An allergy is an immune system response to a foreign substance that’s not typically harmful to your body. These foreign substances are called allergens. They can include certain foods, pollen, or pet dander.

Your immune system’s job is to keep you healthy by fighting harmful pathogens. It does this by attacking anything it thinks could put your body in danger. Depending on the allergen, this response may involve inflammation, sneezing, or a host of other symptoms.

Your immune system normally adjusts to your environment. For example, when your body encounters something like pet dander, it should realize it’s harmless. In people with dander allergies, the immune system perceives it as an outside invader threatening the body and attacks it.

Allergies are common. Several treatments can help you avoid your symptoms.

The symptoms you experience because of allergies are the result of several factors. These include the type of allergy you have and how severe the allergy is.

If you take any medication before an anticipated allergic response, you may still experience some of these symptoms, but they may be reduced.

For food allergies

Food allergies can trigger swelling, hives, nausea, fatigue, and more. It may take a while for a person to realize that they have a food allergy. If you have a serious reaction after a meal and you’re not sure why, see a medical professional immediately. They can find the exact cause of your reaction or refer you to a specialist.

For seasonal allergies

Hay fever symptoms can mimic those of a cold. They include congestion, runny nose, and swollen eyes. Most of the time, you can manage these symptoms at home using over-the-counter treatments. See your doctor if your symptoms become unmanageable.

For severe allergies

Severe allergies can cause anaphylaxis. This is a life-threatening emergency that can lead to breathing difficulties, lightheadedness, and loss of consciousness. If you’re experiencing these symptoms after coming in contact with a possible allergen, seek medical help immediately.

Everyone’s signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction are different. Read more about allergy symptoms and what might cause them.

Skin allergies may be a sign or symptom of an allergy. They may also be the direct result of exposure to an allergen.

For example, eating a food you’re allergic to can cause several symptoms. You may experience tingling in your mouth and throat. You may also develop a rash.

Contact dermatitis, however, is the result of your skin coming into direct contact with an allergen. This could happen if you touch something you’re allergic to, such as a cleaning product or plant.

Types of skin allergies include:

• Rashes. Areas of skin are irritated, red, or swollen, and can be painful or itchy.
• Eczema. Patches of skin become inflamed and can itch and bleed.
• Contact dermatitis. Red, itchy patches of skin develop almost immediately after contact with an allergen.
• Sore throat. Pharynx or throat is irritated or inflamed.
• Hives. Red, itchy, and raised welts of various sizes and shapes develop on the surface of the skin.
• Swollen eyes. Eyes may be watery or itchy and look “puffy.”
• Itching. There’s irritation or inflammation in the skin.
• Burning. Skin inflammation leads to discomfort and stinging sensations on the skin.

Rashes are one of the most common symptoms of a skin allergy. Find out how to identify rashes and how to treat them.

Researchers aren’t exactly sure why the immune system causes an allergic reaction when a normally harmless foreign substance enters the body.

Allergies have a genetic component. This means parents can pass them down to their children. However, only a general susceptibility to allergic reaction is genetic. Specific allergies aren’t passed down. For instance, if your mother is allergic to shellfish, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll be, too.

Common types of allergens include:

• Animal products. These include pet dander, dust mite waste, and cockroaches.
• Drugs. Penicillin and sulfa drugs are common triggers.
• Foods. Wheat, nuts, milk, shellfish, and egg allergies are common.
• Insect stings. These include bees, wasps, and mosquitoes.
• Mold. Airborne spores from mold can trigger a reaction.
• Plants. Pollens from grass, weeds, and trees, as well as resin from plants such as poison ivy and poison oak, are very common plant allergens.
• Other allergens. Latex, often found in latex gloves and condoms, and metals like nickel are also common allergens.

Seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever, are some of the most common allergies. These are caused by pollen released by plants. They cause:

• itchy eyes
• watery eyes
• runny nose
• coughing

Food allergies are becoming more common. Find out about the most common types of food allergies and the symptoms they cause.

The best way to avoid allergies is to stay away from whatever triggers the reaction. If that’s not possible, there are treatment options available.

Medication

Allergy treatment often includes medications like antihistamines to control symptoms. The medication can be over the counter or prescription. What your doctor recommends depends on the severity of your allergies.

Allergy medications include:

• antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
• corticosteroids
• cetirizine (Zyrtec)
• loratadine (Claritin)
• cromolyn sodium (Gastrocrom)
• decongestants (Afrin, Suphedrine PE, Sudafed)
• leukotriene modifiers (Singulair, Zyflo)

Singulair should only be prescribed if there are no other suitable treatment options. This is because it increases your risk of serious behavioral and mood changes, such as suicidal thoughts and actions.

