Weird Symptoms, Explained

Your Mouth, Tongue, or Gums Itch When You Eat Certain Foods

The explanation: Chances are, you’re having some kind of allergic reaction. If the itching is mild and only in your mouth, it may suggest oral allergy syndrome. People with this syndrome react to plant-based foods that contain proteins similar to ones they are allergic to. For example, an allergy to birch-tree pollen can cause a reaction to such foods as apples, carrots, and almonds. Your reaction could also be a food allergy, the most common of which are to finned fish, -shellfish, soy, eggs, wheat, nuts, and milk. This is even more likely if you get a rash, tingling, or swelling, says Horne.
The fix: Mild, mouth-only symptoms should go away in a few minutes.
When to see a doctor: If you suspect you have a classic food allergy. And if you experience trouble breathing, go to the emergency room immediately. This could be a sign of anaphylactic shock, which can be fatal.

Your Fingers Refuse to Bend

The explanation: When your fingers have been in one position for a long time—while you’re writing or sleeping, say—the flexor tendons can swell and become stuck, says Strickland.
The fix: Use your other hand to bend the locked finger and hold it there for a few seconds. You can also ice the joint and take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, such as Advil, to ease the swelling.
When to see a doctor: If you still can’t move it a day later.

 

Your Eyelid Starts to Spasm

The explanation: Stress, fatigue, or over-caffeination is probably at the root of the problem, causing the muscle in your upper or lower eyelid to contract rhythmically, says Williams.
The fix: Close your eyes and take a few deep, relaxing breaths. “A spasm almost always resolves within a few minutes,” says Williams, but if you’re under chronic stress, it can last longer. (Fear not: You’re probably the only one who can see it.)
When to see a doctor: If spasms occur regularly or are accompanied by pain.