If you suffer from allergies, you are not alone. An estimated 45 million Americans suffer from allergies. Common symptoms caused by allergies include frequent sneezing, itchy eyes, nose, or throat, stuffy nose, runny nose and post-nasal drip.
Allergies may also play a part in disorders of the ear, nose, and throat area, such as ear infections, hoarseness, and sinusitis. Allergy symptoms can be seasonal or present year-round.
The symptoms of environmental allergies vary. Some common symptoms are a runny nose, watery eyes, itchy skin, congestion, and rashes. These symptoms can be experienced as mild or severe. Some allergies cause anaphylaxis, which includes constricted airway and swollen throat lining. These types of symptoms cause trouble breathing and need emergency treatment.
If you can easily identify what's triggering your skin allergies, you might not need to see a doctor-avoiding that particular allergen might be enough to avoid future allergic reactions. However, in some cases, it might not be so easy to pinpoint what is the source of your skin allergies. If that's the case, it might be best to see a doctor to determine what allergens cause a reaction for you. Also, if your skin allergy symptoms are accompanied by other symptoms such as severe swelling, difficulty breathing, or vomiting, it's important to see a doctor.
If you have a diagnosis determining what your allergy is, and you can easily control your symptoms with medication or by avoiding the allergen, you may not need to talk to your physician further. However, if your symptoms increase or are not being fully treated by your medication, talk to your doctor about your options. In addition, if your condition changes-you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, for example-speak to your physician as certain allergy medications should be avoided during pregnancy. If you are unsure about anything, always talk to your doctor.