Immunotherapy

Many people opt for immunotherapy. This involves several injections over the course of a few years to help the body get used to your allergy. Successful immunotherapy can prevent allergy symptoms from returning.

Emergency epinephrine

If you have a severe, life-threatening allergy, carry an emergency epinephrine shot. The shot counters allergic reactions until medical help arrives. Common brands of this treatment include EpiPen and Twinject.

Some allergic responses are a medical emergency. Prepare for these emergency situations by knowing allergic reaction first aid.

Many natural remedies and supplements are marketed as a treatment and even a way to prevent allergies. Discuss these with your doctor before trying them. Some natural treatments may actually contain other allergens and make your symptoms worse.

For example, some dried teas use flowers and plants that are closely related to plants that might be causing you serious sneezing. The same is true for essential oils. Some people use these oils to relieve common symptoms of allergies, but essential oils still contain ingredients that can cause allergies.

Each type of allergy has a host of natural remedies that may help speed up recovery. There are also natural options for children’s allergies, too.

Your doctor can diagnose allergies in several ways.

First, your doctor will ask about your symptoms and perform a physical exam. They’ll ask about anything unusual you may have eaten recently and any substances you may have come in contact with. For example, if you have a rash on your hands, your doctor may ask if you put on latex gloves recently.

Lastly, a blood test and skin test can confirm or diagnose allergens your doctor suspects you have.

Your doctor may order a blood test. Your blood will be tested for the presence of allergy-causing antibodies called immunoglobulin E (IgE). These are cells that react to allergens. Your doctor will use a blood test to confirm a diagnosis if they’re worried about the potential for a severe allergic reaction.

Skin test

Your doctor may also refer you to an allergist for testing and treatment. A skin test is a common type of allergy test carried out by an allergist.

During this test, your skin is pricked or scratched with small needles containing potential allergens. Your skin’s reaction is documented. If you’re allergic to a particular substance, your skin will become red and inflamed.

Different tests may be needed to diagnose all your potential allergies. Start here to get a better understanding of how allergy testing works.

There’s no way to prevent allergies. But there are ways to prevent the symptoms from occurring. The best way to prevent allergy symptoms is to avoid the allergens that trigger them.

Avoidance is the most effective way to prevent food allergy symptoms. An elimination diet can help you determine the cause of your allergies so you know how to avoid them. To help you avoid food allergens, thoroughly read food labels and ask questions while dining out.

Preventing seasonal, contact, and other allergies comes down to knowing where the allergens are located and how to avoid them. If you’re allergic to dust, for example, you can help reduce symptoms by installing proper air filters in your home, getting your air ducts professionally cleaned, and dusting your home regularly.

Proper allergy testing can help you pinpoint your exact triggers, which makes them easier to avoid. These other tips can also help you avoid dangerous allergic reactions.

While you may think of allergies as those pesky sniffles and sneezes that come around every new season, some of these allergic reactions can actually be life-threatening.

Anaphylaxis, for example, is a serious reaction to the exposure of allergens. Most people associate anaphylaxis with food, but any allergen can cause the telltale signs:

• suddenly narrowed airways
• increased heart rate
• possible swelling of the tongue and mouth

Allergy symptoms can create many complications. Your doctor can help determine the cause of your symptoms as well as the difference between a sensitivity and a full-blown allergy. Your doctor can also teach you how to manage your allergy symptoms so that you can avoid the worst complications.

Asthma is a common respiratory condition. It makes breathing more difficult and can narrow the air passageways in your lungs.

Asthma is closely related to allergies. Indeed, allergies can make existing asthma worse. It can also trigger asthma in a person who’s never had the condition.

When these conditions occur together, it’s a condition called allergy-induced asthma, or allergic asthma. Allergic asthma affects about 60 percent of people who have asthma in the United States, estimates the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America.

Many people with allergies may develop asthma. Here’s how to recognize if it happens to you.

Runny nose, sneezing, and coughing are common symptoms of allergies. They also happen to be common symptoms of a cold and a sinus infection. Indeed, deciphering between the sometimes-generic symptoms can be difficult.

However, additional signs and symptoms of the conditions may help you distinguish between the three. For example, allergies can cause rashes on your skin and itchy eyes. The common cold can lead to body aches, even fever. A sinus infection typically produces thick, yellow discharge from your nose.

