Can Pollen Allergies Cause Fever

Questions To Ask Your Doctor

• Could anything else, such as a cold or the flu, be causing my symptoms?
• How do I figure out what Im allergic to?
• Is my allergy seasonal?
• I am allergic to _____. Am I at risk for any other allergies?
• What changes can I make at home to relieve my symptoms?
• Will any over-the counter medicines relieve my symptoms?
• What should I do if my symptoms get worse or dont respond to the treatment youve prescribed?
• Do I need to see an allergy specialist ?

What Is The Prognosis Of Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis is a chronic condition, meaning that it persists over time. Some people who experience allergic rhinitis as children will notice their symptoms improve as they get older. Others may have symptoms for life. Allergic rhinitis is not associated with severe complications and can be managed effectively with medications and, in some cases, desensitization therapy.

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.

Are You Experiencing Allergies Or A Cold

Edward T. Mezic, M.D. contributes to topics such as Pulmonary Medicine.

Kimberly Cai, M.D. contributes to topics such as Internal Medicine.

Nelson Lee, D.O. contributes to topics such as Family Medicine.

Sometimes adults can develop respiratory allergies, even if they have never had them before. Allergies develop if the immune system becomes sensitized to certain triggers, such as pollen, pet dander, dust mites or mold spores, and mounts a defense to those triggers. The symptoms you experience are signs of that defensive action.

A runny nose and fatigue can be signs of seasonal allergies, but those symptoms could also be caused by a cold virus, says Kimberly Cai, M.D., an internal medicine physician at Hackensack Meridian Health Medical Group. But there are some important differences between cold and allergy symptoms. Check the list below to see if your symptoms point to an allergy or a cold:

Allergy Symptoms

• Duration: three to seven days

If you suspect allergies, there are ways to fight the symptoms.

Avoid allergens. It is difficult to completely avoid airborne allergens like pollen and mold spores, but keeping windows closed during the worst part of the season can help. If you are sensitive to pet dander or dust mites, frequently vacuum rugs and wash bed linens. You might also need to vacuum other fabrics like drapes and throw pillows, and use a dust-trapping cloth or tool on window blinds and hard surfaces on a regular basis.

Symptoms Of Pollen Allergies

Everyones immune system is different and allergies to pollens can cause diverse signs and symptoms. This means that diagnosing an allergy can be difficult. If you think you may have an allergy, keeping a record of your symptoms can help you and your doctor to understand what is causing your symptoms.

Plants Allergy Sufferers Should Avoid And What To Grow Instead

Do you love your garden but find yourself inside looking out at it, rather than spending time in it, thanks to allergies or asthma? The secret to enjoying being in your garden is to find plants that give you the look you want and that are also far less likely to cause problems for you.

Not everyone is allergic to the same thing, and allergic reactions can range from the symptoms of hay fever to rashes, hives and blisters . Some popular annuals, perennials and shrubs are more likely to trigger allergic reactions than other plants. Below, we call out those plants and offer ideas for replacing them.

RELATED: Outdoor Rocking Chairs to Spruce Up the Porch

Look at a garden in full bloom, especially in spring and summer, and you might immediately think that all those flowers must mean an allergy nightmare. For most allergy sufferers, though, the flowers arent really the problem. Some of the most gaudy plants are the least likely to cause problems because their color is designed to attract insects, which then carry the pollen from plant to plant.

Its often the less showy plants you need to watch out for. Theyre more likely to rely on the wind to do their pollination, and pollen carried by wind is more likely to affect humans .

This approach isnt foolproof, of course. Some familiar plants with favorite flowers are some of the worst offenders. Other plants, such as goldenrod, may be thought to be a problem but are actually a good choice.

1. Love-Lies-Bleeding

Can Allergies Cause Fevers Indirectly

Allergies can take quite a toll on your immune system. If your white blood cells are busy fighting off pollen, you might find yourself feeling weak. Its not uncommon to come down with a cold or sinus infection in the midst of allergy season. Sinuses filled with mucus are breeding grounds for bacteria. In this case, allergies can cause a fever, but only indirectly.

If you do come down with a cold during allergy season, you need to make sure that youre taking extra precautions to stay hydrated and relax so your body can recover. It can be exhausting for your body to fight on two fronts at the same time.

How Hay Fever Affects Your Voice

Hay fever is a common allergy around 30% of the population suffer with it. Suffering from hay fever is like having a chronic cold; it causes sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, and a stuffy/runny nose. But most worryingly for singers, hay fever can also cause voice loss.  

Hay fever causes congestion in your airways and this leads to postnasal drip . This irritates the vocal cords, which may already be inflamed from any pollen youve breathed in.  

If your vocal cords become swollen or irritated, it can cause your voice to crack, thin, and eventually disappear.    

Do You Have A Cold The Flu Or Allergies

The above table details the symptom differences between all three conditions.

The common symptoms of a cold, flu and allergies are a stuffy or a runny nose, sneezing, a sore throat, a cough, a headache, or even fatigue. Two differing symptoms are a fever or aches/pain, these would not be caused by allergies, but could be due to a cold or the flu. Symptoms of the flu are often more severe than a cold.

