Many people experience allergy symptoms, particularly during certain times of the year. It isn't always necessary to see a doctor for your allergies, particularly if your symptoms are mild or if you are able to control them with over-the-counter medication. However, in some situations, it can make sense to see an immunology physician or other doctor who is knowledgeable about allergies. These are a few signs that you should see a doctor about your symptoms.

1. You Experience Symptoms for Most of the Year

It's not uncommon to experience allergy symptoms when there is a lot of pollen during the springtime. If you find that you suffer from allergy symptoms for a good part of the year, even when others don't seem to be complaining about their own allergy symptoms, then you may want to see a physician to find out more about your treatment options.

2. Over-the-Counter Medication Doesn't Work

If you are like many allergy sufferers, there is a chance that you have tried multiple different over-the-counter medications to help you manage your symptoms. If you have done so and don't seem to get any relief from any type of over-the-counter medication, it might be time to see a doctor so that you can try a good prescription medication. This is also a good option if you have tried over-the-counter medication and have found it to work but have experienced bad side effects, such as severe drowsiness.

3. You Have Trouble Breathing

Allergy symptoms can definitely make a person uncomfortable, but they shouldn't be life-threatening. If you have found that your own allergies make it difficult for you to breathe, it is essential to seek medical attention as soon as possible. You might have asthma or another serious, life-threatening condition, and if so, it is very important to get necessary medical care.

4. Your Allergies are Making Day-to-Day Life Difficult

Your average allergy sufferer can experience some pretty uncomfortable side effects, but in general, allergies should not affect your day-to-day life. If you find yourself calling in sick to work or skipping social activities because of the severity of your allergy symptoms, it might be time to see a doctor.

As you can see, in some cases, you shouldn't just ignore or "live with" your allergies. If any of these four things apply to you, you may just want to see a doctor so that you can look into your potential allergy treatment options.