Osteoporosis Osteoporosis

The Allergies Condition Guide will help you better understand allergies and their symptoms. Allergies affect many people. Often, symptoms are seasonal; allergic rhinitis may occur during the spring, summer, or fall. A person with these types of allergies is most likely sensitive to certain particles carried in the air. Airborne allergens can include pollens produced by trees and from plants in bloom. When the allergens enter the body, they can cause the symptoms associated with seasonal allergies: sneezing and runny nose, as well as itchy, watery eyes. Windy, hot, dry days are more likely to cause seasonal allergy symptoms because there are large amounts of pollen floating in the air. Seasonal allergy symptoms may lessen on a damp, rainy day, when much of the pollen is washed to the ground.

Some individuals have allergies that are year round, so-called perennial allergies. These are most often caused by indoor allergens, such as pet dander, dust mites, or mold. Whether seasonal, perennial, or both, allergy symptoms can include runny nose, sinus congestion, itching of the eyes, and itching of the roof of the mouth or back of the throat. Headache, coughing, wheezing, loss of appetite, and other symptoms may also result from allergies.

Another type of allergy is a food allergy; food allergies are most commonly triggered by eating certain nuts, peanuts, shellfish, fish, milk, eggs, wheat, and soybeans. While food allergies can cause symptoms similar to those of seasonal allergies, more importantly, they can cause severe total body reactions that can be life-threatening. Skin allergies, called contact dermatitis, can also result from any allergen that comes in contact with the skin, such as jewelry, cosmetics, soaps and lotions.

Related Conditions

• Anorexia Nervosa
• Back Hump / Dowager's Hump
• Fracture
• Menopause
• View All Condition Guides