While the symptoms are similar, the origin of the conditions are different. A cold and the flu are both caused by different viruses, whereas allergies are caused by your immune system reacting to a trigger. Common inhalant allergy triggers are pollen, dust, mold, pet dander.

See related: Is it a cold? Or is it Allergies?

Can Pollen Cause Flu Like Symptoms

Allergy symptoms usually last as long as youre exposed to the allergen, CRNAWrongDiagnosis.com » Symptoms » Flu-like symptoms » Causes Retrieved on April 10, then got really achy and feverish for two full days couldThroughout the US, it can mimic the same kind of symptoms. Similarities between flu and allergy symptoms make it difficult to determine whether you actually have the fluCan Allergies Cause Flu-Like Symptoms?Food allergies can cause a headache as well, Started with allergy symptoms, muscle aches, but headaches related to food allergies never occur without related symptoms like gastrointestinal pain and swelling of the face and throat, and body aches, Allergies doAuthor: Rachel Nall, The reaction is sometimes

What Is A Skin Prick Test

This common test is painless and accurate, though it may be a little uncomfortable. Your provider places a small sample of different allergens on your skin and scratches or pricks the skin with a needle. Scratching the skin allows the allergen to get under the surface.

If youre allergic to the allergen, the area will become red, itchy and irritated in 15 to 30 minutes. You may develop raised, hive-like welts called wheals that show an allergic reaction. A skin prick test is a safe, effective way to determine which allergens are causing your symptoms.

How Can Allergy Symptoms Be Treated By A Doctor

Allergists, like Dr. Kevin Farnam, MD, are medical doctors who specialize in the treatment of allergies and asthma. These specially trained clinicians can treat your stubborn allergy symptoms by first, diagnosing, and then prescribing medications that can help. 

Many mild allergy cases can be treated without seeing a doctor. When allergies interfere with your day-to-day activities, you can take back control of your life by seeing an allergist. 

An allergist can treat all kinds of allergy problems including: 

• Allergic rhinitis or hay fever is a reaction that occurs primarily from environmental allergens
• Anaphylaxis is rare and a potentially fatal allergic reaction caused by triggers such as food, a medication, or an insect sting
• Asthma is an allergy symptom that causes muscle spasms in a persons breathing airway that blocks air to the lungs
• Atopic or contact dermatitis are allergies that cause hives or dermatitis on the skin

Visiting an allergist could include:

• A complete history and physical exam
• Allergy testing to see what is causing your symptoms
• Education to help prevent allergies by avoiding them
• Medication to treat symptoms
• Allergy shots to alleviate symptoms

You should see an allergist if your allergies are causing chronic sinus infections, difficulty breathing, or the discomfort of sneezing, wheezing, or other symptoms that disrupt your life.

How To Treat Allergy Symptoms

Looking for relief? Genexa’s got you covered.

Regardless of how minor or how severe your allergy symptoms are, we know the discomfort and irritation they can bring. The best way to treat allergies is by using an antihistamine medication. That said, not all antihistamines are created equal. Some can cause marked drowsiness, and other medicines are full of inactive artificial ingredients that you dont need or want.

Thats why David Johnson and Max Spielberg started Genexa. Genexa is the first clean medicine brand, bringing you medicine that has the active ingredients you need without the artificial ones you dont need. Their Kids Allergy Care Organic Allergy & Decongestant is just one of their homeopathic remedies that can help clear up your little ones symptoms. It features their signature organic homeopathic blend to address common symptoms associated with hay fever and other respiratory allergies, making it a perfect choice if your child is having allergy troubles.

On the other hand, if you are the one struggling through your allergy season, they have you covered, too. Genexas Allergy Care Organic Allergy & Decongestant is a non-drowsy, homeopathic remedy that can help ease your allergy symptoms.

They work with a team of doctors and experts to ensure that all products are both quality and highly effective so that the end result is a medicine you can really trust to both work and give you just what you need and nothing you dont.

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.

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:

• Loratadine .
• Fexofenadine .
• Levocetirizine .

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

Decongestants: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 .

  Decongestants can increase blood pressure and cause headaches, trouble sleeping and irritability. Nasal decongestants can be addictive if used longer than five days. Be sure to talk to your provider before taking them.

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.

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 dont 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. 

Its 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 wont actually be caused by the allergies.

• RELATED: The Best Allergy Medicines and Treatments for Kids

Causes Of Pollen Allergies

For all allergies, the immune system reacts to specific allergy trigger molecules . Your immune system produces antibodies that detect the allergen and cause inflammatory reactions and the release of a chemical called histamine. Histamine causes hay fever symptoms, such as itchy and watery nose and eyes, and sneezing.In general, pollen from grass, weeds and trees that are not native to Australia cause more allergies than native plants. Wattle is rarely a cause of allergic symptoms, although people can think it is the cause of their hay fever symptoms.In Victoria, inland areas tend to have higher pollen counts and northerly winds can bring pollens from inland regions to the coastal areas, including Melbourne. In contrast, the east coast of Australia often has less pollen, because winds tend to blow in from the sea and the Great Dividing Range protects the coast from inland winds. In South Australia and Western Australia, levels of pollen in the air vary, depending on wind direction.

