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Why Do My Allergies Act Up At Night

Revisit Your Allergy Treatment

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Changing the type of allergy medication you take or the time you take it may improve your sleep. For example, try taking a dose of medication at night so that it works while you sleep.

If you currently use an over-the-counter antihistamine and you still struggle with sleep problems, talk with us about prescription medications. We can help you find more effective options.

When you still have trouble sleeping despite these efforts, it may be time to consider allergy shots or sublingual immunotherapy. Both treatments give you regular doses of your allergen. Over time, your immune system becomes desensitized, and you stop having allergic reactions.

You dont need to let allergies ruin your sleep when help is available from us at Rheumatology and Allergy Institute of Connecticut. Call the nearest office or request an appointment online today.

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Is It Possible To Control Indoor Allergens

You can control indoor allergens with cleaning and reducing allergens in your home. The main sources of indoor allergens are:

  • Mattresses that arent in allergy covers
  • Pillows and bedding you cant wash in hot water

There may be more allergens on surfaces than in the air. Surface allergens enter the air easily when you disturb them by dusting or sitting.

Its Not Your Imagination: Allergies Get Worse At Night

Only 17% of people will allergies say theyre really happy with their sleep. Thats not enough people getting optimal rest.

While you might spend your days blowing your nose or wiping your eyes, it always seems as if lying in bed makes your symptoms worse.

And youre not wrong.

There are quite a few reasons why allergies get worse at night. Here are a few of the most common offenders:

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What Causes Nighttime Allergies

You may spend the day with few or no allergy symptoms, only to experience sniffles and itchy eyes when you go to bed. Many triggers of morning allergies can cause bedtime allergies, as well.

For example, if your bedroom has more dust mites than elsewhere in your home, they may trigger symptoms as soon as you get into bed. If you donât spend as much time with your pet during the day, your furry friend may not cause your allergies to act up until they have settled into bed with you at night.

Unfortunately, cockroaches may be another possible cause of nighttime allergies, especially in urban homes. Like dust mites, they can shed saliva, feces, and even body parts that trigger allergy symptoms. They can even cause sinus or ear infections. According to ACAAI, the National Pest Management Association says that 63 percent of all U.S. homes contain cockroach allergens, but this number may be 78 percent to 98 percent in urban areas. Cockroaches may enter the home through windows and cracks in the walls or doors.

While pollen counts tend to be higher in the morning, it can also cause nighttime allergies. Warm temperatures push pollen into the air, but cooler evening air means that pollen falls back down to cover outdoor surfaces at night. If you collect pollen in your hair or clothes over the course of the day, it can cause bedtime allergy symptoms once youâre in for the night.

Animals Sharing Your Room

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Yes, I know that if youre a pet owner its near impossible to keep Max or Fluffy out of your bedroom even if you move them they often find a way to get back in! However, as they explore your room and sleep in your bed they are spreading their dander around. Dander consists of animal fur, urine and saliva and it is this rather than the animal itself that can bring on allergy symptoms at night.

Top tip: Keep your bedroom door shut to all pets! Also if youve been to a friend or family members house where there are pets make sure you shower and change your clothes as soon as you get in to prevent spreading dander around your home.

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Which Type Of Allergies Can Be Worse At Night

Different allergies may be worse at night than others. Depending on the type of allergy you usually suffer from during the day, your experience with nighttime allergies can vary.

Hay fever: Hay fever is a type of seasonal allergy associated with exposure to pollen from grass, trees and weeds. People who have hay fever may find that they are suffering more at night, possibly because of exposure throughout the day or surprisingly, the evening hours. As mentioned earlier, researchers have found that certain types of pollen tend to fall from higher up in the atmosphere closer to ground level during the cool hours after the sun sets. There could also be pollen in the bedroom, either from grains that have fallen from your hair or skin and onto bedding, or from dust that has come into the room from outside.

Pet dander: Many people have pets who sneak into their beds at night to cozy up near their best friends for a few hours of the night. As a result, beds tend to have higher concentrations of pet dander. Even if you are not actively inviting your pet to sleep with you, pet dander in your bed sheets may be triggering worse pet dander allergic reactions at night.

Mold: Mold thrives in dark places, such as under and behind your bed. These are also places people tend to seldom check and clean. Worsening mold allergies at night might be as a result of a moldy sleeping environment.

Make Your Bedroom An Allergen

Focus on keeping your bedroom free of allergens. Airborne allergens collect on bedding, under beds and dressers, and on curtains. Wash your bedding frequently using hot water, put allergy covers on your pillows and mattress, and routinely dust the furniture and vacuum the floor.

It also helps to eliminate certain fabrics because they harbor dust, pollen, and pet dander. If possible, get rid of carpeting and curtains and instead use hardwood flooring and blinds that are easy to clean.

Take your clothes off before you go into the bedroom to be sure you dont carry outdoor allergens into the room. Allergens in your hair carry over to your pillow and trigger your symptoms. The best way to solve that problem is by showering every night.

