Allergy Symptoms and Signs

Warning allergy symptoms can be headaches, constipation, and even dark circles under the eyes.

The prevalence of allergies in Europe makes it the most prevalent chronic disease. Some form of this disease affects 10 to 40% of the world’s population, and by 2025, the number of sufferers may increase to 50%.

According to a commonly held stereotype, allergies are easily recognizable. Watery eyes, runny nose, and rashes – indeed, these are the most common symptoms, but there are others that are equally significant.

The Daily Post has collected symptoms that may indicate that you have a chronic allergic reaction, even if you are not ready to classify yourself as an allergy sufferer.

1. Headaches

A headache can have dozens of causes. It may be possible to assume that your headache is due to allergies by the nature of the discomfort. There are two options:

a). The pain is localized in the nasal sinuses and radiates to the bridge of the nose.

b). The throbbing pain is located on one side of the head and may worsen with exposure to bright sunlight, accompanied by nausea.

If such attacks occur regularly, it makes sense to consult a therapist or an allergist as it may be a clear symptom of hay fever.

2. Constipation

Constipation is one of the most common symptoms of a food allergy, especially in young children.

A study of almost 9,500 children under the age of three found that 73% of babies who had problems with constipation were later diagnosed with an allergy to cow’s milk protein.

In adults, the relationship between constipation and food allergies is not so straightforward; however, it is assumed to exist. If you often encounter challenges with defecation, it’s possible that your body is experiencing an allergenic reaction to some food in your diet.

3. Feeling constantly tired

Allergy to plant pollen, dust, or pet hair is accompanied by swelling in the nasal passages. Due to edema, even if it is insignificant and almost imperceptible, it may deteriorate the supply of oxygen to the lungs and organs and tissues. But that is not all.

Due to difficulties with nasal breathing, a person may experience difficulty sleeping. They often wake up during the night and feel not rested in the morning. Day after day, fatigue builds up, and this is a clear indication for a visit to a therapist.

4. Memory disorders

Given the constant lack of sleep, problems with concentration and memory are predictable outcomes.

5. Chapped lips

The habit of breathing through the mouth leads to chapped, dry, and cracked lips. Often, cracks on the lips are one of the first symptoms that doctors notice in allergy sufferers who have just come to their first “thematic” appointment.

6. Abdominal pain

According to the Cleveland Clinic, regular, mild abdominal cramps are a relatively common but often overlooked sign of a food allergy.

Pain is due to the production of histamines, which are generated in the gastrointestinal tract when it comes into contact with an allergen.

7. Dark circles under the eyes

When someone experiences an allergic swelling in their sinuses, it can cause a buildup of blood in the tiny capillaries located beneath their eyes. Blood vessels widen, become more visible, and darken under the thin skin surrounding the eyes.

8. Loss of smell

If allergy-related nasal congestion is not treated, it can lead to a deterioration or even loss of smell – anosmia.

9. Decreased taste sensitivity

The sense of taste is closely linked with the sense of smell. If you have trouble with your sense of smell, then your sense of taste is dulled. Food begins to seem insipid, with no flavor.

You may notice a decrease in taste sensitivity by indirect signs. For example, you may start reaching for the salt and pepper shakers more often than before to enhance the flavor of your meals.

10. Hoarse voice

With severe allergies, the vocal tract is compressed, which can lead to a hoarse voice. If the hoarseness persists for more than 7-10 days, you should visit a therapist as it may be a sign of an allergy. An obsessive dry cough for no apparent reason can also be a sign of an allergy.

11. Increased anxiety

Anaphylactic shock, a severe form of an allergic reaction, sometimes resembles a panic attack. If you frequently have panic attacks and are unsure of their triggers, it’s important to be mindful of your surroundings.

What did you just eat? What are you breathing in? Were you wearing latex gloves? Maybe you took some kind of medicine? Panic can be the body’s response to meeting an allergen that is dangerous for you personally, and it should be investigated.

If you think you have an allergy, contact your physician and tell them about any symptoms that seem suspicious to you. The doctor will examine you, ask about your lifestyle, diet, and bad habits, and then may offer to take a series of tests to rule out other diseases.

If the assumption of a hidden allergy seems reasonable to the therapist, they will refer you to a more specialized allergist. Under their guidance, you will take tests for allergens to find the substance that causes an excessively violent reaction in your body.