Signs and Symptoms of Allergies

Some of the most common signs and symptoms of allergies are sneezing, coughing, and itchy eyes. Allergies are caused by the body's immune system mistaking a normally harmless substance as something dangerous, causing an unnecessary reaction.

The substance that causes the reaction is called an allergen. Common allergens include latex, pollen, pet dander, mold, dust mites, insect venom, and certain foods, plants, and medications. Here's what you need to know, including when it's best to see a healthcare provider.

Common Symptoms

Allergies can be difficult to identify because they can have various symptoms. Some symptoms are common across different allergens, including:

• Coughing
• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Sore throat

Allergies can cause hives, rashes, and trouble breathing in severe cases. Severe allergic reactions can lead to anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening condition, if not treated promptly.

Symptoms by Allergen Type

Some symptoms of allergies can be characteristic of the type of allergen that's triggering the reaction. The different allergens range from certain foods to medications.

Food Allergy

Food allergies are most common in children, but adults can also have them. It's important to know the signs of a food allergy so you can take steps to stay safe. 

Allergies to certain foods tend to run in families. Younger siblings are likely to be allergic to peanuts, for example, if the oldest child has a peanut allergy. You still cannot always predict if you or your child will have an allergy.

Any food can cause an allergy. Around 90% of all food allergies come from:

• Cow's milk and other dairy products
• Eggs
• Fish
• Peanuts
• Sesame
• Shellfish (most commonly, crustaceans like shrimp, lobster, and crab, and less commonly, mollusks like scallops, oysters, clams, and mussels)
• Soy
• Tree nuts (e.g., almonds, cashews, pecans, pistachios, walnuts, hazelnuts, and Brazil nuts)
• Wheat

Food allergy reactions can affect the gut, heart and blood vessels, lungs, or skin. Common symptoms include:

• A swollen tongue
• Frequent cough
• Hives (urticaria), or a rash characterized by itchy bumps called wheels
• Stomach cramps
• Vomiting
• Wheezing, or a whistling sound when breathing

These are not all the symptoms that can occur. Reactions can occur within several hours of ingestion, and many times, they occur within minutes. Everyone's reaction to a food allergy is different. It's important to see an allergist (who specializes in allergic conditions) for proper diagnosis and treatment if you think you or your child may have a food allergy. 

Environmental Allergy

Allergens that arise from your everyday surroundings can cause environmental allergies. These include:

• Animal dander: This is made up of dead skin cells found in fur or feathers. Household pets like cats or dogs can be a common source of dander. Washing your pet, reducing contact, and washing your hands after petting them can help reduce symptoms.
• Cockroaches: These insects thrive in damp, dark places with food waste. Cockroach feces is the main allergen that can lead to allergies. Keeping an indoor space free of excess moisture and uncovered food can reduce cockroach infestations, along with hiring an exterminator if needed.
• Dust mites: These are microscopic bugs that live in dust. The fecal matter of dust mites contains a type of digestive protein called peptidase 1, which is the main allergen. Dust mites can travel through indoor air and trigger an allergy.
• Mold: Not all types of mold can lead to allergy. Some people may be allergic to certain molds found in damp indoor places such as basements, bathrooms, and around windows. Common types of mold that could trigger an allergy include Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and Penicillium.
• Pollen: Grass, trees, and weeds produce pollen, which can circulate in the air at varying levels throughout the seasons.

You will likely have common allergy symptoms if you have an allergy to one of these. Some people may also have:

• Itchiness in the nose, mouth, or throat
• Mucus in the throat, particularly for mold allergies
• Nasal and sinus congestion
• Rash
• Watery or burning eyes
  

Latex Allergy

Latex, also called natural rubber latex, is a flexible material made from the sap of rubber trees known as Hevea brasiliensis. Some gloves, bandages, and other items may be made from latex. Certain proteins in natural rubber can trigger a latex allergy.

