ALLERGIES – FIRST AID
Symptoms & Signs
Allergy symptoms vary, but may include:
- Breathing problems
- Burning, tearing, or itchy eyes
- CONJUNCTIVITIS (red, swollen eyes)
- Coughing
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Hives
- Itching of the nose, mouth, throat, skin, or any other area
- Runny nose
- Skin rashes
- Stomach cramps
- Vomiting
- Wheezing
What part of the body is contacted by the allergen plays a role in the symptoms you develop. For example:
- Allergens that are breathed in often cause a stuffy nose, itchy nose and throat, mucus production, cough, or WHEEZING
- Allergens that touch the eyes may cause itchy, watery, red, swollen eyes.
- Eating something you are allergic to can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhea, or a severe, life-threatening reaction
- Allergens that touch the skin can cause a skin rash, hives, itching, blisters, or even skin peeling
- Drug allergies usually involve the whole body and can lead to a variety of symptoms
Treatment
- Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) require treatment with a medicine called epinephrine, which can be life-saving when immediately given.
- The best way to reduce symptoms is to try and avoid what causes your allergies in the first place. This is especially important for food and drug allergies.
There are several types of medications available to prevent and treat allergies. Which medicine your doctor recommends depends on the type and severity of your symptoms, your age, and overall health.
Specific illnesses that are caused by allergies (such as asthma, hay fever, and eczema) may require other treatments.