Monday, March 25, 2024
HomeExclusiveWhy Are Allergies Worse In The Morning

Why Are Allergies Worse In The Morning

I Have Chronic Abdominal Pain From Ibs What Things Can I Do On My Own To Manage My Pain

Explaining why allergies are so bad in North Texas

In managing chronic IBS pain there is benefit from taking an active role, and working in partnership with a knowledgeable healthcare provider.

Here is a Ten Step Plan of self-management things you can do to help reach your treatment goals:

  • Acceptance
  • Accept that the pain is there
  • Learn all you can about your condition and its management knowledge is therapeutic
  • Get Involved
  • Take an active role in your care
  • Develop with your provider a partnership in the care
  • Understand your providers recommendations and maintain an open dialogue
  • Set Priorities
  • Look beyond your symptoms to the things important in your life
  • Do what is important
  • Eliminate or reduce what is not important
  • Set Realistic Goals
  • Set goals within your power to accomplish
  • Break a larger goal into small manageable steps
  • Take the time to enjoy the success of reaching your goals
  • Know Your Rights with your Healthcare Provider
  • To be treated with respect
  • To ask questions and voice your opinions
  • To disagree as well as agree
  • To say no without guilt
  • Recognize and Accept Emotions
  • Mind and body are connected
  • Strong emotion affects pain
  • Stress lowers pain threshold and increases symptoms
  • Relaxation helps reclaim control over your body and reduces pain
  • Examples of relaxation options to consider :
  • Deep breathing exercises
  • Diverts attention from your symptoms
  • Increases your sense of control in life
  • Helps you feel better about yourself
  • Refocus
  • With these steps your symptoms are no longer the center of your life
  • What Are The Symptoms Of Morning Allergies

    Symptoms that often start as soon as you breathe in an allergen include:

    • Sneezing over and over again, especially after you wake up in the morning.
    • A runny nose.
    • A tickle in your throat or coughing caused by post-nasal drip.
    • Watery, itchy eyes. This may be allergic pink eye.
    • Itchy ears, nose, and throat.

    Understanding Whats Behind Those Morning Symptoms

    All though your first thought may be that youâre allergic to your bed, and in some crazy twist you are. Well, youâre allergic to whatâs inside your bed â dust mites. These mites are microscopic arachnids that feed on your dead skin cells that readily flake off while you sleep, making your bed the ideal dinner platter. Their ideal environment is someplace protected from light, warm and humid. Again, your bed is a perfect fit!

    Your bed is their home. Itâs where they feed, sleep and repopulate. Itâs also where they excrete waste and where the dead begin to decay. And these last two substances are what have been causing your morning allergy symptoms.

    Every night as you toss and turn the dust mitesâ microscopic waste is released in the air and then inhaled. Now that they have access to your bloodstream they can spread throughout your system and lead to an allergic reaction. This response is otherwise referred to as having dust allergies.

    Don’t Miss: How To Prevent Mold Allergies

    What Triggers Your Allergy Symptoms

    If you have respiratory allergies, you may experience a collection of symptoms that all start with your nose perhaps you take a breath and a substance like pollen or dust lands on the lining of your nose. These substances, called allergens, may cause a release of chemicals that produce symptoms as your body attempts to protect you from what it perceives as a threat. This is an immune response. Allergens include pollen, dander, mold or dust mite droppings all pollutants you may find in your home and bedroom.

    Try To Figure Out What Your Specific Issue Is

    Allergies Worse Morning And Night

    I recommend walking around your bedroom and picturing in your mind exactly what the situation is like first thing in the morning. Take an educated guess on what you think is causing your issues. then proceed and see if you can target the issue and potentially fix your morning allergy problem .