And were sorry to say that if youre allergic to pet dander, you should keep animals out of your bedroom.

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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.

Is It Allergies Or A Cold

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Sometimes it can be hard to tell the difference between allergies and the common cold. There are more than a hundred strains of cold viruses. Each tends to become widespread at certain times of the year, which is why you may mistake a cold for a seasonal allergy. Allergies occur at the same time every year and last as long as the allergen is in the air . Allergies cause itching of the nose and eyes along with other nasal symptoms. Colds last about one week and have less itching of the nose and eyes.

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What Triggers Nighttime Allergy Symptoms

There are multiple potential triggers for nighttime allergy symptoms. They include indoor allergens such as:

These allergens are present in the bedroom, stick to your clothing or bedding and cause allergy symptoms when you are exposed to them or go out. It is the same way for pollen. If you do not wash your hands immediately after spending time outside or change your clothes and shoes, you can face allergy symptoms when you lie down for sleep.

Purchase An Antimicrobial Mattress

A mattress is often an attractive environment for microorganisms like dust mites and dander to spread and multiply.

Polysleep has designed and manufactured an antimicrobial foam mattress.

A ventilated viscoelastic hybrid foam, ISO 207443 certified, ensures good air circulation. Additionally, a micro-perforated foam helps the mattress breathe naturally.

This Polysleep mattress offers a healthier and safer sleep surface.

Our antimicrobial mattress is resistant to allergens, mold, bacteria, and dust mites.

It inhibits or kills the growth of these common household microorganisms, providing the user with a hygienic sleeping surface each night.

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Why Do My Allergies Get Worse At Nighttime

Do you live with the effects of allergies in your life? Its challenging for people with allergies to maintain a normal sense of well-being, especially if they live in areas with high levels of air pollutants.

All types of air pollutants set off allergy attacks, from natural to synthetics, that cause a rise in allergic responses. Organic compounds like smoke and pollen cause severe reactions during certain seasons throughout the year. Industrial pollution and VOCs are gaseous chemicals that also pollute the air inside and outside the home.

Allergy attacks differ in the physiological repose people receive.

The intensity and duration of the attack might be for a few minutes or last for hours. During the day, we come in contact with several allergens that may cause allergic repose. However, many people notice that their allergies get worse at night instead of getting better. Why is that?

This article looks to unpack the information you need to understand why allergy responses worsen in the nighttime.

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Tips For Reducing Night Time Allergies

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You can do several things to help diminish your nighttime and early morning allergies, returning your sleep to a restful state.

There are several cleaning tactics that you can start integrating in your monthly, weekly, and daily routines. If you are allergic to pollen, wash your hair at the end of every day to remove pollen collecting during the day and prevent it from ending up on your pillow. You should also keep your windows closed if possible to keep pollen from coming indoors. Try to wash your bed sheets once a week to remove dust mites, pollen, and pet dander. Between cleaning, using a dust mite cover on your bed can help keep dust mites away from you. Do a deep cleaning of your entire bedroom on a monthly basis, cleaning carpets and wiping down hidden surfaces where mold may be lurking.

Air purifiers are often recommended as a way to remove allergens. Research has shown that multiple interventions, including using an air purifier placed right by the bed in the sleep breathing zone may help reduce their levels. Traditional air filters can trap pollutants on filters, though Molekule air purifiers go beyond simply trapping pollutants to destroying them at the molecular level.

Sleep is an important part of feeling healthy and performing your best. Nighttime allergies can come in the way of restful sleep. By understanding how allergens work and following the tips above, you may find yourself more refreshed in the morning.

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What Triggers Nighttime Allergies

Nighttime allergies are triggered by a number of factors. Most often, nighttime allergies are caused by a buildup of allergens present in your sleeping area including dust mites in your bed, mold in the dark crevices of your bed frame, or pet dander on your comforter from your furry friend.

But, not all nighttime allergy symptoms are caused by allergens physically brought into your home. Sometimes, allergens invade your space accidentally through open windows, your HVAC unit, or through open doors.

Stop Counting Sheep And Get Proper Sleep With Balloon Sinuplasty

If youve lost more nights than you can count to sinus issues caused by sinusitis, allergies, or even a deviated septum, it may be time to consider balloon sinuplasty.

During the procedure, a small balloon is inserted into your sinus cavities through your nasal passageways. When these balloons are expanded, healthy drainage is restored.

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Enjoying That Fresh Air Even With Seasonal Allergies

While it may seem like a drag to keep your windows closed, its a precaution that will help your allergy symptoms! And just because you have to deal with seasonal allergies, that doesnt mean you have to cut yourself off from outside entirely. You can still enjoy the outdoors on a beautiful day it just takes a little bit of planning. This planning includes checking the pollen count before going outside and taking a shower and washing your clothes as soon as you come in from outdoor activities.