An allergic reaction can happen when latex makes direct contact with your skin, is inhaled from latex particles in the air, or comes into contact with mucus membranes, like your mouth or eyes. People with allergies to latex can either have an immediate reaction or a delayed skin reaction.

Common latex allergy symptoms usually include:

• Itching or swelling of your mouth or tongue after a dental exam involving latex gloves
• Itchy or swollen skin after contact with a latex bandage, gloves, condom, or vaginal diaphragm 
• Red, swollen lips after blowing up a balloon

Severe allergic reactions to latex can cause additional symptoms, such as:

• Hives
• Red, swollen, pain, or blurry vision in the eyes (eye inflammation)
• Runny nose and sneezing
• Trouble breathing

Using certain products can help reduce the likelihood of latex allergies. Look for ones labeled "not made with natural rubber latex."

Insect Allergy

Insect allergies can cause a range of symptoms, depending on the severity of the allergic reaction and the type of insect. Insect stings contain venom, for example, which can trigger an allergy in some people.

Common culprits of insect sting allergies are bees, wasps, hornets, and fire ants. Bites, such as those from mosquitoes, bed bugs, and fleas, can trigger other allergies. Insect bites or stings can cause common symptoms like pain, stinging, redness, and mild swelling around the affected area. 

You might have more severe symptoms like difficulty breathing, swelling, and nausea if you're seriously allergic to insect stings or bites. Severe symptoms are typically more common after insect stings and are considered rare for insect bites.

Medication Allergy

Antibiotics, or drugs used to treat bacterial and some fungal infections, are commonly reported with drug allergies. Only about 2% of reported drug allergies at hospitals tend to be allergic reactions. Some people might develop side effects from a drug or complications from a current infection.

Penicillin, a type of antibiotic, is one of the most widely reported drug allergies, with up to 10% of people claiming they're allergic. Less than 1% of the general population actually turns out to be allergic when tested.

Medication allergies can range from mild to severe and life-threatening. Some symptoms may include:

• Abdominal pain
• Coughing
• Diarrhea
• Hives
• Itching
• Swollen eyes or lips
• Trouble breathing
• Vomiting

Serious and Life-Threatening Symptoms

Allergies can be very serious and even life-threatening in some cases. Anaphylaxis is a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that can affect several organs in your body.

Symptoms can develop quickly and may include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Dizziness
• Faintness
• Hives
• Nausea
• Swelling of the face, tongue, and throat
• Wheezing

Get help right away and call 911 for anaphylaxis, even if you use epinephrine. Anaphylaxis needs to be treated promptly with a shot of epinephrine, or a hormone that's also called adrenaline. This treatment is highly effective at slowing or stopping an allergic reaction and can be life-saving.

When To Contact a Healthcare Provider

You might be tempted to self-diagnose your allergy symptoms, but it's important that you see an allergist if you have any concerns. Allergists know how to best diagnose and treat allergies and can provide you with better insight into the root cause of your symptoms.

Ask a healthcare provider for help if your allergies are not getting better or are worsening. reach out to an allergist if you have sudden symptoms you can't explain or if your symptoms last more than a week for a diagnosis and treatment plan.

Talk to a healthcare provider about getting epinephrine auto-injectors for a history of allergies. Allergens that more commonly lead to anaphylaxis include peanuts, tree nuts, fish, crustacean shellfish (e.g., shrimp, lobster, or crab), fish, insect stings, and latex.

You can still be at risk of anaphylaxis even if you have a history of mild allergic reactions. You are at high risk of anaphylaxis if you have a history of severe allergic reactions to a known allergen. An allergist can show you how to administer an epinephrine auto-injector in case of an emergency.

A Quick Review

Common allergy signs and symptoms may include red and itchy eyes, sneezing, coughing, runny nose, and skin rashes. More severe reactions, such as difficulty breathing, tightness in the throat or chest, and fainting, require immediate care.

See a healthcare provider right away for a proper diagnosis if you experience any of these signs or symptoms after contact with a certain food, substance, or other allergen. They can also assist you with the right treatment plan.