Can Allergies Cause A Fever In Adults

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The immune system is vital for fighting off diseases. Any microorganism that enters your body activates your immune system to fight it off. White blood cells are the cells responsible for keeping your body free from diseases. When the cells are low in number, your immune system is inadequate in fighting off microorganisms, making you susceptible to infections. Therefore, a strong immune system is important for the prevention and fighting off of diseases. A strong immune system is generally achieved by proper diet and exercise. Some foods known to boost your immune system that you should incorporate into your diet include garlic, spinach, broccoli, almonds, citrus fruits, et cetera.

In some people, the immune system may be too weak to fight off diseases. This is seen in people with chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes, and HIV/AIDs. This is why people living with HIV/AIDs, for example, are susceptible to bacterial infections like tuberculosis and fungal infections like candidiasis. In addition to the immune system being inadequate to fight off diseases, it can be hyperactive.

Can I Prevent Allergy Symptoms

If youre suffering from allergy symptoms you can try to limit your exposure to the allergens whenever possible. Some suggestions include:

• Stay away from cigarette smoke and pets
• If you have seasonal allergies, you can also keep your windows closed during the peak months when your symptoms flare-up
• If you do go outside, wear a mask to protect yourself
• Delegate allergy triggers such as mowing the grass
• Keep your home or office as clean as possible if you know dust mites are a problem
• If you have food allergies, avoid those foods
• Use over-the-counter allergy medications to help control your symptoms
• Use air conditioning in the car or home
• Use a dehumidifier to keep the indoor air dry in your house
• Select a high-efficiency filter for your HVAC unit and follow recommended maintenance to care for these units
• Clean your home with a vacuum that has a HEPA filter

There are all kinds of over-the-counter medications that you can try. They could potentially help for a time. Nonprescription medications could include:

• Antihistamines or decongestants
• Saline or nasal irrigation

However, you cant always avoid or limit your exposure to the things that cause your allergies, such as pollen, pet dander, or mold. Over-the-counter medications may not alleviate your symptoms. Fortunately, your doctor can help with medications to alleviate your symptoms.

Are You Sure Those Are Allergies

Even if you do not have a fever, make sure to take good care of yourself. Allergies, if left untreated, can cause severe sinus infections and even asthma. Dont try to self-medicate or ignore your symptoms. Because this can likely end up doing more harm than good. So, watch out for bad breath, colored mucus, or any chills. Speak with your physician about the proper treatment plans.

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Herbal Medicines And Allergies

Asteraceae is a family of flowering plants, including many common species, and some are used in herbal medicines. Pollen from plants in this family is a common cause of hay fever, asthma and dermatitis.

Plants from the Asteraceae family include:

• plants grown for their flowers chrysanthemums, dahlias, sunflowers, marigolds, safflower and daisies
• edible foliage plants lettuce, safflower, chicory and artichoke
• weeds ragweed, mugwort, sagebrush, wormwood, feverfew
• plants used in some herbal medicines echinacea, dandelion, chamomile, feverfew, milk thistle and wormwood.

Echinacea can cause severe allergic reaction , asthma attacks, severe hives and swelling in some people, and this can occur when the first dose of echinacea is taken.

Pollen from plants in the Asteraceae family can also cause an allergic skin reaction on contact. The pollen can be found in herbal medicines, shampoos, cosmetics and massage oils, and includes pollen from plants such as the:

Sensitisation to pollen of plants from the Asteraceae family has also been linked with allergic reactions to other substances that are similar. This is known as cross-reactivity and has caused allergic reactions to:

• plant-derived herbal medicines echinacea, royal jelly, bee pollen extracts and chamomile
• foods celery, honey, sunflower seeds, carrot, lettuce, watermelon and nuts.

Can Allergies Cause A Cough

Allergies can also cause you to cough. They can make the back of your throat tickle and cause sinus drainage that makes you very uncomfortable. These allergy symptoms can range from mildly uncomfortable to severe. Patients with asthma may experience wheezing or shortness of breath along with a cough. A cough called by allergies is not contagious but it can certainly be annoying.

Patients with allergies often develop a chronic dry cough that lasts for weeks. You may experience a cough at different times of the year if you have hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis). Hay fever can cause you to sneeze, have itchy skin, watery eyes, and cough. The congestion you experience during seasonal allergies can also cause dark circles under your eyes.

A cough caused by allergies is much different from a cough caused by an infection. Asthma, whether its chronic or triggered by allergens, can also cause a cough.

However, if you experience a fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, or other symptoms, its time to see your doctor.

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When To See A Medical Provider

Seasonal allergies are common, but they dont cause fevers.

If you have a fever along with allergy symptoms, you dont necessarily need medical care right away.

But if your symptoms dont improve or they worsen, see a doctor. You could have a viral or bacterial infection.

Also, if you experience any of the following, seek emergency medical care:

• Fever greater than 103º F
• Yellowing of the skin

Tips For Managing A Fever

The average normal body temperature is 98.6º F .

A fever is a body temperature of 100.4° F or greater.

Many things can raise the bodys temperature and cause a fever.