    Keep a Diary or Log to Track Morning Allergies

    You may be unsure what is exactly causing your morning allergies. I recommend that you keep a notebook handy and write down exactly what is happening each time you have an attack. Here are some questions you might ask :

    • Is there a particular smell in the air? Is there a new scent that you never smelled before? Did you recently switch soaps or perfumes?
    • Are my allergies only flaring up during a particular season? If your morning allergies only happen in the Spring through the early Fall, the biggest culprit may be pollen. Based on the current season you may be able to pinpoint the exact type of pollen bothering you.
    • Were there any recent changes/additions to my bedroom area? Maybe you just got a new pet or someone bought you some new exotic clothes. Sometimes even a slightly different fragr
    • Itchy eyes or even itchy ears, nose, or throat

    Read Also: How To Get Rid Of Face Allergy Naturally

    Lying Down Worsens Congestion

    Gravity is not your friend when it comes to your bedtime allergies. “When you lie down, basically everything in your nose starts dripping down your throat,” explained Dr. Parikh. Due to the anatomy of the nose and throat, that can lead to more or worse coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing than when you’re standing upright, said Dr. Parikh.

    Propping yourself up with some extra pillows might help ease congestion and post-nasal drip while you sleep.

    How To Prevent Morning Allergies

    You might not have to take every step mentioned above.

    “It’s a good idea to get tested to see what you’re allergic to,” Dr. Eitches says. Is it dust mites? Outdoor pollen? Dogs? “Learn what puts you over the edge so you can do some smart environmental control.”

    Identifying those triggers means you can avoid taking unnecessary steps if you don’t have to. For instance, if you’re allergic to dust mites, not dander, maybe it’s still OK for your pup to spend the night with you.

    Also, allergy medication might take an hour or two to kick in. And it can be a particularly miserable hour. “If you take at night, you might find that you’re a little clearer when you wake up in the morning,” Dr. Eitches says.

    Antihistamines like cetirizine and levocetirizine can be partially sedating, and so these are good candidates for moving to nighttime use, he says.

    That said, avoid any that end with a “D” , because they may prevent you from falling asleep â these should be taken in the morning, Dr. Eitches says. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms and timing, and they can help you determine the right medication schedule.

    Related Reading

    Also Check: Can Allergies Cause Bloody Nose

    Tips To Reduce Allergies At Night

    To reduce allergies at night, keep your surrounding allergen-free.

    • Wash bedsheets on a weekly basis. Deep clean the entire bedroom and carpets and wipe down hidden surfaces every month to get rid of mold, dust mites, and pet dander.
    • Use dust mite covers on the bed to keep dust mites away.
    • Invest in anti-allergy bedding that uses specifically manufactured fibers to keep allergies at bay.
    • Use high-efficiency particulate absorbing filters. Air purifiers are recommended as a way to remove allergens. Take over-the-counter medicines that contain histamines.

    Keep Your Furniture As Dust

    Allergy aggravation: What can we do about it?

    Most people are surprised by the amount of debris and dust collected in nooks and crannies in the room. Avoid heavy drapes and upholstered furniture in the bedroom. Avoid floor-to-floor carpet, if possible. Use tightly-woven fabric for your sheets and pillowcase to prevent trapping of dust. Avoid dust collectors, such as stuffed animals, fake flowers, and old books in the bedroom.

    You May Like: Can Seasonal Allergies Cause Eye Styes

    Plan Time Outdoors Wisely

    Many popular weather apps and websites provide allergy forecasts or pollen counts. On the National Allergy Bureau website there is a list of more than 80 stations throughout the United States that provide more detailed daily pollen updates based on different species of plants. You can select the station closest to you and receive notifications for the particular pollen allergy you have.

    Pollen counts tend to be at their highest between early morning and midmorning, as well as on hot, dry, windy days, Dr. Chong said. If you can exercise indoors during those times or run errands later in the evening, you will reduce the amount of pollen you inhale, she added.

    If you are prone to allergy symptoms and have to go out in the morning or do yardwork, wear a high-quality N95 mask the kind you may already have for protection against the coronavirus. This will help filter out pollen.

    Ways To Prevent Morning Allergy Triggers

    The good news is that there are steps you can take to limit your morning allergy symptoms. Some things to try include:

    • Keep windows closed: When pollen counts are high, close windows and use air-conditioning instead.
    • Take allergy medicine: When taken before exposure to pollen, antihistamines can keep your allergy symptoms at bay.
    • Shower before bed: Showering will remove pollen from your skin and hair. Be sure to put on clothing that has not been exposed to allergens before getting into bed, too.
    • Lower humidity: This can help reduce dust mite allergies and indoor mold allergies.
    • Clean regularly: Cover your mattress and pillows with special dust mite covers and wash your bedding in hot water every week. In addition, dust hard surfaces and vacuum carpets, especially those in the bedroom.
    • Replace carpet with hard flooring: Pet dander and dust mites love to hide in carpets. If you cant replace all carpets in the home, start with the one in your bedroom.

