Could you be dealing with allergies? It’s important to know the signs.
While people without allergies may be singing the praises of spring weather, you may be hiding away in your home. Or you may be finding that even your home isn’t safe when it comes to your watery eyes and stuffy nose. From the foods we eat to outdoor plants, there are so many things that can cause allergies to kick up. Know the signs of an allergy and when your symptoms warrant turning to our Garland, TX, ENT doctor Dr. James Maddox for further evaluation.
Symptoms of Allergies
An allergic reaction can appear anywhere from a couple of minutes after exposure, or it may develop over the course of several hours. Most of the time, symptoms are mild and can be managed with simple over-the-counter medications. Common allergy symptoms that we see here in Garland, TX include,
- Sneezing
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Red, watery, or itchy eyes
- Chest tightness
- Shortness of breath
- Persistent cough
- Hives (a red, itchy rash)
- Dry or red skin
- Swelling of the eyes, face, or lips
What you are allergic to will determine what types of symptoms you are dealing with. For example, if you are allergic to ragweed and you go outside you may battle a runny nose or red, watery eyes while someone who has a skin allergy may be more likely to develop hives when they come in contact with an allergen.
In some cases, a person may develop a severe allergic reaction. This is known as anaphylaxis and should be treated right away, as this can be deadly. Some signs of anaphylaxis include,
- Swelling of the lips, tongue, and throat
- Feeling as if the throat is closing up
- Trouble breathing
- Dizziness
- Blue lips
- Loss of consciousness
It’s important that if you or a child is experiencing any of these symptoms that you can 911 right away.
When to See an ENT Doctor
So, when should you turn to an ear, nose, and throat doctor regarding your allergy symptoms? It’s time to give your doctor a call if,
- Your symptoms keep you up at night or make it difficult to work
- You have had persistent allergy symptoms for more than three months
- You’ve tried remedies and OTC medications, but they aren’t working
- You deal with recurrent sinus infections
- Your symptoms are severe
- You also have preexisting health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure (certain over-the-counter allergy meds may not be safe)
If you are desperate for allergy relief and over-the-counter remedies aren’t doing the trick, it’s maybe time to turn to our ENT team here in Garland, TX, to address your allergies. To schedule an evaluation with Dr. James Maddox, call (972) 272-5555.