Allergy Signs & Symptoms Do you have allergies? This information can help you determine if you suffer from allergies and what substances could be triggering your symptoms. Allergy symptoms include: Sneezing Runny or clogged nose Coughing Itchy eyes, nose and throat Watering eyes

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Allergies usually are classified as:

• Indoor or perennial, with symptoms occurring year round
• Outdoor or seasonal, with symptoms typically limited to a particular season of the year

Indoor allergy symptoms are triggered when you inhale substances, or allergens, that are found inside your home or other buildings. Common indoor allergens include:

• Pet dander. Animal allergies are very common. The main cause is the saliva that sticks to the fur when your pet cleans itself. The saliva contains a protein that causes a reaction. Cats can be worse than dogs because they lick themselves more often, and spend more time in the house.  Your pet’s urine also can trigger allergies.
• Dust mites are found in house dust and may be the most common cause of year-round allergies.  These microscopic creatures can live unseen in bedding, upholstered furniture and carpets. Dead dust mites and their waste products can become airborne and cause allergic reactions when you inhale them.
• Mold spores, or seeds, are so small that you can easily inhale them without knowing it. Mold can be found throughout your home, but especially in damp places like shower stalls, basements and air-conditioner filters.
• Cockroaches are also associated with allergies, especially in people with chronic severe bronchial asthma. Cockroach allergens are believed to derive from feces, saliva and the bodies of these insects. The allergens become airborne when the air is stirred by people moving around or by children at play.

Outdoor allergy symptoms are triggered by inhaling allergens that are commonly found outdoors. Common outdoor allergens include:

• Pollens, which are tiny particles released by male plants and are carried by the wind, birds and insects to pollinate female plants. The most troublesome pollens for allergy sufferers are those spread by the wind. These typically come from trees, grasses and weeds.
  
  
• Trees pollinate first, usually from late February through May. In the South, trees may start releasing their pollen as early as January. Trees produce light, dry pollen that can be carried by the wind for miles. Fortunately, fewer than 100 species (out of 50,000) are known to cause allergies. Some common examples include: elm, sycamore, hickory, walnut and pecan.
• Grasses follow next, with pollen production lasting from May through July. The most common grasses that can cause allergies are Bermuda grass, Johnson grass, Kentucky bluegrass, Orchard grass, Sweet vernal grass, and Timothy grass.
• In the late summer and early fall, weed pollens are the principle triggers for allergy sufferers. Ragweed is by far the biggest problem. A single ragweed plant can produce a million grains of pollen a day. The season for ragweed pollen runs from August to November, but mid-September can be the worst time, when pollen levels peak
• Mold spores, which can be present year-round in warm humid parts of the country.

Is it a cold or allergy? Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference.

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