Can Allergies Cause Elevated Temperature

Can Allergies Cause A Low

Allergies happen when the body overreacts to a substance it considers harmful. As a result, the immune system produces antibodies and histamine to fight off the perceived invaders, causing an inflammatory reaction that makes you feel downright lousy.

Even though seasonal allergies are sometimes called “hay fever,” they don’t usually trigger a rise in temperature, says Natasha Burgert, M.D., a board-certified pediatrician for Pediatric Associates in Overland Park, Kansas. Fevers are more likely to be viral or bacterial in nature, adds Dr. Jain.

It’s important to note that your child’s immune system works overtime to fight off allergies, which increases their susceptibility to colds, sinus infections, or viruses. Your kid can definitely run a fever while suffering from allergies, but their high temperature won’t actually be caused by the allergies.

How To Tell If Your Symptoms Are Due To Allergies

You may need to consult a doctor to determine the cause of your fever. A doctor will ask you questions and do a physical exam to understand symptoms and onset. Other tests can include a blood test, a stool or urine test, a throat swab, a mucus sample, or an x-ray.

If you suspect your symptoms are due to an allergy, you should make an appointment with a doctor. Your doctor may recommend consulting an allergist, someone who can test for and diagnose specific allergies.

Diagnosing an allergy requires several steps. These may include:

Can Allergies Cause Fatigue & A Low Grade Fever

Whether it is spring or fall, if you suffer from allergies, you run the risk of becoming sick. For some sufferers, allergies cause nasal congestion, headache and cough 1. For others, if their bodies react strongly enough, their symptoms may include a low-grade fever and fatigue. It is important to know how to treat your symptoms so you begin feeling healthy again.

If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.

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Is Fever A Symptom Of Allergies

When you are sick, it can be challenging at times to figure out what exactly you have.

Symptoms of different illnesses often overlap. Then add in the fact that some names can be confusing.

For example, take hay fever. This condition not only isnt necessarily triggered by hay, it also doesnt cause fever.

To help you understand fevers, hay fever, and seasonal allergies, in this article, Ill first detail common allergy symptoms.

Then Ill explain what else can cause fever and allergy-like symptoms.

Ill also share tips for managing a fever, how doctors diagnose allergies, and when to see a medical provider about symptoms of allergies.

My Child Has Allergy Symptoms With A Fevernow What

Fevers aren’t caused by allergies, so if your child experiences a rise in temperature, something else is likely to blame. For example, viruses like the common cold or influenza cause fever as the immune system struggles to fight them off. Bacterial infections like strep throat might also lead to feverâand so can ear infections, heat exhaustion, urinary tract infections, and more. Also, COVID-19 can present with fever and allergy-like symptomsâmainly runny nose, sore throat, and coughing.

Always let your pediatrician know about any worrisome symptoms in your kid. They might need to treat the underlying cause of their fever with antibiotics. If applicable, they might also recommend a coronavirus test.

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Suggestions To Reduce Symptoms

To prevent or limit symptoms of hay fever, minimise exposure to known allergens.

House dust mite minimisation:

• Wash sheets, pillow cases and other bedding weekly in hot water.
• Cover mattress, pillow and quilt with dust mite resistant covers.
• Remove sheepskins or woollen underlays from the bed and bedroom.
• Remove soft toys from the bedroom.

Pet dander minimisation:

• Ensure pets are kept out of bedrooms.
• Keep pets outside.

• Remove visible mould by cleaning with bleach or other mould reduction cleaners.
• Ensure adequate natural ventilation, including extractor fans.
• Avoid working with garden compost, mulch or mowing lawns.

• Remain indoors during pollen seasons, particularly on windy days or after thunderstorms.
• Avoid activities known to cause exposure to pollen, such as mowing grass.
• Shower after outdoor activities where exposure to pollen is high.
• Use re-circulated air in the car when pollen levels are high.
• Wear sunglasses .
• Dry bedding and clothing inside or in a tumble dryer.

When To See A Doctor

If your fever is above 104°F , contact a doctor immediately. If you have flu symptoms that last more than 10 days or if your symptoms arent improving with OTC medications, you should contact a doctor.

