Final answer:
Hives, itching, tightness of the chest, and respiratory distress may indicate allergies or allergic asthma. Symptoms similar to these can also occur during an asthma attack, which can be exacerbated by allergens among other triggers.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hives, itching, tightness of the chest, and respiratory distress may be signs and symptoms of allergies. Allergies are caused by a hypersensitivity of the immune system to substances in the environment that are generally harmless. Common symptoms of allergies include hives (urticaria), itching (pruritus), respiratory distress, and tightness of the chest. These symptoms can also be indicative of an allergic asthma condition, where an allergic reaction triggers an asthma attack. However, anaphylaxis is a severe systemic allergic reaction that can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention.
Symptoms of a severe asthma attack could include difficulty breathing that results in bluish discoloration (cyanosis) of the lips or face, confusion, drowsiness, a rapid pulse, sweating, and severe anxiety. Asthma is a chronic condition that can cause similar symptoms to allergies, such as coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest tightness, but it is specifically a disease that narrows the air passages of the lungs. The narrowing is often accompanied by excessive mucus production, which can exacerbate the difficulty in breathing. Asthma can be aggravated by allergens, but also by other factors like strenuous exercise, stress, or respiratory infections.