergies

An allergy is an inflammatory immune response to specific foods or something in the environment, known as an allergen. Colds and flu are caused by viruses or bacteria. Therefore, a cold or flu cannot cause an allergy.

Sometimes, allergies can lead to a sinus infection, which may develop into a fever. Sinus infections are the result of excess mucus and debris getting trapped in the air-filled sinus passages. However, the infection develops due to the bacteria or viruses present rather than the allergens.

Knowing what a person is allergic to can help in treating the allergies. A person can be allergic to several allergens at once. Some of the key steps to reducing allergy symptoms include:

A person with severe allergies may benefit from immunotherapy. This approach involves injecting increasing amounts of allergens in the body to de-sensitize the bodys immune response. A doctor must prescribe these injections.

Anaphylaxis: What Is It And How To Get Help

Allergic Rhinitis: Causes and Treatment

Most people with allergies get only mild to moderate symptoms, but bad cases can lead to anaphylaxis.

Itâs a serious situation and can put your body into shock. Food, medications, insect bites, or latex are the most likely causes.

A second anaphylactic episode can happen up to 12 hours after the first one.

The symptoms of anaphylaxis can come on suddenly.

They can quickly go from a mild rash or runny nose to serious problems such as a hard time breathing, tightness in the throat, hives or swelling, nausea or vomiting, and fainting or dizziness. Some people can get a rapid pulse or their heart will stop beating.

If youâve had previous attacks or know you are at risk for anaphylaxis, your doctor might prescribe medicine that you can give yourself, or that someone else can give you. Adrenaclick,Auvi-Q, EpiPen, Symjepi or a generic version of an epinephrine auto-injectorâââââââ are devices loaded with this medicine.

Carry this with you always and be aware of your allergy triggers.

Also Check: Can You Grow Into Allergies

Can Allergies Cause A Cough 2022 Symptoms And Treatments

Coughing is one of the most common symptoms of changing weather. When the trees start budding or the leaves start falling in preparation for autumn, you usually start getting all flu-like symptoms that force you to address the question of whether its happening because of a cold or an allergy. With the pandemic hitting us out of nowhere, anything like this becomes the center of major concern. As covid-19 does have symptoms like dry coughing. It forces us to investigate the true cause of our coughing.

Allergies are basically being in the presence of stimuli that tends to trigger an irritating response in your throat or nose, which leads to the secretion of a certain chemical. This chemical then forces your body to develop symptoms like coughing or sneezing. You can be allergic to many different things and can go on living your life without knowing about it. If that is the case here and youre confused whether you actually have a cold or are just allergic, you definitely need to read our article and enlighten yourself on such an issue.

RELATED ARTICLES

Most Popular