Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsMild SymptomsModerate SymptomsSevere SymptomsAllergy vs. Viral SymptomsWhen to See a ProviderNext in Allergies GuideWhat Causes Allergies? Common Allergens and Other Factors
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Mild Symptoms
Moderate Symptoms
Severe Symptoms
Allergy vs. Viral Symptoms
When to See a Provider
Next in Allergies Guide
Allergiesoccur when your immune system has a reaction to a normally harmless foreign substance (known as an allergen) such asdust,pollen, orfood,resulting in physical symptoms that can range from mild to life-threatening.
Allergy symptoms and their severity vary from person to person, and more than one substance can trigger an allergic reaction in someone.There are mild, moderate, and severe categories of allergy symptoms.
This article will look at mild, moderate, and severe allergy symptoms and how to tell if it’s an allergy or sickness causing your symptoms.
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Mild Allergy Symptoms
Mild allergic reactions usually occur only in the parts of the body that come into direct contact with the allergen.
There are seven main symptoms that are typical of mild allergies. They include:
How the allergen enters your body will determine the type of symptoms you’ll have. Allergens usually enter the body in one of four ways, as follows:
Moderate Allergy Symptoms
Allergy symptoms usually start off as mild but can become worse over time.Moderate allergic reactions are worse than mild reactions, but not as serious as severe reactions.
Moderate allergic reactions can include these symptoms:
Severe Allergy Symptoms
Severe allergy symptomsare serious and can worsen quickly intoanaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction that usually affects more than one part of the body such as the lungs, heart, skin, or digestive system.
Signs of anaphylaxisinclude:
Common Anaphylaxis CausesThe mostcommon causes of anaphylaxisare:Wasp andbee venomLegumes, especiallypeanutsAnimal proteins, especially cow’s milk, eggs, and seafoodMedications, especiallyantibioticsand nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Common Anaphylaxis Causes
The mostcommon causes of anaphylaxisare:Wasp andbee venomLegumes, especiallypeanutsAnimal proteins, especially cow’s milk, eggs, and seafoodMedications, especiallyantibioticsand nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
The mostcommon causes of anaphylaxisare:
How to Tell If It’s Allergies or If You’re Sick
It can be hard to tell if you are sick with a cold orfluorhave allergies, because all three can share similar symptoms such as congestion, runny nose, and sore throat. But there are somedifferences that can help you tellwhether your symptoms are from allergies or being sick.
How Long Symptoms Last
Types of Symptoms
Both colds and flu can causefever, but allergies do not cause fever. You can also feel extremeexhaustion with the flu, but not with allergies or a cold. Allergies also often cause itchy, watery eyes, which typically aren’t present with a cold or flu.
Is It COVID-19 or Allergies?
COVID-19and allergies also share certain similar respiratory symptoms like sore throat andcongestion. But COVID frequently has symptoms that you won’t have with allergies. They include:
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If you’re experiencing allergy symptoms more than a few months out of the year or if symptoms are affecting your quality of life, daily activities, or sleep, you should contact a healthcare provider. You should also call a healthcare provider ifover-the-counter (OTC) medicinesaren’t controlling your symptoms or causing more than mild side effects.
A healthcare provider can helpdiagnose whether you have allergiesand to which allergens. They can advise you on how best to avoid those allergens and whattreatmentsare available.
Summary
Allergies are very common and can cause a wide range of symptoms depending on the typeand severity of the allergy. Allergy symptoms are categorized as mild, moderate, or severe. A severe allergic reaction can cause anaphylaxis, a life-threatening medical emergency requiring emergency treatment.
Allergies can also have symptoms that are similar to those of colds, flu, and COVID-19. However, the presence or absence of certain symptoms, such as fever, upset stomach, and body aches, can help you determine which condition you have.
You should contact a healthcare provider if your allergies affect your daily life or you’re not finding relief from OTC medications.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American College of Allergies, Asthma & Immunology.Allergies 101.Allergy & Asthma Network.Allergy symptoms.Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care.Allergies: overview.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Allergy symptoms.Allergy & Asthma Network.What is anaphylaxis?Worm M, Eckermann O, Dölle S, et al.Triggers and treatment of anaphylaxis: an analysis of 4,000 cases from Germany, Austria and Switzerland.Dtsch Arztebl Int.2014;111(21):367-375. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2014.0367National Institutes of Health News in Health.Cold, flu, or allergy?American College of Emergency Physicians.How COVID-19 symptoms compare to allergies.American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.When to see an allergist.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American College of Allergies, Asthma & Immunology.Allergies 101.Allergy & Asthma Network.Allergy symptoms.Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care.Allergies: overview.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Allergy symptoms.Allergy & Asthma Network.What is anaphylaxis?Worm M, Eckermann O, Dölle S, et al.Triggers and treatment of anaphylaxis: an analysis of 4,000 cases from Germany, Austria and Switzerland.Dtsch Arztebl Int.2014;111(21):367-375. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2014.0367National Institutes of Health News in Health.Cold, flu, or allergy?American College of Emergency Physicians.How COVID-19 symptoms compare to allergies.American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.When to see an allergist.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American College of Allergies, Asthma & Immunology.Allergies 101.Allergy & Asthma Network.Allergy symptoms.Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care.Allergies: overview.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Allergy symptoms.Allergy & Asthma Network.What is anaphylaxis?Worm M, Eckermann O, Dölle S, et al.Triggers and treatment of anaphylaxis: an analysis of 4,000 cases from Germany, Austria and Switzerland.Dtsch Arztebl Int.2014;111(21):367-375. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2014.0367National Institutes of Health News in Health.Cold, flu, or allergy?American College of Emergency Physicians.How COVID-19 symptoms compare to allergies.American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.When to see an allergist.
American College of Allergies, Asthma & Immunology.Allergies 101.
Allergy & Asthma Network.Allergy symptoms.
Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care.Allergies: overview.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Allergy symptoms.
Allergy & Asthma Network.What is anaphylaxis?
Worm M, Eckermann O, Dölle S, et al.Triggers and treatment of anaphylaxis: an analysis of 4,000 cases from Germany, Austria and Switzerland.Dtsch Arztebl Int.2014;111(21):367-375. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2014.0367
National Institutes of Health News in Health.Cold, flu, or allergy?
American College of Emergency Physicians.How COVID-19 symptoms compare to allergies.
American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.When to see an allergist.
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