Watery eyes, strange coughs and runny noses can give you the thought that you've caught the bacterial "bug" going around or a common cold. However, plants, foods and even pets could be the true source of those symptoms; it's possible that you're experiencing an allergic reaction to something you're unaware of. If that's happening, what's the appropriate next action?
1-Keep a Journal
If you don't get scratch tests or they don't turn up anything specific, try noting when you feel most ill or have the most sneezes and symptoms. Is it when you go to a new romantic partner's home? Do symptoms disappear outside the house? Have you made deodorant or air freshener changes? Have you recently brought home a new pet? Do certain seasons seem to make you feel worse? Making notes about feeling sick could pinpoint the problem for you.
2-See a Doctor
Your symptoms may feel so mild that you don't want to go through the trouble of seeing professionals about it. You may be willing to just sneeze or cough for days because you think it will eventually pass. However, if you do have a cold as you believe, ignoring the symptoms could worsen the situation and it could become a sinus, ear or throat infection. If you're allergic to something, you're needlessly suffering, when a proper diagnosis will guide treatment. Therefore, if your watery eyes seem to come and go or the cough persists for more than an entire week, get to a general practitioner who can provide a real answer.
Allergy testing could be smart. Skin scratch tests can often provide definite proof that you're allergic to cats, mold or other substances. Such tests will involve applying certain chemicals to your skin to watch for a reaction; if no changes exist, no allergies are present. While time-consuming, being able to isolate specific allergens could provide relief when determining the changes necessary to feel comfortable.
3-Comply with Treatment
If it's believed that you do have particular allergies, treatment plans will be made. You may get away with over-the-counter antihistamines or decongestants, but it's possible that more serious measures are needed. You could be eligible for an anti-allergy injection at the beginning of spring, for example. The doctor could recommend special injection pens be carried to prevent severe reactions.
Discovering you're allergic to one or many things can be relieving. Your symptoms could fade as you learn more about your allergies and mitigate your responses and behaviors. Your physician can tell you much more.
