What are the symptoms of allergy?
Allergic symptoms usually appear on the skin and the mucosal surfaces since these tissues are (1) the first to come in contact with the allergen, and (2) also the mast cells are found in large numbers here. Allergy symptoms can take many different forms depending on the reaction of the target organ. Some allergy symptoms are listed below:

Nose: Allergic rhinitis is ‘flu-like’ and associated with nasal itching, congestion, sneezing, runny thin watery discharge and postnasal-drip. Sinusitis with headache, facial pain, purulent discharge, is often a complication of rhinitis. Chronic rhinitis may be associated with puffy dark circles underneath the eyes. The triggers in Malaysia are house dust mites and pet dander. Sometime pollens may be involved but are the main seasonal triggers in the temperate regions causing hay-fever. Food allergens can also provoke the symptoms and complicate diagnosis.

Eyes: Allergic conjunctivitis is associated with itching, redness, swelling and tearing of the eye. The common triggers are house dust mites, pet dander, bird dropping and feathers and pollens. Foods may also be involved.

Lungs: Asthma symptoms are shortness of breath, wheezing, feeling of tightness in chest and cough. Frequent bronchial infections may be caused by allergy. Airborne allergens (such as, house dust mites, pet dander, bird feathers, perfumes) are the main triggers of IgE-mediated asthma but certain foods may worsen the condition. Some foods such as cows milk may trigger the asthmatic attack in sensitized children.

Skin: Hives (urticaria) are itchy welts of varying sizes that appear on the skin, lips, inside the mouth and ears. Sometimes there is swelling in the affected parts resulting in symptoms of angioedema. Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is an itchy rash that appears in the skin creases of the arm, leg and neck but may be present in all parts of the body. Foods often play an important role in the development of the condition. Airborne allergens like house dust mites may also participate in the condition. Lately it has been noted that some fungus species that are naturally present on the skin may also be responsible for the development of the skin symptoms.