Key takeaways:
Allergies can cause a wide variety of symptoms, from rashes and itching to swelling and breathing problems.
Some allergy symptoms are mild, while others can be life-threatening (anaphylaxis).
Allergies typically have symptoms that are different from the common cold, the flu, or COVID-19.
If you’re having ongoing allergy symptoms, talk with a healthcare professional. There are many options for preventing and treating your symptoms.
Do you ever feel itchy or sneezy around certain things like pets or pollen? Or maybe eating a certain type of food causes you to break out in hives? It’s possible that you could have allergies.
Allergies are when your body’s immune system reacts to something it thinks is harmful, like pollen or certain foods. This can cause all sorts of symptoms, from runny nose and eyes to skin rashes and breathing problems.
But what are the most common allergy symptoms? And how can you tell whether you have allergies — or if it could be something else?
Allergies occur when your immune system overreacts to an otherwise harmless trigger like food, pet dander, or pollen.
Different types of allergies include:
Food and drug allergies: This is when your immune system overreacts to a certain medication or type of food (like nuts or eggs).
Environmental allergies: This is when your immune system is triggered by things in your environment like dust, mold, pollen, and pet dander.
Skin allergies: These happen when your skin comes into contact with something that your immune system sees as a threat, such as a certain laundry detergent or soap.
Insect allergies: This is when your immune system reacts strongly to being stung by an insect like a bee or wasp. Some people are also allergic to cockroaches.
Need more details? Check out GoodRx’s guide to allergies for more information on the types of allergies and what causes them.
There’s no one set of allergic symptoms. Depending on the type of allergic reaction, you may experience different symptoms at different times — even from the same trigger.
But there are some telltale symptoms of allergies that are — and aren’t — caused by the immune system, said allergy expert Dr. Punita Ponda, associate chief of the Division of Allergy and Immunology at Northwell Health. These allergy symptoms include:
Runny nose
Nasal congestion
Sneezing
Itchy eyes
Too many treatment options for allergy symptoms? Get the lowdown on over-the-counter allergy medicines.
When you take your allergy medicine matters. Decongestants start to work in 30 minutes, whereas steroids can take up to 2 weeks to kick in.
What if your allergy medication stops working? Our experts walk you through what to do next if that happens.
Let’s take a closer look at these symptoms — and more.
This cluster of allergy symptoms is caused by inflammation in your face and throat area. It’s most often caused by pollen in the air during certain times of the year (also called hay fever). It can be caused by other environmental allergens, too, like pet dander, dust mites, and strong odors.
This is when your eyes and eyelids become irritated and inflamed after coming into contact with an allergen. Just like allergic rhinitis, it’s most often triggered by seasonal pollen.
Asthma is a health condition where you have trouble breathing. In this case, asthma symptoms are triggered by allergens like pet dander or pollen. People with allergic asthma often have other symptoms as well, such as itchy nose, ears, or eyes.
These symptoms can happen when allergies affect your stomach and gut. They’re most common in people with food allergies.
Keep in mind that stomach pain and other digestive symptoms can also be caused by many other health conditions, such as:
This is when your skin becomes red and irritated after coming in contact with an allergen. Common culprits include soap, laundry detergents, and makeup.
This is a skin reaction that can be caused by many different allergens. It’s uncomfortable but usually harmless on its own. Keep in mind, though, that many people with hives also get angioedema (see below) at the same time. Angioedema can be life-threatening.
This symptom is caused by a sudden fluid buildup in the skin. It usually affects the face and mouth, hands, and genitals. In some cases, throat swelling can be a life-threatening emergency.
Keep in mind: These symptoms can vary from person to person, and they can range from mild to severe. As mentioned above, in some cases they can even be life-threatening (more on this below).
Sometimes, it can be hard to tell the difference between allergies and an illness caused by a virus like COVID-19, the flu, or the common cold. Many symptoms can feel similar, like sore throat, congestion, and cough.
According to Dr. Ponda, one clue is that allergy symptoms show up “when you feel otherwise well and don’t have a fever.” This is because allergies don’t cause you to feel unwell in your body, with fever or fatigue. But viral infections often do.