    Don’t Miss: Can You Get High Off Of Benadryl Allergy

    What About Allergies To Pets

    The “dander,” or skin shedding, of an animal is more potent in causing allergic reactions than the animal’s fur or hair. In addition to the skin sheddings and fur, allergic reactions can occur to the saliva and/or urine of cats, dogs, horses, and rodents.

    The scope of the animal allergy problem is enormous. These allergies are believed to affect up to 20% of North Americans and are directly related to the increasing popularity of pets, particularly cats and dogs. Studies have shown that dog allergens were found in all examined homes in the U.S., even those without family dogs. Likewise, almost all homes were shown to contain cat allergens.

    Cats

    The most well-known indoor allergy is probably due to Felis domesticus, the domesticated cat. The main allergen is a protein that is produced by the sweat glands in the skin and appears in the skin flakes or dander that are shed from cats. The allergen is also found to a lesser degree in the fur, saliva, and urine of cats. Even with a past history of tolerance to cats, it is possible for a person with an allergic tendency to develop a sensitivity to cats after constant exposure.

    Allergy facts

    • An estimated 30% of households in North America have at least one cat.
    • About 6% of the U.S. population is allergic to cats.

    Dogs

    Horses

    Allergy alert

    Remember that a trip to the barn not only exposes you to animal dander, but also to mold, pollen, and lots of other irritants as well. If you suffer from asthma, be careful and be prepared.

    Birds

    Tips To Help Manage Your Allergy Symptoms

    Morning Allergies: Causes, Treatment, and Prevention

    1. Give your sinuses a bath.Nasal irrigation is another option whose effectiveness is backed by research. Try it yourself: Use a neti pot or bulb syringe and pour a saline solution in one nostril, letting it drain out the other. You will feel less congested and may need less medication.

    2. Plan time outdoors wisely.Pollen counts tend to be at their highest between early morning and midmorning, as well as on hot, dry, windy days. Stay indoors during those times and go out later in the evening, to reduce the amount of pollen you inhale. You can also try wearing a face mask when you go outside.

    3. Reduce pollen at home.Avoid bringing pollen back inside after youve been outdoors by taking your shoes off, changing your clothes and showering. In order to sleep better, you can try zipping up your mattress and pillows in hypoallergenic cases and wash your bedding in hot soapy water.

    4. Find medication that works for you.It may take some trial and error to find the right allergy medication regimen for you talk to your doctor to create a plan of action. Nasal steroid sprays are usually recommended as a first line of treatment antihistamines and decongestants can offer some immediate relief. For a longer-term solution, consider allergy immunotherapy.

    You should also talk to your doctor about prescription options if you have already tried several over-the-counter allergy medicines. An allergy specialist can help you formulate a plan for your specific allergies ahead of time.

    Recommended Reading: Can Allergies Cause Shortness Of Breath

    How Can I Sleep Better With Allergies

    How Can You Sleep Better With Allergies?

  • Use an Air Purifier. …
  • Close Your Doors and Windows. …
  • Keep Your Furniture as Dust-Free as Possible. …
  • Keep Pets Out of Your Bedroom. …
  • Change Up Your Laundry Routine. …
  • Shower Before Bed. …
  • Take Allergy Medication at Night. …
  • Talk to Your Doctor.
  • What Are Other Causes Of Allergy Symptoms In The Morning

    Allergy symptoms in the morning arent only caused by allergens, though. Nonallergic rhinitis can also trigger morning allergy symptoms like congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and coughing.

    Allergic rhinitis and nonallergic rhinitis cause similar symptoms. The difference is that nonallergic rhinitis doesnt involve the immune system. Rather, other irritants and factors trigger allergy-like symptoms. These factors include:

    Also Check: Do Allergies Cause Post Nasal Drip

    Can Nasal Saline Rinses Help Reduce Allergies

    Arizona-based pulmonologist Paul Enright, MD, has had allergies since childhood. During allergy seasons, when his nose gets clogged with mucus and he has postnasal drainage, he uses a salt water sinus rinse, often during an evening shower, in order to keep his nasal passages clear throughout the night.