Allergies can impact your immune system for prolonged periods of time. When the immune system is compromised, it makes you more likely to pick up viruses you come into contact with. This includes the virus that causes the common cold.

In turn, having allergies actually increases your risk for having more colds. Identify the differences between the two common conditions with this helpful chart.

Hay fever can produce symptoms that include sneezing, coughing, and a persistent, stubborn cough. It’s the result of your body’s overreaction to allergens. It isn’t contagious, but it can be miserable.

Unlike a chronic cough, a cough caused by allergies and hay fever is temporary. You may only experience the symptoms of this seasonal allergy during specific times of the year, when plants are first blooming.

Additionally, seasonal allergies can trigger asthma, and asthma can cause coughing. When a person with common seasonal allergies is exposed to an allergen, tightening airways can lead to a cough. Shortness of breath and chest tightening may also occur. Find out why hay fever coughs are typically worse at night and what you can do to ease them.

Viruses or bacteria can cause bronchitis, or it can be the result of allergies. The first type, acute bronchitis, typically ends after several days or weeks. Chronic bronchitis, however, can linger for months, possibly longer. It may also return frequently.

Exposure to common allergens is the most common cause of chronic bronchitis. These allergens include:

• cigarette smoke
• air pollution
• dust
• pollen
• chemical fumes

Unlike seasonal allergies, many of these allergens linger in environments like houses or offices. That can make chronic bronchitis more persistent and more likely to return.

A cough is the only common symptom between chronic and acute bronchitis. Learn the other symptoms of bronchitis so you can understand more clearly what you may have.

Skin allergies are more common in younger children today than they were just a few decades ago. However, skin allergies decrease as children grow older. Respiratory and food allergies become more common as children get older.

Common skin allergies on babies include:

• Eczema. This is an inflammatory skin condition that causes red rashes that itch. These rashes may develop slowly but be persistent.
• Allergic contact dermatitis. This type of skin allergy appears quickly, often immediately after your baby comes into contact with the irritant. More serious contact dermatitis can develop into painful blisters and cause skin cracking.
• Hives. Hives are red bumps or raised areas of skin that develop after exposure to an allergen. They don’t become scaly and crack, but itching the hives may make the skin bleed.

Unusual rashes or hives on your baby’s body may alarm you. Understanding the difference in the type of skin allergies babies commonly experience can help you find a better treatment.

Allergies are common and don’t have life-threatening consequences for most people. People who are at risk of anaphylaxis can learn how to manage their allergies and what to do in an emergency situation.

Most allergies are manageable with avoidance, medications, and lifestyle changes. Working with your doctor or allergist can help reduce any major complications and make life more enjoyable.

Drinking water, hot or cold, keeps your body healthy and hydrated.

Some people claim that hot water specifically can help improve digestion, relieve congestion, and even promote relaxation, compared with drinking cold water.

Most health benefits of hot water are based on anecdotal reports, as there’s little scientific research in this area. That said, many people feel benefits from this remedy, especially first thing in the morning or right before bed.

When drinking hot beverages, research recommends an optimal temperature of between 130 and 160°F (54 and 71°C). Temperatures above this can cause burns or scalds.

For an extra health boost and some vitamin C, try adding a twist of lemon to hot water to make lemon water.

This article looks at 10 ways that drinking hot water may benefit you.

A cup of hot water creates steam. Holding a cup of hot water and taking a deep inhale of this gentle vapor may help loosen clogged sinuses and even relieve a sinus headache.

Since you have mucous membranes throughout your sinuses and throat, drinking hot water may help warm that area and soothe a sore throat caused by mucus buildup.

According to an older 2008 study, a hot drink, such as tea, provided quick, lasting relief from a runny nose, coughing, sore throat, and tiredness. The hot drink was more effective than the same drink at room temperature.

Drinking water helps to keep the digestive system moving. As the water moves through your stomach and intestines, the body is better able to eliminate waste.

Some believe that drinking hot water is especially effective for activating the digestive system.

The theory is that hot water can also dissolve and dissipate the food you’ve eaten that your body might have had trouble digesting.

More research is needed to prove this benefit, though a 2016 study showed that warm water may have favorable effects on intestinal movements and gas expulsion after surgery.

In the meantime, if you feel like drinking hot water helps aid your digestion, there is no harm in using this as a remedy.

Not getting enough water, hot or cold, can have negative effects on your nervous system functioning, ultimately affecting mood and brain function.

Research from 2019 has shown that drinking water can improve central nervous system activity, as well as mood.