Another way to ease the discomfort caused by seasonal allergy symptoms? Keep a box of Breathe Right® Nasal Strips on your bedside table for when allergy-induced nasal congestion is affecting your sleep. Effective, drug-free, and easy to apply, Breathe Right nasal strips open your nose to relieve snoring and nighttime nasal congestion due to allergies.

Move Your Shower To The Evening

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There are two types of people in this world: people who shower in the morning and people who shower in the evening. If you prefer a morning rinse, you may need to adjust your current routine to reduce or prevent exacerbated allergy symptoms through the night.

Our skin, our hair, and our clothes accumulate a lot of invisible allergens including pollen, various debris, pet dander, dirt, and more throughout the day. Incorporating showers into your nighttime routine can help to give you a clean slate when you enter your bed for a delightful slumber. Nighttime showers also reduce the amount of allergens exposed to your pillow, your sheets, and your comforter, which can improve your allergy symptoms through the night.

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Sleepy Time Tips To Decrease Allergies And Sleep Deprivation

During the deepest level of sleep, your body is revitalized and tissue damage is repaired. Sleep helps restore the body and strengthens the immune system. Yet difficulty sleeping may accentuate your allergy symptoms, making a congested nose feel even worse.

To get sounder sleep, it takes a combination of steps, including nasal saline irrigation, allergy medicine, and lifestyle measures, says Murray Grossan, MD, a Los Angeles-based ENT and author of The Sinus Cure. Grossan offers these tips:

Watch your diet and avoid drinking caffeine and alcohol for at least six hours before bedtime.

  • Check your medications, as some allergy medicines can cause insomnia or nervousness. The ingredients and side effects are listed on the medication label.
  • Consider taking an antihistamine like diphenhydramine at night. It causes drowsiness in many people.
  • Get regular exercise for sounder sleep, but don’t exercise at night as it may keep you keyed up. Try to exercise outside during the early morning hours to gain the extra benefit of natural sunlight. This helps to set your body’s natural circadian rhythm for regular sleep.
  • Keep the windows closed in the bedroom to keep out pollen and nighttime dampness.
  • Raise the head of your bed a few inches. The higher the head, the less the nasal congestion with allergies.

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What Are The Types Of Rhinitis

There are several types of rhinitis:

  • Allergic rhinitis is caused by allergies to substances called allergens.
  • Seasonal allergic rhinitis is sometimes called hay fever. But, people with seasonal allergic rhinitis do not have to have a fever and do not have to be exposed to hay to develop this condition. It is an allergic reaction to pollen from trees, grasses and weeds. This type of rhinitis occurs mainly in the spring and fall, when pollen from trees, grasses and weeds are in the air.
  • Perennial allergic rhinitis is caused by allergens that are present all year long. The primary causes of this type of rhinitis are allergies to dust mites, mold, animal dander and cockroach debris.
  • Non-allergic rhinitis is not caused by allergens. Smoke, chemicals or other irritating environmental conditions may provoke non-allergic rhinitis. Hormonal changes, physical defects of the nose and the overuse of nose sprays may also cause it. Sometimes medications cause it. Often, the cause of this type of rhinitis is not well understood. But it is common in patients with non-allergic asthma. The symptoms are similar to allergy symptoms.
  • Infectious rhinitis is possibly the most common type of rhinitis. It is also known as the common cold or upper respiratory infection . Colds occur when a cold virus settles into the mucous membranes of the nose and sinus cavities and causes an infection.

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Common Nighttime Allergy Symptoms

How do you know if youre having a bedtime allergic reaction? You might just think you tend to get stuffy when youre tired.

Allergies can manifest in a variety of different ways, but there are a few common symptoms that crop up for most allergy sufferers. If you recognize any of the following symptoms at bedtime, allergens might be to blame.

Laying Down Gravity And Blood Pressure

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Many patients are surprised to find out the role gravity and blood pressure play in making sinus issues worse.

While youre sitting up and standing throughout the day, your blood circulates through your body, with blood pressure and the forces of gravity influencing how easy it is for your blood to get to your head and sinuses. On top of that, when youre vertical, gravity also helps your sinuses drain down your esophagus and into your stomach.

When you lie down on the other hand, your body doesnt have to fight as much to deliver blood to your head. Increased blood flow in the blood vessels of your sinuses may result in sinus congestion, pressure, and pain. When that happens, gravity is no longer helping your sinuses drain, but instead increasing your chances of experiencing those same issues.

These nighttime sinus circumstances can affect those who have little to no sinus symptoms during the day. If youre also suffering from sinusitis, GERD, or allergies, these circumstances can get aggravate already inflamed blood vessels and exacerbate other related problems.

The Ideal Sleeping Position When Dealing With a Stuffy Nose

The best sleeping position for sinus drainage problems and other sinus issues is to sleep with your head propped up. Sleeping with your head propped up will help gravity naturally drain your sinuses and reduce the chance of excessive blood flow that can develop sinus congestion.

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