Should I See a Doctor?

See Doctor If:

your symptoms occur at the same time every year or seem to last year-round
your symptoms last only as long as you are exposed to a particular substance
your symptoms occur only when you are at work or school
you have any respiratory illness that lasts longer than a week or 2

You need emergency help at once if you have any of the following symptoms after being exposed to a substance you might be allergic to:

wheezing or difficulty breathing
swelling of the lips, tongue, or mouth
chest pain and tightness
shock or sudden loss of consciousness
hives, itchy skin, or joint swelling
widespread, intense skin redness
nausea, vomiting, or abdominal cramps

Waiting for your allergies to go away probably won't help. Most allergies get worse rather than better without proper diagnosis and treatment, and treatment can help you feel better.

Some people avoid treating allergies. One reason is they fear medication will make them sleepy. Your doctor, though, can recommend prescription medications that can help control your allergy symptoms without making you sleepy. Another option is allergy shots, called immunotherapy. These shots can be effective for 9 out of every 10 people with seasonal allergies and for 70% to 80% of those who have year-round, or perennial, allergies.