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Common symptoms of allergies include a runny nose, sneezing, and watery eyes. Allergies, including hay fever (allergic rhinitis), do not cause a fever. If a fever does occur, the most common cause is sinusitis or a sinus infection. Allergies Symptoms Allergy symptoms depend on the trigger, or allergen. Your body produces a chemical known as histamine, which is responsible for the reactions you experience. Symptoms of allergies can include: Sneezing Runny nose Itchy eyes Headache Sore throat Wheezing Coughing Fatigue Nausea and diarrhea (can occur in some food allergies) Skin rash Hay Fever Symptoms Hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis, is caused by an allergic reaction to allergens like pollen, mold, dust mites, and furs and feathers from animals....

One of the more uncomfortable and unpleasant symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) is constipation. Studies suggest that at least 50% of people living with MS experience constipation and that 25% have recurrent bouts. While constipation can affect anyone, the underlying causes can be different in people with MS. Not only is constipation more likely to be persistent or recurrent, but it can often be very painful. This article takes a look at the causes of constipation in people with MS, as well as the ways that this common but frustrating symptom can be treated or prevented....

A contrast dye reaction can occur after a diagnostic imaging test. Contrast dye is a substance that’s given through a vein to get a better view of internal structures during medical imaging scans. Most of these reactions occur within an hour of receiving contrast dye and many occur within the first five minutes. However, there can sometimes be delayed reactions that occur up to a week later. The symptoms can include serious allergic-like symptoms, such as skin reactions or trouble breathing....

Eggplant is a plant in the nightshade family, also known as the Solanaceae family. Though botanically a fruit, eggplants are commonly eaten as a vegetable in savory dishes. They are used in many cuisines around the world and often touted for their versatility, especially as a meat replacement. An exceedingly small number of people may develop an eggplant allergy. Though this allergy is very rare, it can result in discomfort and even serious full-body reactions in severe cases....

Fear of gaining weight is also called obesophobia, or pocrescophobia. It’s considered to be a specific phobia, which is a type of anxiety disorder. Having obesophobia means a person has an abnormal, irrational fear of gaining weight or becoming obese. If left untreated, obesophobia can negatively impact personal relationships and manifest into an eating disorder. This article will explain the symptoms and causes of obesophobia and discuss the different treatment options available....

Treatments for fibromyalgia are focused on easing symptoms; there is no cure. Because no two cases of fibromyalgia are alike, treatment plans must be multi-faceted and tailored to the types and severity of symptoms you are experiencing. Fibromyalgia is a painful condition. Treatments may involve over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription drugs, physical and supportive therapies, stress reduction, lifestyle changes, and complementary treatments that can reduce your pain and restore your quality of life....

If you have multiple allergies or have experienced an allergic reaction to a medication or vaccine in the past, you might be wondering if you can safely receive a COVID-19 vaccine and if so, which one you should get. Key Takeaways Severe allergic reactions to the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (including Pfizer and Moderna) are rare, but research has shown that they are different from other classic food and drug allergies.Most people with multiple existing allergies can safely receive the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, but to be on the safe side, they should discuss their options with an allergy specialist beforehand....

Finding head lice can often lead to anxiety and worry, and—if it’s your child that’s affected—maybe even guilt. You can take steps to cope with these emotions and make treatment as non-stressful as possible for your family while doing all you can to keep lice from spreading. Explore positive ways to get through this episode. Emotional While some people may take the news of lice in stride, others may become anxious or upset by it....

It was May 15 when Emily Schmitz’s 78-year-old father was first admitted to the hospital for small bowel obstruction surgery. Despite her father testing negative for COVID-19, Schmitz says she and her siblings were not permitted to see him due to the hospital’s strict visitation policies. Key Takeaways: Schmitz, who owns a communications agency in Austin, Texas, tells Verywell that initially, her father was doing well, but he quickly deteriorated—showing signs of confusion—which concerned her and her siblings....

If you’ve been bitten by an animal suspected to have rabies, a test may be done on the animal to diagnose rabies. You should also call the local animal control authorities to safely capture a wild or potentially rabid animal. Testing the Animal According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), bats, skunks, raccoons, and foxes that bite humans should be euthanized and tested as soon as possible....