Here are some other clues that can help you tell the difference:
When were you exposed? Allergies begin right after you're exposed to an allergen. Cold, flu, and COVID symptoms don’t appear until several days after you’ve been exposed to the virus.
Is it winter or spring? Seasonal allergies are more common in the spring, summer, and early fall. Viruses that cause colds, the flu, and COVID seem to be more active in the winter. Another tip from Dr. Ponda is that “people with allergies often have had similar symptoms around the same time in prior years.”
How long have you had symptoms? Allergy symptoms usually last as long as you’re around your trigger. Viral infection symptoms usually fade within 1 to 2 weeks.
Do you feel itchy? Allergies can cause itchy eyes, nose, throat, and skin. Viral infections don’t usually cause itching.
When it comes to allergy treatment, there are three main options:
Over-the-counter (OTC) products: These are treatments that are available without a prescription. They come in many different forms, such as pills, nasal sprays, skin creams, and eye drops. Some contain medication, while others don’t.
Prescription medications: These medications are only available with a prescription. Just like OTC products, there are many options available — including nasal sprays, eye drops, pills, and inhalers.
Immunotherapy treatments: These are medical treatments that can make some people less sensitive to allergens. They work best for people with certain environmental allergies like pollen, dust, and stinging insects. There are two types of immunotherapy treatments available: allergy shots and sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT).
Yes! You can help keep your symptoms under control by limiting your exposure to allergy triggers as much as possible. This might include:
Using an air purifier in your home
Using a nasal saline rinse (neti pot) to wash out your nose
Avoiding foods and medications that trigger your allergies
Wearing a mask when you’re outdoors
Using filters on your windows, or keeping the windows and doors closed
Washing bedding, pillows, and soft toys frequently
Using a vacuum with a HEPA filter
Scrubbing mold and mildew out of your home
Grooming your pets regularly
Not smoking, vaping, or using strong-smelling chemicals in your home
For some people, natural remedies (like herbs or supplements) and acupuncture can also help.
If allergy symptoms are interfering with your daily life, talk with a healthcare professional. They can help figure out whether your symptoms are caused by allergies — or if you’re dealing with another health condition. They can also suggest medications that can prevent and treat your allergy symptoms.
In some cases, your primary care provider might recommend that you visit an allergist. An allergist is a medical doctor who has special training in diagnosing and treating allergies. They may be able to offer additional services like allergy testing and immunotherapy.
Keep in mind that allergies can increase your risk for other health problems, especially if they go untreated. These can include sinus infections, headaches, nasal polyps, and more.
Yes. Sometimes people can have a severe and life-threatening allergic reaction, called anaphylaxis. In adults, anaphylaxis is usually caused by a medication like penicillin or aspirin. In children, food is the main cause.
Anaphylaxis can happen very quickly. Symptoms usually start to appear just a few minutes after exposure. Common symptoms include:
Skin rashes or hives
Swelling in the body or face
Trouble breathing
Dizziness
Fainting
Stomach or abdominal pain
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Confusion
Anxiety
A feeling of doom
If you think you or someone you know is having anaphylaxis, you should call 911 right away or go to the emergency room (ER). If you have access to an epinephrine auto-injector — like an EpiPen — use it as soon as possible.
It depends. Some decongestants can help relieve congestion and sinus pressure due to a cold. But other allergy medications, like Zyrtec or Claritin, won’t help with cold symptoms.
Symptoms usually go away within 6 hours, but not always. If your symptoms persist or worsen, it’s best to get medical attention.
Peanuts are one of the most common foods to cause allergies. Food allergy symptoms are similar to what’s listed above. These can include:
Itching and/or hives
Swelling of the throat, tongue, or lips
Difficulty breathing and swallowing
Lightheadedness
Nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea
Symptoms vary by person. But in most severe cases, the reaction can turn into anaphylactic shock, which threatens the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
Allergies are a common health problem. They can cause different symptoms throughout your body, such as itching, congestion, rashes, and swelling. And, in some cases, these symptoms can lead to other medical conditions — or even be life-threatening.
If you’re dealing with allergies, talk with your primary care provider. They can help figure out what’s causing your allergies. And they can put together a treatment plan for getting your symptoms under control.
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