Can Allergies Make You Tired?

There are a number of symptoms associated with allergies. The most common ones are watery eyes and nasal congestion. Besides these common and relatively obvious symptoms, people often wonder if allergies can make someone feel tired. The answer is YES! It can.

This may vary from person to person in terms of how tired can allergies make an individual and in some cases, one might not experience this symptom at all but most people suffering from allergies may on a certain degree experience fatigue and tiredness.

What are Allergies?

Allergies are not necessarily categorized as diseases. An allergy is your body’s immune system’s response to a foreign substance that may not be harmful like pollen, dust, latex, or certain foods. These substances are often referred to as allergens. The reaction towards these substances varies in terms of how allergic a person is to the substance.

What are Allergy Symptoms?

There are various symptoms associated with allergy. Allergy can make you tired but besides this, some symptoms vary on the kind of allergy you are suffering from. Mentioned below are just some of the types of allergies and the symptoms associated with them

Allergy	Meaning	Symptoms
Animal Allergy	The abnormal immune response against proteins found on an animal’s skin, urine, or saliva. Mostly common amongst people with asthma	– Sneezing – Runny Nose – Wheezing – Heavy Breathing
Drug Allergy	Body’s immune response against certain medication. It can be against some ingredients in the medication.	– Hives – Rash – Fever
Food Allergy	The immune reaction towards certain types of food. The most common ones are, soybeans, nuts, and milk.	– Hives – Digestive Problems – Swollen Airways
Contact Dermatitis	This is a skin reaction caused by coming in contact with some form of irritant which then leads to the skin turning red and itchy.	– Itchy skin – Blisters – Peeling – Ulcers – Hives
Latex Allergy	An immune response against latex develops after constant exposure to latex. This type of allergy can cause symptoms of asthma.	– Runny Nose – Itchy Throat – Minor Skin Irritation – Difficulty Breathing – Chest Tightness – Wheezing
Seasonal Allergies	This kind of allergic reaction occurs during a specific time of the year when there is an excess amount of pollen in the air.	– Sneezing – Red and Watery Eyes – Runny Nose
Anaphylaxis	This is a life-threatening allergic reaction against food, medication, insect stings, or latex.	– Skin Rash – Nausea – Difficulty Breathing – Shock – Vomiting
Mold Allergy	Immune response against mold spores	– Cough – Itchy and Watery Eyes – Hives – Difficulty Breathing

Why do Seasonal Allergies Make you Tired?

Allergies cause fatigue. There are many reasons for that. One is the production of antibodies like immunoglobulin E after the allergic reaction happens. The body also releases histamine. Both of them combined create an inflammatory reaction that causes allergy fatigue.

Besides this, the nasal symptoms can cause restlessness which may affect an individual’s sleep and sleep deprivation can lead to allergies making you tired.

Some scientists and experts refer to tiredness caused by fatigue as brain fog, which basically impairs an individual’s concentration levels.

Pollen Allergies

Pollen Allergies are also called seasonal allergies. It is also referred to by many people as “hay fever”. Scientists call it seasonal allergy rhinitis. When the weather changes plants, trees and flowers release tiny particles called pollen in the air to fertilize other plants.

Most allergic reactions are caused by pollen coming from trees, weeds, and grass. Pollen is one of the main causes of allergies in the United States.  If you ask what are the symptoms of pollen allergy? The allergic reaction against pollen leads to symptoms like sneezing, watery eyes, and runny nose amongst a few.

How to Avoid Allergy Fatigue?

• Find out what’s causing your symptoms

Try to keep track of your symptoms and what you believe may have caused them. Keep an allergy kit at home which will allow you to narrow down the possible allergens causing the symptoms.

You can also keep a journal to track which symptoms are caused when you are exposed to a particular thing. Like if you always feel nauseous after having milk, you are probably allergic

• Limit the exposure

If you have figured out what allergens are causing allergy fatigue and other allergy symptoms, you can try and limit your exposure to them. If you are allergic to something that’s in the air like dust or pollen, try wearing a mask outside.

• Opt for Allergy Medication

Some medications and prescriptions work well in dealing with allergy symptoms. Allergy Shots can curb the symptoms in about 85% of people suffering from allergic reactions. Although before opting for this route always consult your healthcare provider.

Some allergy medications contain antihistamines, people are often concerned about whether antihistamines make you tired? There are some side effects attached to it. It may cause drowsiness and sleepiness in some people so it is advised not to operate any heavy machinery or drive after having antihistamines.

• Visit your healthcare provider

In order to stay ahead of your symptoms like allergy fatigue caused by allergic reactions, you must visit a medical professional who can guide you better and prescribe you medication according to the severity of your reaction.

Schedule an appointment with an Allergist Expert

You don’t have to lay in bed whenever allergic reactions strike you down. Manhattan Medical Arts have expert physicians on board who can help you curb your allergy symptoms and can also help you figure out what you may be allergic to. Schedule an appointment in order to visit our board-certified physician or receive medical consultation online.

– Disclaimer –

This blog is for informational & educational purposes only, and does not intend to substitute any professional medical advice or consultation. For any health related concerns, please consult with your physician, or call 911.