Can allergies last for months?

It clears up on its own after a few days for many people. In others, especially those with allergies, rhinitis can be a chronic problem. Chronic means it is almost always present or recurs often. Rhinitis can last for weeks to months with allergen exposure.

Perennial allergic rhinitis Is a chronic allergic condition that causes nasal congestion and a runny nose. Unlike other types of allergies, it doesn’t go away during certain seasons or months of the year.

If you notice your symptoms lasting over 10 days Or coming up during the same time of year each year, you’re likely suffering from allergies.

Year-round (perennial) allergies result from Indoor exposure to airborne substances (such as house dust) that are present throughout the year. The nose is congested, itchy, and sometimes runny, and the mouth and throat are itchy. The symptoms and activities that trigger the allergy usually suggest the diagnosis.

There is currently no cure for allergies. However, there are OTC and prescription medications that may relieve symptoms. Avoiding allergy triggers or reducing contact with them can help prevent allergic reactions. Over time, immunotherapy may reduce the severity of allergic reactions.

Try an over-the-counter remedy

• Oral antihistamines. Antihistamines can help relieve sneezing, itching, a stuffy or runny nose, and watery eyes. …
• Corticosteroid nasal sprays. These medications improve nasal symptoms. …
• Cromolyn sodium nasal spray. …
• Oral decongestants.

You should see an allergist if: Your allergies are causing symptoms such as chronic sinus infections, nasal congestion or difficulty breathing. You experience hay fever or other allergy symptoms several months out of the year.

Your doctor might suggest over-the-counter or prescription medication in the form of pills or liquid, nasal sprays, or eyedrops. Immunotherapy. For severe allergies or allergies not completely relieved by other treatment, your doctor might recommend Allergen immunotherapy.

Allergies can cause a lot of upper respiratory symptoms, much like a cold. You may have congestion and sneezing, but you’ll likely also have watery or itchy eyes and itchy skin. You may feel tired, but not necessarily feel like you’re sick. Colds and flu typically run their course within five to 10 days.

Experts say, It’s usually okay. “Taken in the recommended doses, antihistamines can be taken daily, but patients should make sure they do not interact with their other medications,” says Sandra Lin, MD, professor and vice director of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at John Hopkins School of Medicine.

Main allergy symptoms

• Sneezing and an itchy, runny or blocked nose (allergic rhinitis)
• Itchy, red, watering eyes (conjunctivitis)
• Wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath and a cough.
• A raised, itchy, red rash (hives)
• Swollen lips, tongue, eyes or face.
• Tummy pain, feeling sick, vomiting or diarrhoea.

Signs of a Severe Allergic Reaction

1. Runny or Stuffy Nose. 1/15. If your nose drips or stuffs up a few minutes after you walk outside, it may be allergic rhinitis. …
2. Sneezing. 2/15. …
3. Itchy, Watery Eyes. 3/15. …
4. Itchy Ears or Mouth. 4/15. …
5. Breathing Changes. 5/15. …
6. Hives. 6/15. …
7. Skin Rash. 7/15. …
8. Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea. 8/15.

Allergies are much more than a minor inconvenience; studies have shown that untreated allergies can contribute to a plethora of chronic illnesses including asthma, sinus infections, upper respiratory infections, ear infections and general susceptibility to illness.

Mild allergic reactions can usually be treated with home remedies and over-the-counter (OTC) medications. However, chronic allergies need treatment from a medical professional. Severe allergic reactions always require emergency medical care.

The good news is there are many natural remedies you can try to control your allergy symptoms:

1. Cleanse your nose. Pollens adhere to our mucus membranes. …
2. Manage stress. …
3. Try acupuncture. …
4. Explore herbal remedies. …
5. Consider apple cider vinegar. …
6. Visit a chiropractor. …
7. Detox the body. …
8. Take probiotics.

Foods That Cause Allergies

• Milk (mostly in children)
• Eggs.
• Peanuts.
• Tree nuts, like walnuts, almonds, pine nuts, brazil nuts, and pecans.
• Soy.
• Wheat.
• Fish (mostly in adults)
• Shellfish (mostly in adults)

A skin prick test, also called a puncture or scratch test, checks for immediate allergic reactions to as many as 50 different substances at once. This test is usually done to identify allergies to pollen, mold, pet dander, dust mites and foods. In adults, the test is usually done on the forearm.

If your allergy symptoms last longer than two weeks and keep returning, you should consider allergy testing. Typically, acute sinus and allergy problems last no more than four weeks, while chronic ones can last significantly longer— eight-to-twelve weeks. Chronic allergies linger for years.

Allergies may simply worsen with age because you’ve been exposed to the triggers longer, Parikh says. “It takes repeated exposure to develop allergies. It can take a while for the immune system to decide it doesn’t like that allergen.”