Stop for a second to take a look around. No matter where you are right now, chances are that at least one person close to you has some type of allergy. According to him American College of Allergy, Asthma and ImmunologyAllergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic disease in the United States alone, and more than 50 million Americans suffer from allergies each year. these are 17 allergy symptoms disguised that you should not overlook.
17 allergy symptoms you didn’t know about and shouldn’t ignore
But just like any other health condition, it’s not always easy to spot when an allergy attack occurs. Typical allergy symptoms, such as a runny nose and watery eyes, are often mistaken for a cold or flu, and people don’t always know how to spot less common and more serious symptoms, such as headaches, swollen tongue and hearing loss. In this article, we will summarize some of the most commonly ignored allergy symptoms that people should pay attention to.
1. Headache
If you find yourself suffering from headaches on a weekly or even daily basis and can’t figure out why, you may have your allergies to blame. Allergies that start in the nose often end up affecting the head as well.
Allergies cause inflammation and swelling of the sinuses and nasal passages. When this happens, there is an increased production of mucus, which then fills the sinuses. This fluid buildup leads to headaches.
2. Constipation
In patients with severe food allergies, constipation is one of the most common symptoms. This is especially the case with young children. According to a study published in the journal Developmental Period Medicine, approximately 73 percent of children under the age of three who visited a Polish hospital for constipation from 1998 to 2008 were later diagnosed with an allergy to proteins in cow’s milk.
3. Fatigue
Because allergies cause the nasal passages to swell, people with allergies often breathe through their mouths while sleeping and, as a result, experience a loss of quality oxygen intake throughout the night.
People with allergies wake up often, whether they realize it or not, and wake up in the morning feeling unrested. The sleep disruptions associated with allergies are so severe, in fact, that some people who leave the condition untreated end up developing sleep apnea.
4. Memory impairment
Because the immune system is in overdrive and sleep deprivation prevents the body from getting the rest it needs, it’s hardly surprising that people with allergies are often faced with bouts of forgetfulness and memory problems. Constant headaches and poor sleep add up over time and leave you feeling like you’re not your best self. Your memory is something you rely on at work, at home, and in everyday life, so don’t hesitate to see a doctor if your mind begins to cloud over.
5. Abdominal pain
Cramps and stomach pain are relatively common symptoms, and yet all too often overlooked for food allergies. Depending on the severity of the allergy, most doctors recommend that people with food allergies limit their intake of such foods or avoid them altogether, and if they don’t adhere to these recommendations, they are at risk of anaphylactic shock . which can be fatal.
6. Rashes
Rashes like eczema can often be triggered by allergies. Allergens like pet dander and dust mites are especially triggers for people with eczema, and as the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and ImmunologyAbout half of all eczema patients also have hay fever and food allergies. If left untreated, eczema can become more severe.
7. Tired
Do you bring sleepiness under your eyes that won’t go away no matter how long you sleep? Nasal allergies can promote swelling of the adenoids (lymphatic tissue that lines the back of the throat and extends behind the nose), resulting in a tired, clammy appearance.
8. Odor loss
When allergy-related nasal congestion is not treated, it can sometimes lead to anosmia or a decreased sense of smell. This deterioration is caused by chronic inflammation of the tissues and turbinates, dilation of the blood vessels, and nasal congestion.
9. Dark Circles
Allergies lead to dilation of blood vessels, which become visible under the eyes where the skin is very thin. We refer to this as allergic dark circles. You can also get a characteristic wrinkle on your nose from frequent rubbing. If you see a horizontal line just above your nostrils, you probably have allergies. While these allergic dark circles are by no means fatal, they do make patients feel less confident in their appearance. With treatment, there is no reason why you should suffer.
10. Altered sense of taste
The sense of smell and taste tend to go hand in hand, and when you can’t smell, it can affect or alter your sense of taste. Allergy sufferers may think that food has no taste or needs salt, heat or spices. Not only is it frustrating, but all that excess sodium and spices can lead to unintentional overeating and serious weight gain.
11. Chest pain
You sit down for a nice lobster dinner, and as soon as you take your first bite, you suddenly start to feel like you’re having a heart attack. The good news? Your heart is probably fine. The bad news? You likely have a severe allergic reaction to your food, one that requires immediate treatment. According to Food Allergy Research & EducationOther symptoms that accompany a severe allergic reaction to food include shortness of breath, loss of consciousness, a weak pulse, and a feeling of “imminent death.”
12. Anxiety
If you have never experienced anaphylactic shock, then you may be surprised to learn that it is no different than having a panic attack. If you often experience what you think are panic attacks and don’t know what exactly is causing them, pay attention to what you’re changing in your environment. What you think are panic attacks could actually be an allergy symptom in disguisea symptom that, if left untreated, could be fatal.
13. Hearing Impaired
Fluid buildup from the nose and sinuses into the Eustachian tubes in the ears can reduce sound wave propagation and hearing. With treatment, your hearing will return without problems, but if you stop seeing your doctor, your ears may remain clogged for quite some time.
4. Swollen tongue
Although rare, it is possible for things like food allergies and bee stings to cause tongue swelling, or angioedema. Since a swollen tongue can make it difficult to breathe, this symptom, regardless of whether it is the result of an allergy, should always be considered an emergency that requires immediate medical attention.
15. Chapped lips
Clogged nasal passages turn allergy sufferers into mouth breathers. This, in turn, dehydrates the lips, leaving them chapped, dry, and chapped. Often it is one of the main allergy symptoms that doctors will see in patients who have gone a long time undiagnosed.
16. Sore throat
One of the most deceptive allergy symptoms is an itchy, swollen throat. Why? Well, while most allergies are pretty straightforward, a sore, swollen throat could be a sign of a slightly more complicated condition. For some people who are allergic to ragweed, if they eat a banana, their mouth starts to itch or their throat may feel swollen.
This phenomenon is called pollen or food allergy syndrome, or oral allergy syndrome, and causes people with allergies to certain plant proteins to also experience allergies to certain fruits and vegetables. About 50 percent of adults with seasonal allergies have oral allergy syndrome, and the condition accounts for nearly 60 percent of food-related allergic reactions in adulthood.
17. One of the symptoms of allergies is a hoarse voice
If your allergy is severe enough, it can cause a constriction of the respiratory tract, which in turn causes hoarseness in your voice. The air struggles to get out of the body and causes low modulations of the ligaments, and in this case, antihistamines will help eliminate the problem. Since a hoarse voice = restricted breathing, it is important that anyone experiencing hoarseness have their vocal cords checked by a doctor as soon as they can.