Are you so used to the various signs and symptoms you get during an allergy that you now consider them as a part of your daily living? It’s a good idea for you to seek the help of an allergist if you haven’t done so yet. Doing so allows you to have a clearer idea on what’s causing your allergy, and also get the right treatment for it.

If you are always seen having red eyes, runny nose, sneezing and scratching, this article is for you. Below you will come across some of the telltale signs that it’s time for you to consider visiting the nearest allergist, a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing as well as treating allergies.

You No Longer Enjoy a Normal Life

Do you avoid going to the movies or a church because you are afraid that you will only grab everyone’s attention due to the incessant sneezing or coughing you are experiencing? Clearly, your allergy is keeping you from leading a normal life — you are making big compromises because you don’t want to get embarrassed.

You Often Find Yourself Winded

Having an allergy can make your chest feel tight and leave you short of breath. Engaging in physical activities can make everything worse, and that’s why you often take the elevator rather than use the stairs, or stay at home instead of being with your friends at the mall or beach. Seeing an allergist can help in managing shortness of breath.

You Skip Working Out

Because you are having breathing issues during or after a physical activity, you no longer exercise regularly. According to experts, brisk walking, riding a bicycle, swimming and other forms of mild exercise can actually help reduce allergy symptoms, and also strengthen the immune system to lower the risk of allergy attacks.

You Regularly Suffer From Asthma Attacks

Were you once diagnosed with asthma and also given medications for it, but still you are regularly having asthma attacks? It’s a good idea for you to seek the help of an allergist because, clearly, your prescribed medications aren’t helping. By consulting an allergist, the root cause of your asthma attacks can be identified easily.

Your Antihistamines No Longer Deliver

Every allergy sufferer has a go-to OTC medication. But if the pill you pop in your mouth during a bout of allergy no longer seems to provide you with relief, it’s high time that you pay an allergist’s office a visit. He or she can recommend medications that will work so much better for you than those that are available over the counter.

Your Medications are Causing More Problems

It’s also a sign for you to switch from OTC medications to medications that an allergist prescribes if the ones you are taking whenever you have an allergy attack seem to leave you with unfavorable symptoms. Rather than lend a hand, they seem to give you more problems which you usually attempt to resolve by taking more medications.

You are Not Getting a Good Night’s Sleep

Do you sneeze or cough a lot of times in bed? Then it’s not unlikely for you to fail to get a good night’s sleep. It’s actually a vicious cycle — lack of sleep due to your allergy symptoms can weaken your immune system, and a weakened immune system can aggravate your allergy symptoms. Evidently, it can be easy for your problem to go downhill!

If clearly you have many of the above mentioned signs, consider going to an allergist as soon as you can. To find the best one, you may ask the recommendations of your family and friends, especially those who have allergies themselves. A family doctor can also point you to the right direction.