Allergies are when a foreign substance invades your body and your immune system responds. There are several causes of an allergy including food, animals, mold, pollen, drugs, and insect bites.

In rare cases severe reactions take place, but for most individuals, allergies are a common annoyance. In fact, 26% of adults, and 19% of children in the United States have been diagnosed with seasonal allergies.

With proper identification and treatment, most individuals are able to suppress the symptoms to help them live a “normal” life.

What does an Allergy Symptom look like?

Seasonal allergies (hay fever) often resemble a cold. Including a runny nose, congestion, sneezing, and red and swollen eyes.

Food allergies can often go undetected for long periods of time and can present moderate to severe symptoms when they finally appear. Common signs include nausea, fatigue, hives, and gastrointestinal problems.

What you need to know!

The best advice is to avoid the allergen that causes the symptoms whenever possible.  However, oftentimes that is not realistic or you may be unaware of the allergy until it is too late.

Many times over-the-counter medication is an effective way to resolve the symptoms.

It is common for family members to experience similar allergic reactions, so it is important to know a family history of allergies.

You should seek immediate attention if you experience any of the following;

• Severe hives or red bumps
• Difficulty or irregular breathing
• Coughing, wheezing, or itchy throat
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, or loss of consciousness
• Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea