Many people go through life with sniffles, aches and pains they don’t understand. There doesn’t seem to be an infection, so what’s going on?
Usually, the problem is an autoimmune issue. These occur when the body’s immune system attacks its own cells, producing all sorts of nasty side effects, like inflammation.
But how do you know if this applies to you? That’s where this post can help. It runs through some of the common signs you might have an autoimmune condition so you know whether you should see an allergy doctor.
Dryness
It’s okay to have the occasional skin dryness, especially if you’re living in a cold, low-humidity climate. But if you notice it persisting over longer periods, it could indicate an auto-immune issue.
Dryness is actually a symptom of Sjogren’s syndrome. But it can be something easier to treat, like eczema.
As a rule of thumb, if the dryness lasts more than two months, go and see a doctor. Get them to evaluate your skin and see what’s causing the underlying problem. Usually, they can tell you there and then, but they might need to do some tests.
Brain Fog
Brain fog is another sign there might be an autoimmune condition present. People who have trouble concentrating often have higher brain levels of inflammation, which is a sign the immune system thinks there’s a threat that isn’t there.
This so-called hypervigilance can occur for numerous reasons, including lupus and fibromyalgia. So a more in-depth consultation is often necessary with an expert.
Numbness And Tingling
People don’t usually associate numbness and tingling with autoimmune disease. But pins and needles sensations in the hands and feet are sometimes a sign of developing conditions.
Unfortunately, if these symptoms are the result of an autoimmune condition, the underlying disease process can be serious. Therefore, it’s essential to get treatment as early as possible. In some cases, it is possible to prevent the disease from progressing further.
Swollen Glands
Swollen glands are another unusual sign of an autoimmune condition. The more raised they feel, the more likely there is some sort of condition present.
Swollen glands, though, are also a telltale sign of infection, which is one of the reasons many doctors actually wind up missing the signs of an autoimmune problem. Often, it seems like your body is simply fighting off an infection.
Swollen glands can also result from a lack of immunity (or immunocompromised). This occurs when it can’t do its job and infections become more widespread.
Recurring Fevers
Recurring fevers are another unusual sign of an allergy. These occur when your body thinks it needs to raise your core temperature to fight off a virus even when it doesn’t.
Mainly, fevers indicate a confused immune system. Sometimes, it believes it needs to fight tissues already in the body, and other times it doesn’t. Many patients find that they go through cycles, experiencing fevers and night sweats but not getting any other symptoms typically associated with infections, like swelling, pain, and respiratory complaints.
Hair Loss
Believe it or not, hair loss is also a sign of autoimmune disease. If hair suddenly starts falling out for no reason or in patches, it usually means that a condition like lupus or alopecia aerate is present.
These conditions can be distressing (since no one wants to lose their hair!) But they are also reversible with the right treatment.
Digestive Issues
Interestingly, most of the body’s immune system is in the gut. So if you have digestive problems, that’s often the first place to start looking.
Digestive issues can take all sorts of forms. For many people, the problem is bloating. Sometimes, you feel so full of gas that a pin-prick could cause you to burst.
Other times, the issue is loose bowel movements, cramps, or not being able to go to the bathroom at all.
These issues can be improved with diet. But if they don’t go away, autoimmune problems are the most likely culprit. When immune cells start attacking the gut or creating unnecessary inflammation, it leads to all sorts of additional issues that can be challenging to tackle by yourself.
Other Skin Problems
Sometimes, autoimmune conditions can cause other skin problems (alongside dryness). These include things like butterfly rash on the cheeks and scleroderma.
These problems emerge because the skin is often a reflection of processes already occurring inside the body. When there is inflammation, it regularly shows up (on the face unfortunately) but also on other parts of the body, allowing doctors to diagnose issues pretty quickly.