You should also see a doctor if your fever is causing:

• High body heat with no sweat
• Involuntary shivering or shaking

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Allergies Follow A Pattern And Symptoms Tend To Stick Around Longer

If you have allergies, your symptoms will flare up at certain times throughout the year when the allergens youre sensitive to are present. For example, if you have a tree pollen allergy, your symptoms will first appear in the early spring.

This also means that your symptoms can last for several weeks until that particular allergy season has ended. To put that into perspective, colds usually only last about a week.

Cold viruses are present all year, so you can catch one at any time. However, the winter cold season is when getting sick is more likely.

Cold Vs Allergies: How To Determine The Difference

Do you suspect that you might be sick? Have you been coughing, sneezing, and blowing your nose for a few days, but aren’t certain if it’s a cold or allergies? It can be difficult to tell the difference between a cold and allergies. In fact, many people think they have one when they’ve actually got the other. But it can be crucial to figure out the difference because treatments might vary depending on what’s causing your symptoms.

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Symptoms Lasting Longer Than 10 Days

Rarely will a cold last longer than 10 days. Cold symptoms can linger but should be improving significantly. Cold symptoms will usually come fast and leave fast. Allergies will affect you as long as the excessive post-nasal drip, which can cause your throat to feel rough and uncomfortable.

Still deciding what you’re suffering from? Take our cold or allergies quiz to narrow it down! If you canât determine what youâre suffering from, visit a local allergy expert or your primary care physician, and they can help you determine whatâs affecting you and how you can treat it.

Check If You Have Hay Fever

Symptoms of hay fever include:

• sneezing and coughing
• a runny or blocked nose
• itchy, red or watery eyes
• itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears
• pain around your temples and forehead

If you have asthma, you might also:

• have a tight feeling in your chest
• be short of breath
• wheeze and cough

Hay fever will last for weeks or months, unlike a cold, which usually goes away after 1 to 2 weeks.

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Are You Sure Those Are Allergies

Even if you dont have a fever, you should make sure to take good care of yourself. Untreated allergies can cause serious sinus infections and even asthma down the line. If you try to self-medicate, or worse, ignore your symptoms, you could end up doing more harm than good.

Watch out for bad breath, yellow or green mucus, and any chills or hot flashes. It may just be a simple case of the sniffles now, but if you dont speak with your physician about the proper treatment plans, your allergies will cause more than a fever down the line. Final Thoughts:

So, the answer, in short, is yes: allergies can cause fever. However, they dont cause fever in the way you might expect. If youve been struggling with allergies this year, dont brush them off. Make a call to your local Buffalo ENT to discuss your symptoms and possible treatment options. The longer your symptoms go untreated, the worse they could become. So, take care of them today.

Allergies Could Cause A Fever Indirectly Though

Seasonal allergies can cause your sinuses and lungs to get inflamed, explains Purvi Parikh, M.D., an allergist and immunologist with the nonprofit Allergy & Asthma Network. And that, she says, makes you more susceptible to catching viruses and bacteria which lead to infections.

Allergies also mess with an important and basic part of your immune system, says Craig Jones, M.D., medical director of otolaryngology at Mass. Eye and Ear, Cape Cod. Part of our innate immunity is the mucosal barrier in our nose and airways, he says, noting that allergies interfere with this barrier.

Another way your allergies could contribute to you developing a fever: You tend to touch your face more when you have symptoms. Simply by touching a spot, such as a shopping cart, telephone, or computer keyboard contaminated with a virus, and then rubbing the nose or eyes, a person can inoculate themselves with a germ, Dr. Jones says. Patients with allergies are much more likely to rub their eyes or nose due to itching, which puts them at additional risk.

You can develop whats known as a secondary infection from your allergies as well, says Kara Wada, M.D., an allergist-immunologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Secondary sinus and/or ear infections can result from severe allergies, which can cause fevers, she says.