Medicare does not cover everything, and that could leave you with a lot of out-of-pocket expenses. That is when a Medicare Advanced Beneficiary Note of Non-coverage (ABN) Form CMS-R-131 can come in handy. This form is used for people on traditional Medicare (Part A and Part B) but not for people on Medicare Advantage plans (Part C). The ABN may help you win a Medicare appeal and avoid unnecessary billing. This is what every Medicare beneficiary needs to know....

Iron overload is an excess storage of iron in the body. It can occur for a few different reasons. Primary iron overload is caused by hemochromatosis, an inherited condition. But it may also develop secondary to multiple blood transfusions, which may be needed by those with types of blood cancer. Iron overload can damage the heart, liver, and other organs if untreated. Symptoms In 75% of the cases, a person with iron overload will have no symptoms, although feelings of fatigue may begin early in the course of the condition....

The idea of taking a “mental health day” has exploded in popularity in recent years. Now, jobs and schools are increasingly incorporating them into their policies. Key Takeaways More jobs and schools are normalizing the idea of taking a “mental health day.“Policy-sanctioned mental health days could, in the long run, impact society for the better—but they cannot replace other types of mental health support.To optimize your mental health day, do what helps you feel rejuvenated....

LED (light-emitting diode) therapy is a type of treatment that uses lights of different wavelengths to treat a variety of skin conditions, such as acne, scar tissue, and the effects of aging. Most commonly, red and blue lights are used for these treatments. Light therapy can be performed in a healthcare provider’s office or at home. Multiple treatments are required to get results. This article discusses types of LED light therapy, how it works, and how it is performed, as well as risks, safety, and potential side effects of this treatment....

To most people, I don’t look like a typical person who gets diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer—but it happened to me. This article is part of Breast Cancer and Black Women, a destination in our Health Divide series. Meet the Author Len received his undergraduate and graduate education from the City University of New York, and his postgraduate education at Columbia University. He currently teaches high school music for the New York City Department of Education in Brooklyn....

Depression is a common and serious mood disorder that impacts the way an individual feels, thinks, and acts on a daily basis. It also goes by the name major depressive disorder (MDD), or clinical depression. Someone who is depressed may experience a lack of interest and excitement in everyday activities that they once enjoyed, and the overall emotional toll that depression can take on a person’s wellbeing can lead to emotional, physical, and mental issues that can impact nearly every facet of their life....

For many people with psoriasis, fall and winter bring about cold temperatures and worsening psoriasis symptoms. These two seasons—due to weather conditions, reduced daylight hours, and the fact that they coincidence with three widely celebrated holidays—are known for triggering disease symptoms and requiring stronger treatments. According a study reported in 2015 in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, most people with psoriasis have clearer skin in the summer months and during the winter months, they tend to experience moderate to severe symptoms....

Although multiple sclerosis (MS) and muscular dystrophy (MD) are both debilitating diseases that may seem similar, they are quite different in their cause, the way they affect the body, and how they are treated. Multiple sclerosis is an immune-mediated disease (an autoimmune disease) that affects the central nervous system (CNS)—the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. The immune system causes inflammation that damages myelin (a fatty substance that covers the nerves) and the nerves themselves....

If you’ve been diagnosed with osteopenia (low bone density) your healthcare provider may have recommended treatment. What medication options are available if you don’t yet have “full blown” osteoporosis, and when is it advantageous to consider treatment? Osteopenia: Low Bone Density Osteopenia means low bone density, but what exactly does this mean? It’s easiest to understand osteopenia when we compare it to both normal bone density and osteoporosis (very low bone density)....

Ovarian pain is felt in the lower abdomen, pelvis, and lower back. It may be persistent, come and go, be dull, or progress to sharp bursts of pain. Perimenopause is the time leading up to menopause. Menopause is when a person has no longer had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months. During perimenopause, ovarian pain may originate from the reproductive system. For example, the cause could be pregnancy, ovulation, menstruation (period), endometriosis, ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)....