Understanding Allergies: Symptoms, Treatment, and Management

Allergies occur when your immune system overreacts to certain substances, leading to various symptoms 7. These symptoms can range from mild to severe and differ for each person and allergy type 3 5. Recognizing these symptoms and understanding available treatments can significantly improve your quality of life 5.

Common Allergy Symptoms

• Skin Allergies: Rashes, itching, redness, swelling, bumps, flaky skin, and cracked skin 1.
• Animal Allergies: Runny or stuffy nose, face pain due to stuffy nose, sneezing, watery/red/itchy eyes, cough, chest tightness, shortness of breath, skin rash, or hives 1.
• Bug Allergies: Cockroach allergy symptoms include coughing/wheezing, stuffy nose, sinus or ear infection, and skin rash. Bug sting allergy symptoms include hives, itching, swelling (other than the sting site), stomach cramps, vomiting, nausea, chest tightness, trouble breathing, hoarse voice, and difficulty swallowing 1
• Dust Allergies: Sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, red/itchy/watery eyes, itchy skin, wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath 1.
• Food Allergies: Symptoms can affect any part of the body, including the skin, digestive system, heart, blood vessels, or lungs 1.
• Seasonal or Environmental Allergies: Runny nose (usually with clear or pale-colored mucus), sneezing, coughing, red/watery eyes, and itching around the nose, mouth, or eyes 5.

Untreated allergy symptoms can lead to nasal congestion, headaches, and sore throats 5. In severe cases, allergies can cause anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction 5.

Symptoms of a Severe Allergic Reaction (Anaphylaxis)

• Itchy skin, redness, swelling, and hives 3 5
• Itchy mouth, swelling of lips and tongue 3
• Vomiting, diarrhea, cramps 3
• Shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, chest tightness or pain 3
• Weak pulse, dizziness, faintness, low blood pressure 3
• Headache, nasal congestion, watery eyes, sweating 3
• Confusion, feeling of impending doom 3
• Loss of consciousness 3

Allergy Treatments

Various treatment options are available to manage allergy symptoms, including medications, immunotherapy, and lifestyle adjustments 2 4.

• Antihistamines: These block histamine, a chemical released during an allergic reaction that causes symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, hives, and itchy eyes 6 8. They are available over-the-counter and by prescription in pills, liquids, nasal sprays, or eye drops 6.

• Decongestants: Help relieve congestion in your chest 4.

• Nasal Corticosteroids: Reduce swelling in the nose to relieve a stuffy, runny, and itchy nose 8.

• Mast Cell Stabilizers: Prevent the release of histamine, helping with symptoms like runny nose, stuffy nose, sneezing, postnasal drip, and itchy eyes 6 8.

• Immunotherapy: This treatment prevents allergic reactions by gradually increasing your exposure to the allergen, reducing your sensitivity over time. Common forms include allergy shots (subcutaneous immunotherapy or SCIT) and sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), where medicine is placed under the tongue 1 2.

• Epinephrine Shots: An epinephrine shot (Auvi-Q, EpiPen, others) can ease symptoms of a severe allergic reaction until you get emergency treatment 2.

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

Certain lifestyle adjustments and home remedies can help alleviate allergy symptoms 2.

• Saline Nasal Sprays: Rinse out sinuses with a salt and water solution to relieve sinus congestion and hay fever symptoms 2 6.

• Reducing Exposure to Allergens: Wash bedding and stuffed toys in hot water, keep indoor humidity low, and use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to lessen exposure to dust mites or pet dander 2.

• Managing Mold: Reduce moisture in damp areas using ventilation fans and dehumidifiers, fix leaks, and improve airflow 2.

Alternative Medicine

Acupuncture may help ease some hay fever symptoms 2.By understanding the symptoms, treatments, and management strategies for allergies, individuals can take proactive steps to minimize their impact and improve their overall well-being 5. Consulting with a healthcare professional or allergist is crucial for personalized advice and treatment plans 2.