Whether a fever is cause for concern and requires treatment depends on how high the temperature is and any other symptoms.

If you have a fever, you can manage it in the following ways:

• Get plenty of rest. Your immune system is fighting an infection, and rest supports your bodys recovery.

• Take over-the-counter pain relievers. These can help to reduce fever and provide comfort for other symptoms. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are the most common fever reducers.

• Stay hydrated. An increased body temperature from fever can cause dehydration and increase your bodys need for fluids. Drink water and non-caffeinated beverages throughout the day. You can also drink electrolyte beverages like sports drinks to help replenish electrolytes, which help your cells manage water balance.

If you experience a fever of 104° F or greater, or you have a fever that does not resolve on its own after a few days, seek medical care.

Read Also: Is It Covid Or Allergies

Is It Allergies Or The Flu

It can sometimes be difficult to tell the difference between symptoms caused by allergies and those caused by colds or the flu, but there is one crucial difference: a fever.

If you are experiencing any kind of fever, even if it is low-grade, this is almost certainly not a case of allergies. Moreover, symptoms like chills, body aches, fatigue, and headaches are extremely common when it comes to the flu, but generally do not happen as a result of allergies.

Thus, taking a close look at what kind of symptoms you are experiencing can help you make that distinction.

Symptoms of the flu tend to affect your entire body, whereas allergy symptoms are concentrated in your facial area.

When it comes to viruses rather than the flu, it can be a bit harder to tell the difference due to the large overlap of symptoms between allergies and viruses. That said, if your primary symptoms are itchy eyes, congestion, and postnasal drip, it is probably allergies. If these symptoms are accompanied by fatigue and a low-grade fever, a virus is the most probable culprit.

Can I Prevent Hay Fever

There is no way to prevent hay fever, but lifestyle changes can help you live with allergies. You can relieve hay fever symptoms by avoiding irritants as much as possible. To reduce symptoms, you should:

• Avoid touching your face and rubbing your eyes or nose.
• Close windows in your home and car during the spring, summer and early fall when pollen counts are higher.
• Enclose pillows, mattresses and box springs in dust mite covers.
• Keep pets off couches and beds, and close doors to bedrooms you dont want them to enter.
• Use filters in your vacuum cleaner and air conditioner to reduce the amount of allergens in the air.
• Wash your hands often, especially after playing with pets.
• Wear a hat and sunglasses to protect your eyes from pollen when youre outside. Change your clothes as soon as you come indoors.

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How Is Allergic Rhinitis Treated

Several allergy medications can improve symptoms and help you live with hay fever. These treatments come in many forms, including liquids, pills, eye drops, nasal sprays and injections. Talk to your provider before taking any medication, especially if youre pregnant or have other health concerns. Your provider may suggest:

Antihistamines: Antihistamine medications are available with a prescription or over the counter. They work by blocking the histamine that your body releases during an allergic response. Antihistamines come as pills, liquids, eye drops, nasal sprays and inhalers. They include:

• Levocetirizine .

Antihistamines can cause drowsiness. Avoid alcohol when taking antihistamines, especially if youre going to drive.

These medications relieve congestion in the nose and sinuses. You can take decongestants by mouth or use a nasal spray. They include:

• Afrin® nasal spray.
• Phenylephrine nasal spray .

• Pseudoephedrine .

Corticosteroid nasal sprays: These sprays and inhalers reduce inflammation and relieve symptoms of hay fever. The most common nasal sprays are Flonase®, Nasacort® and Rhinocort®. Side effects include headaches, nasal irritation, nosebleeds and cough.

Your provider might recommend immunotherapy in the form of a pill that you place under your tongue.

When Should I See My Healthcare Provider About Hay Fever

Although hay fever doesnt cause any serious health problems, you should see your provider to rule out other conditions, such as asthma. Seek care if hay fever symptoms are getting in the way of your daily life or making it hard for you to sleep. Your provider can help you identify the allergens that are causing a reaction and recommend treatments to help you feel better.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Hay fever symptoms can affect your quality of life and keep you from doing the activities you love, but effective treatments are available. Millions of adults and children manage hay fever with medications and lifestyle changes. Talk to your provider about steps you can take to relieve symptoms, breathe easier and feel better.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 07/30/2020.

References

• Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Rhinitis . Accessed 9/1/2021.
• American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology . Rhinitis Overview. Accessed 9/1/2021.
• InformedHealth.org . Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care 2006-. Hay fever: Allergen-specific immunotherapy in the treatment of allergies. Accessed 9/1/2021.
• Wheatley LM, Togias A. Allergic Rhinitis. N Engl J Med. 2015 Jan 29 372:456-463. Accessed 9/1/2021.

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Despite Symptoms Its Not The Flu

COVID-19 is not the flu.

As one of a class of pathogens known as coronaviruses, COVID-19 is actually more closely related to the common cold than the seasonal flu.

However, despite some overlap, the typical symptoms of COVID-19 are more similar to the flu than the common cold .

The Delta variant, however, may have more cold-like symptoms.