Care Advice For Nose Allergies Or Hay Fever

Healthy Indoor Air Quality Can Help You Manage Your Asthma And Allergies Overall

If ragweed pollen season drives you to spend more time indoors, pay attention to your indoor air quality. Indoor air is often more polluted than outside air. Poor indoor air quality can make your asthma and allergies worse. Combine poor indoor air quality with ragweed pollen, and you may be downright miserable.

The following can affect your indoor air quality:

• Allergens, like dust mites, pet dander, cockroaches, and mold
• Scents, chemicals, and volatile organic compounds
• Outdoor air pollution

Use our interactive Healthy Home Checklist to find where allergens, triggers, and irritants can hide. Then follow the steps to improve your indoor air.

Some products can help you improve and maintain good indoor air. The asthma & allergy friendly® Certification Program helps you find products that have been scientifically tested in labs and meet strict standards. These products have proven that they effectively remove or reduce your exposure to asthma and allergy triggers. Through our program, youll find CERTIFIED vacuum cleaners, air filters, bedding, flooring, and more.

What About Coronavirus Prevention

The best way to avoid the coronavirus is to avoid the droplets of infected people.

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for a full 20 seconds. Be sure to wash under nails and between webbing in your fingers.
• Use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol when soap and water arent available.
• Stay 6 feet away from people, and wear a mask when in public.
• Disinfect surfaces regularly.
• Avoid touching your face.

Can Allergies Raise Your Temperature And Cause Fever

People rarely experience a fever as a result of allergies. However, depending on the allergen and the symptoms you develop when your immune system reacts, you can develop a fever. Fever is usually caused by infection; therefore, fever as a symptom is rare without an infection.

Fever is seen in people with nasal congestion due to an allergen. The congestion traps microorganisms like bacteria in your nose, predisposing you to sinusitis. Sinus inflammation is referred to as sinusitis and is associated with fever. Therefore, such fever can last for a few days and requires antimicrobial treatment. In such a case, treating sinusitis will help relieve you from the fever, as is seen with other infections that cause fever. People whose allergy does not cause nasal congestion rarely experience fever as a symptom of an allergic reaction.

What’s Coming Out Of Their Nose

The kind of stuff clogging up your childâs nose is another possible clue.

If itâs clear and watery, itâs more likely to be allergies. If itâs green and thick, think infection or virus.

You can try to un-stuff their nasal passages with a saltwater or saline solution. If you have an infant, use a suction bulb. You could also try an over-the-counter nasal steroid, like fluticasone or triamcinolone acetonide , for older children, McMorris says.

The Difference Between Allergies & Colds:

When you have a bacterial or viral infection, your body will trigger an immune response. Chemicals called pyrogens, which are produced by white blood cells, cause the temperature in the body to rise. This is a normal inflammatory response that helps to kill off heat-sensitive bacteria.

Allergens, on the other hand, set off no such reaction. During an allergic reaction, your body releases histamines, which make you sneeze and cough. Histamines are only released during allergic reactions, which is why you shouldnt take anti-histamine medication for the common cold or flu.

What Is Hay Fever What Are Hay Fever Symptoms And Signs

Hay fever affects up to 30% of all people worldwide, including up to 10% of U.S. children under 17 years of age and 7.8% of U.S. adults. The medical cost of allergic rhinitis is approximately $3.4 billion, mostly due to the cost of prescription medications. These figures are probably an underestimate because many of those affected may attribute their discomfort to a chronic cold. Although childhood hay fever tends to be more common, this condition can occur at any age and usually occurs after years of repeated inhalation of allergic substances. The incidence of allergic disease has dramatically increased in the U.S. and other developed countries over recent decades.

Symptoms of allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, frequently include

• nose, eye itching, and
• excess tear production in the eyes.

Postnasal dripping of clear mucus frequently causes a cough. Loss of the sense of smell is common, and loss of taste sense occurs occasionally. Nose bleeding may occur if the condition is severe. Eye itching, redness, and excess tears in the eyes frequently accompany the nasal symptoms. The eye symptoms are referred to as “allergic conjunctivitis” . These allergic symptoms often interfere with one’s quality of life and overall health.

Many people with allergies have difficulty with social and physical activities. For example, concentration is often difficult while experiencing allergic rhinitis symptoms.

Ragweed Season Peaks In Mid

Ragweed starts pollinating as early as July in some states, especially states in the South. But for most of the country, it appears in August and peaks in mid-September. Ragweed pollen can stick around as late as November, depending on where you live.

If you are allergic to ragweed, learn when ragweed pollen starts in your location. Talk to a board-certified allergist about ways to prepare for the season before it begins to make it easier to manage your symptoms when the pollen peaks.

What Can Cause Allergy Symptoms And Fever

Viral infections can cause a person to develop allergy-like symptoms alongside a fever.

One notable indication that a person has allergies is that allergy symptoms last only as long as people are experiencing an exposure to the allergen. Other causes, such as the or common cold, can last much longer.

Additionally, allergies cause a person to experience itchy and watery eyes. This does not typically occur alongside a cold or flu.

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.