Allergies

Symptoms of an allergic reactionusually develop within a few minutes of being exposed to something you're allergic to, although occasionally they can develop gradually over a few hours.

Althoughallergic reactionscan be a nuisance and hamper your normal activities, most are mild. Very occasionally, a severe reaction called Anaphylaxis can occur.

Mainallergy symptoms

Common symptoms of an allergic reaction include:

• 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 )
• swollenlips, tongue, eyesor face
• tummy pain , feeling sick, vomiting or diarrhoea
• dry, red and cracked skin

The symptoms vary depending on what you're allergic to and how you come into contact with it. For example, youmayhave a runny noseif exposed to pollen, developa rash if you have a skin allergy, or feel sickif you eat something you're allergic to.

See your GP if you or your child might have had an allergicreaction to something. They can help determine whether the symptoms are caused by an allergy or another condition. for information about what to do if it occurs.