Welcome to Spring! A Guide to Allergy Symptoms

Dear Dr. Deena,

Thank you for all your help.

How do I know if I have allergies? 

Debra

This is a great question, Debra, especially because we are entering into Spring! Spring is the most common season to develop allergies due to increased pollens in the air, as our trees and grasses begin to blossom once again!

Allergies affect roughly 30-40% of the population, which is likely an underestimation since many people don't even realize they have allergies.

Allergies occur when your immune system mounts a response against a foreign substance, known as an "allergen." Common allergens include pollen, dust, molds, certain foods, and animal dander (material shed from the bodies of animals).
Every individual has different sensitivities to these foreign substances, which is why not everyone develops or has the same types of allergies. 

The area of the body that is exposed to the allergen, is the area where symptoms will most likely occur. For example - if you are allergic to pollen and you breathe it in -- your symptoms will mostly be isolated to the airways (nose, sinuses, mouth, throat, lung) causing runny nose, itchy nose/throat, increased post nasal drip, difficulty breathing, wheezing, sinus congestion, etc. 
If pollen comes in contact with your eyes -- your symptoms will be isolated to the eyes causing itchy, watery, and/or red eyes. 

Allergic reactions can range from minor to severe. Symptoms develop based on the type of allergen, the areas of the body which are exposed to the allergen, and our own immune systems.

Here is a list of different types of allergies, along with their symptoms:

Seasonal Allergies: are generally caused by small airborne particles of pollens from trees, grasses, and weeds, as well as spores from fungi and molds. 

Symptoms of seasonal allergies may include:

-Sinus congestion

-Itchy nose

-Runny nose

-Itchy eyes

-Watery eyes

-Itchy throat

-Sneezing

-Increased post nasal drip (increased mucous production at the back of the throat or nose)

-Itchy ears

"Atopic Dermatitis" aka "Eczema": a type of rash which is very common among infants and generally outgrown before adulthood (See image below)

Symptoms of eczema include: 

- A red, itchy rash, +/- peeling and flaking of the skin

-Most commonly affected areas include face, neck, elbows, wrist, knees, and/or ankles

(courtesy of uptodate.com)

Food allergies:  caused by certain food proteins. Symptoms related to food allergies are dose dependent (meaning the more food that you eat which you are allergic to, the more severe your symptoms will be). 

Symptoms of food allergies may include:

-Tingling sensation of the lips and/or inside the mouth after eating a certain food

-Swelling of the tongue, lips, face or throat after eating a certain food. Which may look like this:

(courtesy of dxline.com)

-Development of "hives" which are raised, flat, red skin rashes that are generally itchy and look like this:

Anaphylaxis: is the most severe form of an allergic reaction and is LIFE THREATENING! 
It happens within minutes of exposure to an allergen

Symptoms of anaphylaxis may include:

-Most commonly patients will develop hives (generally all over their body)

-Difficulty breathing

-Chest tightness

-Increased wheezing

-Loss of consciousness

-Low blood pressure

-Dizziness

-Fast heart rate

-Nausea

-Vomiting

-Diarrhea

**If you are concerned with anaphylaxis, call 911!**

If you develop any of the above symptoms (especially during the spring and summer months) OR if you notice certain environmental triggers (food, dust, pollens, animals, etc.) always produce symptoms -- you may want to visit an Allergy specialist for evaluation. Luckily there are treatment options out there for you!

Here's a question for all of you -- what's another name for "Seasonal Allergies"? Leave your answers below!

Hope this information was helpful! As always, leave comments below and email all questions to DoctorDeenaMD@gmail.com. Happy Spring and I hope it's allergy free for all of you!!

**PLEASE REMEMBER IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS ABOUT YOUR HEALTH AND/OR BEFORE STARTING OR STOPPING ANY TREATMENT OR ACTING UPON INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THE SITE, YOU SHOULD CONTACT YOUR OWN PHYSICIAN OR HEALTH-CARE PROVIDER**