Warning Signs You Need to Visit an Allergist

Do you need to see an allergist? Would you know if you did need to see one? Chances are, unless you are experiencing extended bouts of uncontrollable sneezing and watery eyes, you are probably unaware that you are battling allergies. Even then, some may still need convincing that they are suffering from an allergic reaction, as the signs of allergies (nasal, eye, respiratory or abdominal) often go undiagnosed because they are simply ignored. This is true not only for adults but for children as well.

The first and perhaps most obvious warning sign that you need to visit an allergist can be attributed to interruptions in your health that are impacting your daily functioning. For example, if you are experiencing abdominal pain, difficulty swallowing, itchy and watery eyes, mental confusion, and vomiting, you may want to seek medical attention not only to treat your allergic reactions but also to figure out what it is that you may be allergic to. This is important, as most people don’t realize that allergies are not just limited to runny noses and itchy eyes. In fact, allergies can entail congestion, diarrhea, and problems breathing, e.g. asthma, which can be fatal. Another warning sign that you need to visit an allergist can be experiencing an escalation or worsening of existing allergies that you are already are aware of. While most of us may know what foods or situations we may be allergic to, how our allergies manifest can and does change over the course of our lives. Not to mention we can also develop allergies to foods or conditions as we age. For example, you may be accustomed to sneezing or itchy eyes during the springtime, but this year you are experiencing problems breathing along with severe headaches. You may think that your allergy symptoms have diminished, when in fact that they may have morphed into different symptoms, perhaps even life threatening. It is imperative to have a doctor monitor your symptoms, whether stable or progressive, in an effort to maintain your health as well as a normal life.

Despite what you may have heard over the years, allergies are more pervasive than most of us realize. Although symptoms can and do include the typical itchy eyes and sneezing, allergies can also consist of more life-threatening symptoms such as problems breathing, vomiting, or mental confusion. This is critically important to understand not only to monitor and address your existing allergies, but also to monitor and address the onset of new allergies. As a result, it is imperative that you visit an allergist in the event of experiencing any of the aforementioned symptoms as doing so will not only alleviate your symptoms, but also restore your health.