What are the symptoms of allergies?

What are the symptoms of allergies?

Harold Kaiser (Practicing Allergist and Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School) gives expert video advice on: When should I see a doctor if I think I have allergies?; Are allergies genetic?; What are the tests to find out if I have allergies? and more...

The symptoms of allergies depend on what the allergic problem is. For example, for allergic rhinitis or hay fever, symptoms are nasal congestion, sneezing, a stuffy or runny nose, itchy eyes and the like. The symptoms of allergic asthma are coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. The symptoms of an allergic skin reaction may be hives or an itchy red skin. The symptoms of a food allergy may include those of the respiratory symptom and also the skin reactions such as hives or itching, and on occasion they include gastrointistinal reactions such as nausea, diarrhoea, and vomiting. These are less common than the skin reactions or the upper respiratory congestion in allergic reactions to foods.