Symptoms

Symptoms of allergies vary from person to person. They can be just an annoyance or life-threatening.

Allergic rhinitis, or hay fever

• Congestion
• Itching and dripping of the nose
• Itchy, watery eyes

Atopic dermatitis, or eczema

• Itching
• Reddening
• Flaking or peeling of the skin

Urticaria, or hives

• Itchy red bumps that can occur in clumps
• Bumps can be either large or small

Food allergy

• A skin reaction (rashes, hives or eczema)
• Gastrointestinal (cramping, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea)
• Respiratory (sneezing or runny nose, coughing, wheezing or shortness of breath)

Anaphylaxis

• A feeling of warmth, flushing, tingling in the mouth or a red, itchy rash.
• Light-headedness or dizziness (due to a drop in blood pressure).
• Shortness of breath.
• Severe sneezing.
• Anxiety.
• Stomach or uterine cramps.
• Vomiting and diarrhea.
• Mental confusion.
• Swelling, especially of the face, tongue and throat.

Without immediate treatment with an epinephrine (adrenalin) injection, anaphylaxis may lead to death. Go immediately to a hospital.

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