4 Unexpected Signs That You Have Allergies
When people think about having allergies, thoughts tend to leap to sniffling, sneezing, and hives or skin rashes. However, these aren't the only symptoms of allergies, and you could have allergies without even knowing it. If you have one of these symptoms on a regular basis, it could mean that you have undiagnosed allergies.
Headaches
Headaches quite commonly occur alongside other allergy symptoms, like sneezing, but they can also happen on their own. There are a few different reasons why people get headaches from allergies. Allergies can cause inflammation in the tissues, which can be uncomfortable and trigger a headache. In some people, allergies can also affect capillaries and constrict them, slightly reducing blood flow to the head. While generally not dangerous, this can cause a painful headache.
Vomiting
Vomiting is one potential sign of allergies, though it usually indicates a more dangerous food allergen reaction than a seasonal or environmental allergen reaction. Vomiting occurs because the body recognizes something dangerous and is trying to eject it from the body. If you're throwing up regularly, especially following meals with similar ingredients, you should seek help from a doctor immediately. Putting it off could increase your risk of developing anaphylactic shock.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea can also occur if you have an undiagnosed food allergy. Luckily, if you have this symptom alone, it usually means the allergy isn't as severe as it would be if you were vomiting. Diarrhea typically means that the allergen you consumed is irritating your intestines or bowel and diarrhea is the result. However, like with any food allergy, you should still seek medical help.
Sleepiness
Lastly, allergies of any kind can cause sleepiness. The main reason for this is that people who have allergies tend to sleep poorly as a result. If allergies make it difficult for you to breathe in your sleep or pain and discomfort are keeping you awake, you'll probably feel tired during the day. However, seeking assistance from a doctor is better than simply putting yourself on an antihistamine, as some antihistamines can actually make you more tired.
Allergies are a fairly common ailment to have, but their symptoms aren't always obvious indicators that you have a problem. If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, relief can easily be sought by visiting an allergy specialist or a facility like Mid America Ear, Nose, & Throat Clinic PC. They will help you to determine what's triggering your allergies and to prevent you from having these unpleasant effects in the future.