    It’s important to note that, according to the CDC, if you are irrigating, flushing, or rinsing your sinuses, use distilled, sterile, or previously boiled water to make up the irrigation solution. Itâs also important to rinse the irrigation device after each use and leave open to air dry.

    “If your nose is clogged, you have to breathe through your mouth all night. This eliminates the natural air conditioning function of the nose and may cause restless sleeping,” Enright says.

    When grass and weed pollen levels are high in Arizona, to reduce inflammation and congestion in his nose, he also uses a prescription nasal corticosteroid spray about 1/2 hour after the sinus rinse.

    “It’s important to point nose sprays towards the center of your head, not towards your eyebrows. The sinuses and inner ears drain deep inside your nose, and that’s where you want the nose spray to be concentrated for maximum benefit.” Enright also recommends drinking more water, which works to thin mucus. Thin mucus does not stick to the back of the throat and cause postnasal drip. You’ll know that you’re well-hydrated if you’re hitting the bathroom frequently.

    Allergy Symptoms And Signs

    Why high winds may worsen your allergies this Spring

    Allergies are exaggerated immune responses to environmental triggers known as allergens. Allergies are very common, and about 50 million people in North America suffer from allergies. One of the most common forms of allergy is allergic rhinitis , which produces symptoms like:

    • nasal congestion,
    • Houseplants

    Read Also: Can You Take Allergy Medicine Before Covid Vaccine

    Find Medication That Works For You

    Several over-the-counter and prescription medications can help with allergy symptoms. Many doctors recommend nasal steroid sprays like Nasonex or Flonase as the first line of treatment, said Dr. Sandra Hong, an allergist at the Cleveland Clinic.

    But they may take a few days or weeks to provide relief from stuffiness and sneezing, so it is best to begin using them early in the season, before your symptoms become severe. Antihistamines whether sprays like Astelin pills like Allegra, Claritin or Zyrtec or eye drops like Optivar are other alternatives to take when needed, because they have a more immediate effect, she said.

    It takes some trial and error to find the best medication regimen. If patients have tried one medication and it doesnt seem to be working for them, they should absolutely try other types to see if theyre more effective, Dr. Hong said.

    Why Are My Allergies Worse In The Morning And At Night

    Do you wake up with morning headaches, feeling congested, or sniffling? Do you struggle to go to sleep at night because of sneezing and wheezing?

    If you have seasonal or environmental allergies, your symptoms may come and go at different times of the day. You may experience worse nighttime allergies, morning allergies, or even both.

    Hereâs why your allergies may be worse at night or in the morning, and what you can do about it.

    Recommended Reading: What Is The Reason For Skin Allergy

    Keep Your Sleeping Environment Allergen Free

    You need your sleep, so, the room you sleep in needs to be cleaned often to remove pollen, dust mites, and other allergens. Vacuuming under the bed helps in this effort by removing allergens living underneath it. A home-remedy that helps keep your bedroom allergen free is to wipe down hard flooring, molding and the walls near your bed with white vinegar. Mold is an allergen that enjoys living on dark walls and floors. Dehumidifiers can help keep relative humidity at the recommended levels of 30-50% and air conditioning to maintain temperatures at 70 degrees F or below will retard dust mite and mold growth. Hardwood flooring is best.

    Avoid Outdoor Activities In The Middle Of The Day

    Why Do I Wake Up With Bad Allergies

    Midday can be an uncomfortable time for those with a pollen allergy, so you might find it best to stay indoors and keep windows closed.

    If your pollen allergy is linked to asthma, you might choose to forgo outdoor exercise in early afternoon when counts are high. Allergens in the air can sometimes aggravate asthma, so you might prefer to wait until conditions cool or hit the gym instead8.

    Our guide to allergies and exercise is filled with tips for reducing your exposure to pollen in the great outdoors such as wearing wraparound sunglasses, breathing through your nose and showering right away when you are back indoors.

    You May Like: How Did Peanut Allergies Start

    RELATED ARTICLES

    Most Popular