It can sometimes be difficult to tell the difference betweenallergiesanda cold, or other illnesses that cause similar symptoms.
This is especially true if your allergy symptoms are mild.
In this article, we’ll discuss allergy symptoms and their diagnosis and treatment.
Verywell / Jiaqi Zhou
Verywell / Jiaqi Zhou
What Are Allergies?
Allergies are the ways your body responds to substances it sees as harmful.
However, these substances are often harmless.
For example, some people may sneeze and have watery eyes when they come in contact withpollen.
The pollen, which causes your body to react in that way, is an allergen.
These antibodies release chemicals like histamine, which causeallergic reactions.
Allergy symptoms can be mild to severe.Severe allergiescan trigger a dangerous reaction known asanaphylaxis.
Common symptoms of allergies include:
Types of Allergies
There are many types of allergies.
They can be brought on by different allergens and have different types of symptoms.
Some of the pollen ends up in your nose and throat.
Hay fever affects 40 million to 60 million Americans.
The American Academy of Dermatology estimates that one in 10 people have this condition.
Atopic dermatitis can be because of allergies.
In some children, food allergies and dust mite allergies play a role in the development of atopic dermatitis.
Common symptoms include:
Anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening reaction, can also occur.
Problem foods for children can include eggs,milk, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, and wheat.
Anaphylaxis is a swelling of the throat that can make breathing impossible.
It that is the case, it would be best to write down the symptoms you are experiencing.
If you have a fever, green mucus, andbody aches, then you most likely have a cold.
Testing can be helpful in determining whether you have allergies.
A cold generally lasts between five to seven days.
Rule Out Other Conditions
Some disorders are often misdiagnosed as food allergies.
Also, food intolerance is often confused with allergies.
Food intolerance is your body’s response to what you eat.
For example, people who are lactose-intolerant react to milk products.
As a result, they experience abdominal pain due to gas.
Although the symptoms may be similar to those of a food allergy, they should not be confused.
Skin tests are commonly used to identify the allergens that are causing your allergy symptoms.
Your allergist will prick your skin with the extract of an allergen and then check for a reaction.
A blood test can also be performed.
It checks the amount of antibodies your immune system produces.
A higher count shows that you may be allergic to the allergen.
There are a variety of reasons a blood test may be ordered instead of skin prick testing.
Some common treatment methods include the following:
Preventing allergic reactions is easier than treating them.
In severe cases, like anaphylaxis, seek emergency medical assistance.
You should still visit the emergency room after the injection.
If you have had an anaphylactic reaction before, schedule an appointment to visit your doctor.
Your body’s immune system reacts when triggers to the allergens invade your body.
Ways to manage allergies are by taking over-the-counter medications or prescription medications as recommended by your healthcare professional.
It is also important to avoid potential triggers that might cause reactions.
In serious cases, dial 911 or visit the nearest emergency ward to receive adequate medical attention.
Educating yourself and taking the right precautions can help you live through these episodes.
However, what they dont share is a fever.You will not get a feverif youre having an allergic reaction.
Also, you dont experience itchy ears with the common cold the way you would with allergies.
Note, too, that it is rare to experience muscle aches or sore throats when having allergies.
Both allergies and sinus infections come with a stuffy nose.
Nevertheless, they have their differences.
A sinus infection arises from an allergy.
With sinusitis, you may have thick mucus, postnasal drip, cough, sore throat, and fatigue.
Whereas with allergies, you mainly experience a runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, and wheezing.
You may continue to have an allergy for the rest of your life once you develop it.
However, some people find that over the years they no longer have symptoms when exposed to an allergen.
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National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.Causes and prevention of food allergy.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Types of allergies.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Atopic dermatitis overview.
American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Drug allergy.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.Characterizing food allergy & addressing related disorders.
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Allergy testing.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Rhinitis (nasal allergies).
Cleveland Clinic.Can you outgrow hay fever or other allergies?
American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Hay fever.
