Allergy Symptoms

Allergy Symptoms  are produced in response to an abnormal reaction by our immune system to normally harmless substances. These reactions take many forms and can be categorized from mild, through moderate, to severe.

Mild symptoms of these allergies can include red, itchy and watery eyes, clogged or runny nose and sneezing or congestion among others. These symptoms are usually easily identified and do not spread to other parts of the body. These symptoms are usually readily treatable using antihistamines or natural herbal remedies. Mild symptoms are produced by contact with allergens such as airborne dust and pollens, dust mites, molds, animal allergies and some food intolerances.

Moderate allergic reactions produce symptoms that need to be treated not only for the comfort of the sufferer but also for their wellbeing. This level of reaction can include symptoms that affect other parts of the body such as itchiness and irritations of the skin and eyes, dermatitis, eczema, conjunctivitis, hives, excessive sneezing and runny nose.

There may also be reactions to insect bites and stings that fall in to this category as well as the effects of food or drug intolerances. These can activate the same reactions as above but can also produce more severe symptoms of sickness such as diarrhoea, vomiting and sinus headaches.

Difficulties in breathing due to some of these reactions are also common symptoms and can be attributed to the narrowing of the airways and increased mucous production in the lungs causing shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing. If left unchecked this could lead to chronic bronchial problems or other serious conditions such as asthma.

While these particular Allergy Symptoms are usually not life threatening in themselves, they do require treatment from either an allergy specialist or naturopath to help in controlling their onset and future management. At this stage of development, allergy relief is beyond the capabilities of most pharmacists and self help organisations.

Severe Allergy Symptoms or anaphylaxis is a rare but life-threatening emergency when the body responds suddenly to an allergen. This response can affect the whole body with symptoms that may begin with sudden itching of the eyes or face and progress to more serious symptoms within minutes.

These symptoms may include:

•    varying degrees of swelling of the eyes, throat and skin

•    edema or angioedema
•    bronchoconstriction
•    difficulty breathing and swallowing 
•    cramps and abdominal pain
•    vomiting and diarrhoea
•    hypotension
•    dizziness or feeling light headed
•    disorientation or mental confusion
•    coma

These reactions are extremely serious and require immediate medical help as they can be fatal. Injections of epinephrine are the usual course of action taken by the medical team. Some people become so prone to these severe reactions they need to carry a Epi-Pen auto injector with them at all times. Such is the nature of anaphylaxis that a reaction can seem to be subsiding but may flare up again over a prolonged time period.

Such are the nature of allergies that almost every case is individual in cause, effect and severity. It is my belief that no matter how insignificant it may seem help should be sought as early as possible to obtain the best results in treatments of your Allergy Symptoms.