What are sign and symptoms of allergies?

Allergies are immune responses to proteins foreign to the body of allergy-prone individuals. These proteins can be found in foods, animal shedding, mold, dust, medications, pollens from trees, grasses and weeds.

Signs of allergies include nasal congestion, trouble sleeping, itching eyes, skin rashes and diarrhea. Allergies can lead to more severe problems, such as ear and sinus infections, asthma attacks, chronic fatigue, and attention deficit. The most serious reaction, known as anaphylactic shock, causes immediate throat swelling, trouble breathing and drop in blood pressure, and can be life threatening.

Anyone having had these or similar symptoms should be tested for allergies, because allergen-specific treatment is available, very effective and sometimes lifesaving.

Ulrike Ziegner, M.D. Ph.D.
Diplomate, American Board of Allergy and Immunology
Member, South Bay Independent Physicians Medical Group, Inc.