Fatigue is an overlooked symptom plaguing spring allergy sufferers. Look to these over-the-counter and natural remedies for relief
Got fatigue and brain fog? Blame spring allergies.
People might not associate brain fog and fatigue with spring allergies, but these symptoms can make life just as miserable — or sometimes more — than the watery eyes, itchy noses and congestion we typically associate with reactions to pollen.
“It affects work performance and productivity. You’re just tired,” said Mansoor Amiji, a Northeastern University distinguished professor of pharmaceutical sciences, who is himself dealing with eye irritation and a runny nose from tree pollen.
According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, an association of medical professionals specializing in those fields, the fatigue and cognitive impairments that accompany seasonal allergies can lead to trouble making decisions, irritability and reduced hand-eye coordination, which in turn can contribute to school and work injuries and a greater risk of car crashes.
The symptoms that typically come to mind when thinking of allergies — congestion and post-nasal drip — can by themselves cause sufferers to toss and turn in bed, said Jenny Van Amburgh, Northeastern clinical professor in pharmacy and health systems sciences. “You can’t breathe as well at night, so you might have restless sleep,” she said.
None of this is about the pollen itself, but rather the series of events that is set off in our body when it comes in contact with pollen that causes allergic reactions, such as tree and grass pollens borne on the wind.
During an allergy attack, antibodies signal immune system cells known as mast cells to release the chemical histamine, which in turn triggers symptoms such as a runny nose intended to clear out the allergens.
Histamines also help regulate the sleep-wake cycle, which is where the fatigue might come into play. The release of histamines can lead “to disrupted or poor quality sleep, leaving you tired and groggy the next day,” says the website for Northeast Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, a physicians’ practice with several offices in Massachusetts. “Additionally, histamines may cause your blood vessels to dilate, resulting in decreased blood pressure and a drop in energy levels.”
Untreated allergies can lead to such a chronic loss of sleep that it affects people’s mental health, Amiji said.
Luckily for most allergy sufferers, there are several types of over-the-counter medications and non-pharmalogical interventions that can help manage allergic reactions and also minimize a histamine response, Amiji and Van Amburgh said.
Amiji considers over-the-counter oral antihistamines such as Zyrtec and Claritin a good line of defense. They work by blocking histamine receptors and preventing the release of histamine. Benadryl, a first-generation antihistamine, is also effective at curbing symptoms but it tends to cause sleepiness, Amiji said, adding that people who use it should take it at night.
Nasal corticosteroids such as Flonase or Nasacort are another line of defense, Amiji said. He said they work by blocking immune cells that are activated in reaction to allergens in the nasal passage. Blocking those cells prevents the release of histamines and other chemicals that cause allergic reactions.
Van Amburgh advises seasonal allergy sufferers to start with intranasal steroids. It’s best to use the sprays before symptoms even appear because it takes a while for them to have an effect, she said. “Start them before the allergy season, about a month before. Otherwise, it’s going to take two to four weeks for you to see the benefit.”
If you’ve waited until you’ve been plagued by maple or oak pollen to take Flonase or another intranasal steroid, give it time to take effect, Van Amburgh said.
In the meantime, consider taking Claritin to reduce allergy symptoms, she said. Add pseudoephedrine-based decongestants such as Sudafed as needed to clear stuffy noses and reduce sinus pressure.
Pseudoephedrine products are available without a prescription at the pharmacy counter in states such as Massachusetts.
Non-pharmacological interventions include using saline sprays to wash out their noses and wearing wraparound sunglasses to prevent allergens from getting in their eyes, Van Amburgh said.
Donning a mask while doing yardwork and using an air filter with a High-Efficiency Particulate Air, or HEPA, filter indoors can also help minimize contact with allergens, she said.
Amiji said that his family spends more time doing laundry during seasonal allergy seasons so that bedding is clean and free of allergens. “Otherwise I can’t sleep at night,” he said.