In terms of differentiating between flu and COVID-19, it can be almost impossible to distinguish, Dr. Jake Deutsch, co-founder and clinical director of Cure Urgent Care and Specialty Infusion in New York. Thats why people are recommended to have flu vaccinations so it can at least minimize the risk of flu in light of everything else.

Fevers, body aches, coughing, sneezing could all be equally attributed to them both, so it really means that if theres a concern for flu, theres a concern for COVID-19, Deutsch said.

When and where you get sick might be the best predictor of whether you have a cold, the flu, or COVID-19, Yildirim said.

People living in communities with low vaccination rates and high rates of COVID-19 are more likely to have COVID-19, she said, especially outside of cold and flu season.

However, she said, differentiating becomes more difficult during the winter, when all three diseases may be widespread.

If you have a mild case of COVID-19, the flu, or a cold, treatment is geared toward management of symptoms, said Cutler.

Mild cases of COVID-19 are thought to last approximately 2 weeks, said Cutler.

Control Symptoms With Medication

Avoiding allergens entirely isnt always possible or practical. Often, people find that they must also manage their allergy symptoms and work to avoid allergens.

Managing allergies may involve:

• Nasal sprays: These are the most effective treatment for nasal allergies. They reduce swelling and nasal allergy symptoms. These sprays may include steroids, antihistamines, anticholinergics, and mast cell stabilizers.
• Antihistamines: An antihistamine blocks the histamine receptor and reduces respiratory allergy symptoms.
• : These reduce congestion.
• Epinephrine: Known commonly as an EpiPen, this treats anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction.
• Immunotherapy: These allergy shots work like a vaccine by injecting an allergen at increasing doses to develop tolerance to that allergen. Allergy shots are a long-term treatment that may be an option for people who cannot avoid their triggers or if medications dont work.
• Bronchodilators: If you have allergic asthma, your healthcare provider might also prescribe an inhaler for you to use when you have an asthma attack. These devices work by widening your airway to help you breathe better. Short-acting inhalers are for use as needed when you have trouble breathing. Long-acting inhalers are for use daily to prevent breathing issues.

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Fever And Allergies Symptoms

The most common sign that you have an allergy is that it is short-lived and persists only as long as you are exposed to the allergen. If your symptoms persist, it may be that you have the flu or the common cold since they typically last longer.

However, itchy and watery eyes, which are common in allergies, are not signs of the flu or a cold.

The Interplay Between Allergies And Covid

Early in the pandemic, allergists were concerned, based on their experience with influenza, that patients with allergic asthma were at a higher risk of developing severe COVID. But that turned out not to be the case. These patients did not do poorly with COVID, which we were all very relieved about, Tuck says. They actually did better than we expected.

In fact, a study published in the journal Thorax found that people with allergic asthma may be at a lower risk of COVID infection, compared with those without the condition. Sedaghat notes that recent evidence suggests people who produce allergic inflammation may have a lower risk of producing the nonallergic type of inflammation associated with severe COVID. Weve seen, in some studies, that patients who tend to have allergic inflammation have lower levels of the receptor for the virus that causes COVID-19.

Fortunately, wearing a mask helps protect against both COVID and seasonal allergies. Pollen particles are relatively large, and masks effectively keep them away from the nose and mouth. Observing this incidental benefit was one of the pandemics silver linings, Sedaghat says. As a clinician, all I see and treat are patients with allergies and sinus problems. These patients had a dramatic benefit from wearing masks. It was unbelievable how much better they were doing, he says.

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How You Can Tell The Difference Between Cold And Seasonal Allergy Symptoms

With both allergies and colds, its typical to have congestion or a runny nose, and to sneeze often. You may also feel tired and drowsy. But there are several other symptoms that dont often overlap between allergies and a cold. Here are some of the telltale differences between cold symptoms and allergy symptoms.

Get Help From A Doctor For Both Fevers And Allergies

If your fever doesnt break within three days, or it climbs to a high-grade fever, you need to seek medical attention.

With allergies, you should consult a doctor if the symptoms youre experiencing arent related to a diagnosis.

In both cases, you can speak to a doctor from the comfort of your home with the help of Carefree MD.

For just $17.95/month, you can speak to a state-licensed physician with a phone or computer, get prescriptions sent to your local pharmacy when medically necessary, and receive personalized advice on treatment options.

Talk to a doctor about your fever or allergies when you sign up for a Carefree MD membership today!

The Carefree MD blog is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The text and pictures within the content are intended for information purposes only. Readers should consult with a licensed doctor or healthcare professional before seeking treatment.The Carefree MD Card is not insurance and Carefree MD is not an insurance provider

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Do Allergies Cause A Fever

Seasonal allergies should not cause a fever, as a high temperature often signals your body is fighting a bacterial or viral infection, says Jessica Hui, M.D., allergy and immunology physician at National Jewish Health in Denver. Many of us have heard someone sneeze and then say, Its just my allergies when theyre actually sick with the common cold.

Symptoms of the common cold, flu, or COVID-19 are often confused with seasonal allergies, as theres a lot of overlap with symptoms. But if there is an associated feverwhen your temperature hits 100.4 degrees or moreits important to think beyond allergies, because it may be an illness that is contagious and warrants a sick day, explains Dr. Hui.