This research showed that drinking water boosted participants’ brain activity during demanding activities and also reduced their self-reported anxiety.

Dehydration is a common cause of constipation. In many cases, drinking water is an effective way to relieve and prevent constipation. Staying hydrated helps soften stool and makes it easier to pass.

Drinking hot water regularly may help keep your bowel movements regular.

Although some evidence shows that cool water is best for rehydration, drinking water at any temperature will help keep you hydrated

The Institute of Medicine recommends that women get 78 ounces (2.3 liters) of water each day and that men get 112 ounces (3.3 liters) daily. Those figures include water from food like fruits, veggies, and anything that melts.

You also need much more water if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, engaging in strenuous activity, or working in a hot environment.

Try starting the day with a serving of hot water and ending it with another. Your body needs water to perform basically every essential function, so the value of that can’t be overstated.

How much water should you drink each day? Read more here.

A 2017 study found that while the body’s natural response in cold conditions is to shiver, drinking warm fluids can help reduce shivering.

Subjects wore suits circulated with water that was a bit above freezing, then drank water at a variety of temperatures, including up to 126°F (52°C).

Researchers found that drinking the hot water quickly helped the subjects put less work into maintaining their body temperature. That could be handy, the study notes, for people working or exercising in cold conditions.

Healthy blood flow affects everything from your blood pressure to your risk of cardiovascular disease.

Taking a warm bath helps your circulatory organs — your arteries and veins — expand and carry blood more effectively throughout your body.

Drinking hot water may have a similar effect. However, there’s little research that this is effective.

As a bonus, warmth from drinking hot water or bathing at nighttime may help relax you and prepare you for restful sleep.

Since drinking hot water helps improve central nervous system functions, you might end up feeling less anxious if you drink it.

According to a 2014 study, drinking less water resulted in reduced feelings of calmness, satisfaction, and positive emotions.

Staying hydrated may therefore improve your mood and relaxation levels.

While there’s no definitive evidence hot water has a specific benefit in this regard, a 2020 study found drinking more water can help protect the kidneys while diluting waste materials in the blood.

And according to the Arthritis Foundation, drinking water is important for flushing out your body. It can also help fight inflammation, keep the joints well lubricated, and prevent gout.

Achalasia is a condition during which your esophagus has trouble moving food down into your stomach.

People with achalasia have trouble swallowing. They may feel as though foods get stuck in their esophagus instead of moving to the stomach. This is called dysphagia.

Researchers aren’t sure why, but an older 2012 study found drinking warm water may help people with achalasia digest more comfortably.

Drinking water that’s too hot can damage the tissue in your esophagus, burn your taste buds, and scald your tongue. Be very careful when drinking hot water. Drinking cool, not hot, water is best for rehydration.

Generally, though, drinking hot water has no harmful effects and is safe to use as a remedy.

While there’s little direct research into the benefits of hot versus cold water, drinking hot water is considered safe, and can be a good way to make sure you stay hydrated throughout the day.

Getting into the habit of drinking hot water is easy. Try starting your day with a cup of boiled water, left to cool for a while. If you’re not a tea or coffee drinker, try hot water with lemon.

Add a light session of stretching to your routine, and you’ll feel more energized and better equipped to tackle the day.

If the taste of warm water doesn’t appeal to you, add a twist of citrus — like lemon or lime — to the beverage before you drink it.

Drinking warm water before bed is a great way to wind down after a busy day. Knowing about the health benefits will have you sleeping soundly.

There’s no cure yet for the common cold, but you may be able to shorten the amount of time you’re sick by trying some promising supplements and practicing good self-care.

Stroll the aisles of any drugstore and you’ll see an impressive range of products claiming to shorten the length of your cold. Few of them are backed by solid science. Here’s a list of remedies known to make a difference in how long colds last:

Taking a vitamin C supplement isn’t likely to prevent a cold. However, studies show that it may reduce the duration of colds. A 2013 review of studies noted that regular supplementation (1 to 2 grams daily) reduced the duration of a cold in adults by 8 percent and in children by 14 percent. It also reduced the severity of colds overall.

The recommended daily dose of vitamin C is 90 milligrams for men and 75 mg for non-pregnant women. Doses on the upper limit (2000 mg) can cause some side effects, so taking higher doses for any duration comes with this risk.

Shop for vitamin C.

Here’s the key: Don’t wait until you feel the symptoms coming on: Take the recommended dose every day. Taking vitamin C when a cold starts may not have much effect on how you feel or how long the cold hangs on.

