Allergies: What are the Symptoms and Types?
Spring Allergies There's no cure but you can take steps to curb springtime allergies, from medication to household habits.
Summer Allergies Summer allergies are usually triggered by pollen from grasses and weeds.
Fall Allergies Ragweed, mold and dust mites are the biggest allergy triggers in the fall.
Winter Allergies If you have indoor allergies such as mold and dust mites, you may notice symptoms more during winter, when you spend more time inside.
Hay Fever Hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis, is an immune disorder characterized by an allergic response to pollen grains and other substances. There are two types: seasonal, which occurs only during the time of year in which certain plants pollinate, and perennial, which occurs year-round.
Pollen Allergies More than 25 million Americans are allergic to pollen from trees, grass, or weeds.
Dust Allergy For creatures you can't even see, dust mites can stir up a lot of trouble.
Dog Allergy For a person with dog allergies, life in a dog-loving country isn't easy. Approximately 37%-47% of American households have a dog.
Cat Allergy About 10% of the U.S. population has pet allergies and cats are among the most common culprits. Cat allergies are twice as common as dog allergies.
Is It an Allergy or an Intolerance? Food allergies or food intolerances affect nearly everyone at some point. People often have an unpleasant reaction to something they ate and wonder if they have a food allergy.
Casein Allergy If a glass of milk or slice of pizza causes swollen lips, hives, or other symptoms, you may have an allergy to casein, a protein in milk. Another milk protein associated with allergies is whey. Some people are allergic to both casein and whey.
Egg Allergy Egg allergies are more common in children than in adults. Reactions range from mild to severe.
Wheat Allergy It can be a challenge to avoid wheat because it's in so many things.
Nut Allergy If you suffer from a nut allergy, strictly avoiding nuts, including peanuts and tree nuts like cashews and walnuts, and food containing nuts is the only way to prevent a reaction.
Fish Allergy If you're allergic to one kind of fish, your doctor may have told you to avoid others. Here's what to look out for.
Shellfish Allergy If you're allergic to one type of shellfish, you may have problems with others. Take these steps to make sure you don't have an allergic reaction.
Sulfite Sensitivity Sulfites are a group of sulfur-based compounds that may occur naturally or may be added to food as an enhancer and preservative. The FDA estimates that one out of 100 people is sensitive to the compounds.
Soy Allergy If all you needed to do for a soy allergy was skip the soy sauce and tofu, life would be a breeze! But soybeans are a big part of processed foods, too.
Contact Dermatitis Something touches your skin, and your immune system thinks it's under attack. It overreacts and sends antibodies to help fight the invader, called an allergen. The result is a red, itchy rash where the substance landed.
Hives (Urticaria) and Angioedema Hives, also known as urticaria, are an outbreak of swollen, pale red bumps, patches, or welts on the skin that appear suddenly -- as a result of allergies, or for other reasons. In angioedema, the swelling happens under the skin, not on the surface.
Allergies to Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac are plants that contain an irritating, oily sap called urushiol. Urushiol triggers an allergic reaction when it comes into contact with skin, resulting in an itchy rash, which can appear within hours of exposure or up to several days later.
Allergies to Insect Stings Bee, wasp, yellow jacket, hornet, or fire ant stings are the insect stings that most often trigger allergies. Most people are not allergic to insect stings and may mistake a normal sting reaction for an allergic reaction.
Can You Be Allergic to the Sun? Most people's skin will burn if there is enough exposure to ultraviolet radiation. However, some people burn particularly easily or develop exaggerated skin reactions to sunlight.
Cosmetic Allergies Some beauty products can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions. Certain ingredients used in cosmetics, such as fragrances and preservatives, can act as allergens, substances that trigger an allergic reaction.
Eye Allergies Millions of Americans have allergies. Most of those millions have symptoms involving their eyes.
Allergic Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) Conjunctivitis is one of the most common and treatable eye conditions in children and adults.
Drug Allergies Many medications can cause side effects, and certain ones can trigger allergies.
Aspirin (Salicylate) Allergy If you're allergic to chemicals called salicylates, you may need to avoid certain foods, medicines, and other products.
Penicillin Allergy Since the 1940s, penicillin has been a go-to drug to clear up infections caused by bacteria. But some people get a bad reaction from taking it.