If you have allergies, then you have probably experienced a runny nose, watery eyes, and sneezing. While these are some of the most common symptoms of an allergic reaction, there are other, less common symptoms. Here are some unusual symptoms of allergies and what you can do about them:
Back Pain
Back pain is often caused by injuries, arthritic conditions, disc problems, sciatica, and strains. Back pain can also be caused by allergies, however, this is not common. An allergic reaction can promote the release of histamines, which can trigger systemic inflammation.
When this happens, you may develop joint inflammation and back pain. Histamine release and systemic inflammation can also cause a worsening in common allergy symptoms such as itchy eyes, increased nasal secretions, skin irritation, and sneezing.
In addition to taking an over-the-counter analgesic to ease your back pain, consider taking a non-prescription antihistamine such as diphenhydramine. This will help block the release of histamine while dampening systemic inflammation. After systemic inflammation has been reduced, your back pain and allergy symptoms will probably resolve.
Parasthesias
Another unusual symptom of an allergy is facial parasthesias. This refers to burning, pricking, or pins and needles sensations in your face. Facial parasthesias can occur as a result of severe nasal congestion caused by an allergic reaction.
When your sinus cavity is congested, it can put pressure on the facial nerve which is one of your cranial nerves. When your facial nerve becomes inflamed as a result of sinus congestion, unusual sensations can develop in your cheek, lip, bridge of your nose, and chin.
While facial parasthesias often resolve once your allergies are under control, it may take weeks or even months before the sensations are completely gone. In some cases, taking B vitamins can help heal damaged nerves, however, talk to your doctor before taking them because taking large doses can cause side effects. If your abnormal facial sensations fail to resolve, your physician may refer you to a neurologist, a physician who specializes in the diagnoses and treatment of neurological disorders.
If you have allergies, make an appointment with an allergist for allergy testing. Your allergist may be able to determine which substances you are allergic to so that an effective treatment plan can be put into place. When your allergies are well-managed, you will be less likely to experience unusual symptoms of an allergic reaction such as systemic inflammation, muscle and back pain, and facial parasthesias.
Reach out to a center like Mid America Ear, Nose, & Throat Clinic PC to learn more.
Share28 November 2018
My name is Katie Langer. For a long time, I was bed ridden and I felt like I had no control over my life. I simply went along with what was instructed by my doctor and I didn't ask questions. It wasn't that my doctor wasn't willing to work with me, but I preferred to simply not think about the illness I was suffering from. I didn't realize that some of the symptoms I was suffering from were side effects of my medication and were not normal. After communicating more with my doctor, I was able to alleviate my symptoms. Since then, I've taken an interest in patient-doctor relationships and how to improve them.
