But sometimes, exposure to an allergen can cause a life-threatening allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis . This severe reaction happens when an over-release of chemicals puts the person into shock. Allergies to food, insect stings, medications and latex are most frequently associated with anaphylaxis.
Allergies can cause all kinds of unpleasant, distracting symptoms, from digestive upsets and headaches to respiratory trouble and runny eyes. However, you may also have experienced another few hallmark symptoms of allergy problems: fatigue, drowsiness, and mental sluggishness.
Histamine can cause a variety of symptoms, including rash, headache, sneezing, runny nose and swelling — and in the case of food allergies, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. If the allergen is something you breathe in, your reaction will probably affect your eyes, nose and lungs.
Latex, bee venom, and certain food allergies have a tendency to cause more serious reactions as we age. It isn't entirely clear why certain allergies tend to worsen with age and exposure, but these categories are common factors.
According to an ABC News report focusing on the question of whether allergies or sinusitis is the problem, approximately 50 percent of 600 allergy and asthma patients reported in a survey that they had diagnosed themselves as having allergies when the issue was actually sinusitis.
Milk is the most common allergen for children, followed by egg and peanut. Shellfish is the most common allergen for adults, followed by peanut and tree nut.
The most severe allergic reaction is anaphylaxis — a life-threatening whole-body allergic reaction that can impair your breathing, cause a dramatic drop in your blood pressure and affect your heart rate. Anaphylaxis can come on within minutes of exposure to the trigger food.
Allergic reactions can cause inflammation, which can lead to joint and muscle aches. Chronic body aches may be a sign of an immune system reaction, such as arthritis, but also can be a sign of allergies. Repeated coughing or sneezing as a result of your allergies can also cause soreness.
The Rarest (And Strangest) Allergies
Water: Medically known as aquagenic urticaria, patients with a water allergy develop painful hives and rashes when their skin is exposed to water. An allergic reaction will develop regardless of the water temperature, and even when the water is purified.
Allergies don't cause fevers
Unlike the term “hay fever,” allergies typically don't cause fevers. Colds are much more likely to elevate your body temperature or cause a fever than allergies. However, you could have an allergy flare-up at the same time you're developing an infection.
The only ache you may feel with allergies is a headache from all that congestion. Allergies can cause a sore throat if there's enough irritation from post-nasal drip and coughing, but if you're experiencing a sore throat or mild body aches, they're more likely a sign of a bad cold.
Genetics may play a role, as might changes in adult immune systems. Adult-onset allergies occur most often for people in their 20s and 30s, though it's possible to develop allergies at any age. Moving to a new area is one common cause experts agree on.
Spring: February - May
For spring allergy sufferers, the joys of warmer weather, birds chirping and flowers blooming come at a price. Bothersome nose and eye symptoms, breathing difficulties and skin allergies can set in as trees begin to pollinate.
Allergies can worsen over time because, as you age, your immune system changes. Sometimes it can become intolerant to allergens it used to tolerate. Seasonal allergies can also be worse due to climate change. Climate change has lengthened pollen season, making seasonal allergies last longer.
If you're experiencing itchiness, swollen bumps, dry, bumpy patches, or other unusual skin symptoms, seasonal allergies may be to blame.
What does allergy fatigue feel like? It can feel like extreme drowsiness, not even depending on the amount of sleep you get.
You may experience fatigue and body aches due an allergic reaction, which causes inflammation throughout your body.