Close to three decades of research on colds and zinc have yielded mixed results, but a 2017 review of studies indicated that zinc lozenges may help you get over a cold faster than you would without it. On average, the length of cold duration was cut down by 33 percent, which could mean at least a couple days sooner of relief.

It’s important to note that the dosages in these studies, 80 to 92 mg a day, are much higher than the daily maximum recommended by the National Institutes of Health. The 2017 review points out, though, that doses of up to 150 mg of zinc per day are routinely taken for months in certain conditions with few side effects.

Shop for zinc.

If you’re taking antibiotics, penicillamine (Cuprimine) for arthritis, or certain diuretics, talk to your doctor before taking zinc. The combination could reduce the effectiveness of your medications or the zinc.

Reviews of studies in 2014 and 2018 suggest that taking echinacea may prevent or shorten a cold. The herbal supplement, made from the purple coneflower, is available in tablets, teas, and extracts.

A 2012 study that showed positive benefits of echinacea for colds had participants taking 2400 mg daily over four months. Some people who take echinacea report unwanted side effects, such as nausea and diarrhea. Talk to your doctor before trying echinacea to confirm it won’t interfere with any other medicines or supplements you’re taking.

Shop for echinacea.

Black elderberry is a traditional remedy used to fight colds in many parts of the world. Although research is limited, at least one older study showed elderberry syrup shortened the length of colds in people with flu-like symptoms by an average of four days.

A more recent 2016 placebo-controlled, double-blind study of 312 plane travelers showed that who took elderberry supplements had a significant reduction of cold duration and severity versus those who took a placebo.

Shop for elderberry syrup.

Elderberry syrup is cooked and concentrated. Don’t confuse it with raw elderberries, seeds, and bark, which can be toxic.

A 2019 study tracked 76 students who were at risk for catching colds during a stressful final exam period. Those who drank a small amount of beetroot juice seven times a day showed fewer cold symptoms than those who had not. In the study, the remedy was especially helpful for students with asthma.

Because beetroot juice is high in dietary nitrate, it increases the body’s production of nitric oxide, which can help protect you against respiratory infections.

Shop for beetroot juice.

If you’re prone to kidney stones, watch out for beetroot, which contains oxalates. These are known to contribute to kidney stone formation.

Although studies on probiotics and colds are limited, at least one study suggests that drinking a probiotic drink that contains Lactobacillus, L. casei 431, can reduce the duration of a cold, especially in regard to respiratory symptoms.

Probiotic bacteria vary from product to product, so check the label to know which one you’re buying.

Shop for probiotic drinks.

If your child is having trouble getting good sleep to beat a cold, try honey, one of the most relied-on remedies for treating cold symptoms. A 2012 study showed that a spoonful of honey at bedtime can help kids sleep better and reduce nighttime coughing. It can also help soothe a sore throat.

Cold symptoms like coughing, sneezing, runny nose, congestion, sore throat, and headache can make it hard to function during the day and hard to rest at night.

Decongestants, pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, cough suppressants, and antihistamines can treat symptoms so you feel better faster, even if the viral infection lingers. Check with a pediatrician before giving your child any over-the-counter medicine.

Shop for ibuprofen and acetaminophen.

Shop for decongestants.

Shop for antihistamines.

Drinking plenty of fluids is always good when you’re trying to get rid of a cold. Hot tea, water, chicken soup, and other liquids will keep you hydrated, especially if you have a fever. They can also loosen congestion in your chest and nasal passages so you can breathe.

Avoid caffeine and alcohol, though, because they can leave you dehydrated, and they can interfere with the sleep and rest you need for recovery.

When to go to the doctor

Colds that don’t go away quickly can lead to other illnesses like pneumonia, lung infections, ear infections, and sinus infections. See your doctor if :

• your symptoms last longer than 10 days
• you have a fever over 101.3°F (38.5°C)
• you begin vomiting violently
• your sinuses ache
• your cough begins to sound like a wheeze
• you feel pain in your chest
• you have trouble breathing

At the first sign of a cold, most of us want to make sure the sniffles, sneezing, and other symptoms go away as quickly as possible.

If you take vitamin C regularly, your cold symptoms may disappear earlier. And there is some scientific support for trying remedies like zinc, echinacea, elderberry preparations, beetroot juice, and probiotic drinks to prevent or shorten the duration of a cold.

The best way to beat a cold fast is to rest, drink lots of fluids, and treat the symptoms with medicines that relieve pain, coughing, and congestion.