What are the symptoms of allergies?

There is considerable variation in the symptoms and severity of symptoms among people with allergies. They include:

• runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion (allergic rhinitis)
• itchy watery eyes
• burning or itchy palate and throat
• itchy rash (eczema or atopic dermatitis)
• hives (red itchy swollen areas of the skin sometimes called urticaria)
• swelling
• asthma (wheezing, shortness of breath, tightness in the chest)
• anaphylaxis- severe allergic reaction leading to shock, life-threatening respiratory (breathing) distress and circulatory collapse