Allergy Signs and Symptoms

Looking For The Source of Sneezing:

If you are suffering from what may seem to be like a cold, but it isn't the right time of year, you can also look into the possibility that you are suffering from allergies.  Allergies are a combination of reactions that occur from the immune system having a certain level of sensitivity to the environment that you are taking in.  Knowing exactly what to look for with allergies and how they can affect you during different seasons will allow you to conquer the reactions you have. 

Looking At Your Environment

For most, allergies occur as a result from the environment that you are surrounded by.  Some of this will be reactions to the season or reactions to specific substances that are in the air.  This will be dependent on how your immune system reacts and what it reacts to.    The first sign that you should always look for is if you have a physical reaction when you are in a certain environment or are around specific things. 

For instance, if you are around cats and start sneezing, you can consider this a sign that you are probably allergic to cats.  You will want to look for signs that are in the environment on various levels.  Typically, you can assume that encounters with things such as animals, plants, foods, outdoor substances or even dust can be attributed to allergies that may occur. 

Looking At Your Reactions

Once you are familiar with the environment that is around you and the signs that they have, you can begin looking into the bodily reactions that may respond to the environment that is around you.  This includes specific target areas that will occur when you are in contact with the environment.  Most of these will be specific to the type of allergen that is occurring and how your immune system is trying to protect the sensitivity to the object that seems to be attacking the immune system. 

Most basic allergens that are instant reactions will occur in the sinus area.  At times, you may feel as though there are sinus pressures that are moving into the eyes and nose area.  This may be combined with a runny nose or sneezing, as well as runny or itchy eyes.  These are two of the most common reactions to allergies and the environment among those who are fighting off a specific reaction to the area. 

It is also common for allergies to affect other parts of the body.  Having a scratchy or swollen throat is a common sign.  Allergies can also affect the skin through things such as rashes, eczema, hives and other skin irritations.  This will still be at a smaller sensitivity reaction that may occur with the allergies but still communicate with the body towards the sensitivity of the environment. 

If the responses from the immune system seem stronger, they will also move into other areas of the body in order to get the body to move away from the environment.  For example, a higher sensitivity rate can cause gastrointestinal reactions to occur.  The more severe reactions can move into affecting the digestive system and the respiratory tract causing things such as asthma, difficulty breathing and other internal reactions. 

At another level, allergies can cause complete attacks that try to stop the environmental sensitivity that is occurring.  This is known as anaphylaxis.  While this will still occur in the upper areas, it will combine swelling, difficulty breathing, dizziness, difficulty swallowing and can even move into a loss of consciousness.  Some of these can last for up to four hours and can cause your body to not be able to function at a normal level. 

Once you understand the signs and symptoms for allergies, you can begin to move into an environment that will not cause the reaction of the immune system and the problems that may arise from it.  The specific signs to look for in both the environment and in your body will allow you to find ways to avoid specific substances or to combat your body in order to protect yourself form the reactions that could occur.