Sensory + ENT + Allergy + Immunology Hub

How to Use This Hub

• Step 1: Start with the section that matches your main symptom (vision, hearing, sore throat, allergies, etc.).
• Step 2: Read “What it can look like” and “What to do today.”
• Step 3: If you see red flags, don’t wait — tell a trusted adult and seek urgent care.
• Step 4: Use the trusted links for deeper info (government + major medical centers).

Emergency Red Flags (Get Help NOW)

A) Teen Vision & Eye Health

1) Refractive Errors (Nearsightedness/Farsightedness/Astigmatism)

• What it can look like: squinting, blurry distance vision (common in teens), headaches, eye strain, sitting close to screens/board.
• What to do today: schedule an eye exam; use correct glasses/contacts; reduce eye strain with breaks.
• Red flags: sudden vision changes, eye pain, flashes/floaters with vision loss.

MedlinePlus – Vision Disorders & Refractive Errors
American Academy of Ophthalmology – Eye Health (trusted)

2) Digital Eye Strain (Screens)

• What it can look like: dry eyes, blurred vision after screens, headaches, trouble focusing, irritated eyes.
• What to do today: use the 20-20-20 rule (every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds), blink more, adjust brightness, keep screens at a comfortable distance.

Cleveland Clinic – Digital Eye Strain

3) Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) & Eye Irritation

• What it can look like: redness, discharge/crusting, itchiness (often allergy), gritty feeling.
• What to do today: don’t share towels/makeup; wash hands; seek care if pain, light sensitivity, or vision changes.

MedlinePlus – Pink Eye
CDC – Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

4) Dry Eye

• What it can look like: burning, gritty feeling, watery eyes (yes, dry eyes can water), irritation with contacts/screens.
• What to do today: screen breaks, hydration, ask an eye clinician about safe drops.

MedlinePlus – Dry Eye

5) Eye Injury (Sports, Chemistry Class, Accidents)

• What it can look like: pain, redness, light sensitivity, blurred vision, foreign body feeling.
• What to do today: don’t rub; rinse with clean water for irritants; seek urgent care for pain/vision change/chemical exposure.

MedlinePlus – Eye Injuries

B) Teen Hearing & Ear Health

6) Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (Headphones, Concerts)

• What it can look like: ringing in ears (tinnitus), muffled hearing after loud sound, asking people to repeat.
• What to do today: lower volume, take breaks, use earplugs at loud events, follow “safe listening” habits.

CDC – Hearing Loss (Noise & Prevention)
MedlinePlus – Hearing Disorders

7) Ear Infection (Otitis Media) & Ear Pain

• What it can look like: ear pain/pressure, fever, muffled hearing, sometimes drainage.
• What to do today: talk to a clinician if pain is moderate/severe, fever is high, or symptoms persist.
• Red flags: severe pain with swelling behind the ear, confusion, severe dizziness.

MedlinePlus – Ear Infections
Mayo Clinic – Ear Infection

8) Earwax Buildup (Cerumen) & “Blocked Ear”

• What it can look like: muffled hearing, fullness, itching, ringing.
• Important: don’t put objects in the ear canal. Ask a clinician about safe removal.

MedlinePlus – Earwax

C) Nose, Throat & ENT Health

9) Sore Throat (Viral vs Strep)

• What it can look like: pain swallowing, fever, swollen glands; strep can present without cough.
• What to do today: hydration, rest; seek testing if fever, significant pain, or exposure to strep.
• Red flags: trouble breathing, drooling/inability to swallow, severe neck swelling.

CDC – Strep Throat
MedlinePlus – Sore Throat

10) Sinusitis (Sinus Infection) & Chronic Congestion

• What it can look like: face pressure, thick nasal discharge, headache, cough, symptoms lasting >10 days or worsening after improving.
• What to do today: hydration, saline rinses (if appropriate), clinician visit if severe or persistent.

MedlinePlus – Sinusitis
Cleveland Clinic – Sinusitis

11) Nosebleeds

• What it can look like: common with dry air, nose picking, allergies, colds.
• What to do today: sit up, lean forward, pinch soft part of nose 10 minutes, avoid blowing after.
• Get help if: heavy bleeding won’t stop, frequent episodes, dizziness, or bleeding disorder concerns.

MedlinePlus – Nosebleeds (first aid)

12) Tonsillitis & Enlarged Tonsils (Snoring/Bad Breath)

• What it can look like: sore throat, fever, swollen tonsils, snoring, trouble swallowing.
• What to do today: clinician visit if severe, recurrent, or affecting sleep/breathing.

MedlinePlus – Tonsils & Adenoids

D) Teen Allergies (Common & Serious)

13) Seasonal Allergies (Allergic Rhinitis / Hay Fever)

• What it can look like: sneezing, itchy eyes, runny/stuffy nose, post-nasal drip, cough, fatigue.
• What to do today: track triggers (pollen/mold), shower after outdoor time, keep windows closed on high-pollen days, discuss treatment options with a clinician.
• Common mistake: thinking allergies are “just a cold” for months.

CDC – Allergens & Health
MedlinePlus – Allergic Rhinitis

14) Food Allergies

• What it can look like: hives, swelling, stomach symptoms, breathing trouble (in severe cases).
• What to do today: avoid the trigger, get a medical plan, know when to use emergency medicine if prescribed.
• Emergency: breathing trouble or swelling of mouth/throat = urgent help.

CDC – Food Allergies in Schools
MedlinePlus – Food Allergy
FDA – Food Allergies & Labeling

15) Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) & Allergy Connections

• What it can look like: itchy, dry, inflamed skin patches; flare-ups with stress, soaps, weather, allergens.
• What to do today: moisturize regularly, avoid harsh soaps/fragrances, talk to a clinician about treatments.

MedlinePlus – Eczema
NIAMS (NIH) – Atopic Dermatitis

16) Hives (Urticaria) & Random Allergic Reactions

• What it can look like: raised itchy welts that come and go; sometimes triggered by food, infection, stress, or unknown causes.
• Red flags: hives with breathing trouble or facial swelling = emergency.

MedlinePlus – Hives

17) Asthma (Linked to Allergies for Many Teens)

• What it can look like: wheezing, chest tightness, cough (especially at night/exercise), shortness of breath.
• What to do today: get an asthma action plan; avoid triggers; use prescribed medicines as directed.
• Emergency: severe breathing trouble, blue lips, can’t speak normally.

CDC – Asthma
MedlinePlus – Asthma

E) Common Immunology / Immune-Related Conditions in Teens

18) Autoimmune Conditions (Overview)

• What it means: the immune system mistakenly attacks parts of the body.
• What it can look like: long-lasting fatigue, joint pain/swelling, unexplained rashes, recurring fevers, weight changes.
• What to do: if symptoms persist or cluster, ask a clinician about evaluation and labs.

MedlinePlus – Autoimmune Diseases

19) Type 1 Diabetes (Immune-Related)

• What it can look like: extreme thirst, frequent urination, weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision.
• Urgent concern: severe nausea/vomiting, deep rapid breathing, confusion = emergency evaluation.

MedlinePlus – Type 1 Diabetes
CDC – Type 1 Diabetes

20) Celiac Disease (Immune Reaction to Gluten)

• What it can look like: stomach pain, diarrhea/constipation, poor growth, fatigue, anemia, skin rash (sometimes).
• What to do: do not start a gluten-free diet before testing (can affect results). Ask a clinician.

MedlinePlus – Celiac Disease
NIDDK (NIH) – Celiac Disease

21) Immunodeficiency (Frequent/Severe Infections)

• What it can look like: frequent severe infections, infections that are hard to clear, poor healing.
• What to do: talk to a clinician; immune evaluation may be needed if patterns are concerning.

MedlinePlus – Immunodeficiency Disorders

F) Common Tests Teens Might Hear About (Vision/ENT/Allergy/Immune)

Prevention & Daily Habits (Teen-Realistic)

Trusted Resources (Government + Major Medical Centers)

25-Question Teen Sensory/ENT/Allergy Quiz