Allergy Symptoms
Patients come to us when their allergy symptoms interfere with their daily life. Allergy symptoms can cause you to miss work, or make your child miss school. Our allergists and asthma doctors are here to help you or your family member have a happier, healthier life.
Dr. Jeff Leipzig, a board-certified allergist in the Cincinnati Metro area, talks about allergy symptoms and the importance of identifying and treating allergies. Dr. Leipzig sees patients everyday who tried using over-the-counter medications to find relief, yet have failed to get their allergy symptoms under control. He works to help them find more personalized, and effective, solutions.
Common Allergy Symptoms:
The most common allergic symptoms are nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, itchy and watery red eyes, ear congestion, a cough, wheezing, chest tightness, and eczema.
Sinus Congestion
Runny, Stuffy, and/or Itchy Nose
Watery, Itchy Eyes
Cough or Sneezing
Wheezing, Shortness of Breath
Other Allergy Symptoms:
Symptoms that may not be recognized as allergy-related include:
- Headaches
- Sore Throat
- Loss of Taste or Smell
- Low Productivity/Poor Concentration
- Fatigue
- Sleep Disturbances
- Snoring
Cause of Allergies
It is unknown why certain people are allergic to certain things while others are not. We do know, however, that allergies tend to run in families, so if you have allergies, it is likely that at least one of your parents does too. Likewise, if you are a parent with allergies, it is possible that your child may have allergies as well.
Allergy symptoms are caused by your immune system mistaking a harmless substance for a dangerous one. Your confused immune system’s reaction causes your body to produce an antibody called “immunoglobulin E” that releases histamine, which causes you to sneeze, spreads an itchiness over your watery eyes, or any other allergy symptoms you suffer from.
The occurrence of allergy symptoms depends on what the patient is allergic to. Seasonal allergies occur with the pollen season, whereas allergies to dust, mold, or pets can occur year-round.
Similarities between cold symptoms and allergy symptoms:
A cold, the flu, and allergies all share the common symptoms of a stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, cough, headache, or even fatigue.
However, there are two symptoms that you can look out for to determine whether you are suffering from allergies or something else. These are a fever and aches/pain, which would not be caused by allergies but could be due to a cold or the flu. Symptoms of the flu are often more severe than a cold.
While the symptoms are similar, the origin of the condition is different. A cold and the flu are both caused by different viruses, whereas allergies are caused by your immune system reacting to a trigger it wrongly perceives to be a threat. Common inhalant allergy triggers are pollen, dust, mold, and pet dander.
Find Relief From Your Allergy Symptoms
Our board-certified allergists undergo two additional years of training to diagnose and treat patients who have asthma, allergies, or immunologic diseases.
If your allergies are causing you to repeatedly experience sinus infections or symptoms that last for months, or just generally interfere with your quality of life, it may be time to see an allergist.
When you give us a visit, we start with an allergy test to identify your allergy triggers. Then, our allergy doctors will develop a personalized treatment plan that will help you find relief.
Don’t suffer from untreated allergies. Schedule an appointment today with one of our board-certified allergy doctors, and move towards a clearer tomorrow.
Don’t suffer from untreated allergies. Schedule an appointment today with one of our board-certified allergists, and move towards a clearer tomorrow.