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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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Talk With A Doctor Or Clinician To Create A Personalized Treatment Plan

If you arent sure if its a cold or allergies, or if your symptoms are severe or long-lasting, its best to connect with a care provider to get an official diagnosis and treatment plan.

If your allergy symptoms are left untreated, you could become more prone to getting sinus infections or other upper respiratory infections, or they may lead to poor asthma control.

Also, a common cold can turn severe. So if your cold has had you laid up longer than a day or two, get in touch with your doctor.

You have a couple options:

Make an appointment for face-to-face care from a primary care doctor or clinician. Whether you choose a video visit or in-person appointment, your doctor will listen to your symptoms, answer questions and work with you to create a tailored treatment plan including connecting you with an allergist or an otolaryngologist if needed.

Start a virtual visit anytime, anyplace through Virtuwell. With Virtuwell, no appointment is necessary and treatment is available 24/7. Getting started is easy. Well ask you a few questions, and youll get your diagnosis and treatment plan from a board-certified nurse practitioner. Each visit is just $59 or less, depending on your insurance.

How To Treat Allergy Symptoms

Theres an important step when trying to manage the symptoms of seasonal allergies. Decreasing exposure to the allergens youre allergic to is an important action that people often dont think about, says Dr. Hui. For example, keeping the windows of your home and car closed when the pollen counts are high or showering after outdoor activities.

When it comes to medications, there are many that can treat your symptoms. Intranasal steroid spraysfor example, Flonase or Nasacortare available over-the-counter or by prescription, and studies have shown great benefit when used consistently the spray reduces inflammation and thus decreases symptoms like sneezing and congestion, says Dr. Hui.

Oral antihistaminesfor example, Zyrtec or Allegraare also particularly helpful when someone has hives. Finally, allergen immunotherapy, or allergy shots, often provide long term benefit and are tailored towards the allergens youre specifically allergic to.

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Allergies Do Not Cause Fevers

People often wonder if allergies can cause a fever. The answer is no. Allergies cannot cause a fever, though you could have an allergy flare-up at the same time youre experiencing a fever from an infection. For example, since allergies tend to cause stuffy noses, theyre also considered risk factors for sinus infections. Sinus infections happen when mucus gets trapped in the sinuses, allowing bacteria or viruses to grow.

With a cold, your temperature can run warmer, but typically it will be less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

How Can An Allergy Lead To Fever

One of the most common symptoms of allergies is nasal congestion. This congestion can trap bacteria in your nose, and cause sinusitis. It can also make you more susceptible to viruses, making it easy for you to catch the flu.

And you guessed it. Fever is a common symptom of both the flu and sinusitis.

So, if you have a rise in temperature or a fever, its probably due to another condition, not allergies. However, allergies can lead to that condition occasionally.

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Managing Your Hay Fever

Identifying the allergen/s causing the symptoms is an important part of managing hay fever. In some cases the cause may be obvious but in others your doctor will need to consider your medical history together with the results of allergy tests , which may require referral to a specialist. The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy recommends the use of evidenced based allergy tests only.

Some medications may help relieve the symptoms of hay fever. Ask your GP or pharmacist for advice. You may be advised to try:

How Are Seasonal Allergies Diagnosed

Talk with your doctor if you think your child might have seasonal allergies. The doctor will ask if the same symptoms happen at the same time each year after your child is around an allergen, and do an exam. The doctor may be able to make a diagnosis, or might refer you to an allergy doctor for allergy skin testing or a blood test.

To find which allergens cause a person’s symptoms, allergists usually do skin testing. During skin prick testing, an allergist or nurse puts a tiny bit of a liquid containing an allergen into the skin by making a small scratch or prick on the skin. They usually do skin testing on a person’s forearm or back. The allergist then waits 15 minutes or so to see if a red, raised bump, called a wheal, forms. If it does, there might be an allergy. The allergist uses a ruler to measure the wheal and the redness around it.

Even if a skin test or a blood test shows an allergy, a child must also have symptoms to be diagnosed with an allergy for sure. For example, a child who has a positive test for grass pollen and sneezes a lot while playing in the grass would be considered allergic to grass pollen.

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