One in every five Americans suffer from allergies, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Allergies occur when the immune system reacts to a foreign substance, known as an allergen, trying to attack the body. Allergies can occur from certain foods, hay fever, pollen, mold and medications. There are many symptoms of allergies, and it is common to become tired when the body is reacting to an allergen.
Link Between Allergies and Fatigue
In an article in "USA Today," clinical neuropsychologist Paul Marshall declares a link between allergies, depression and fatigue. Marshall mentions these symptoms result from allergic reactions due to the release of proinflammatory cytokines. Specifically, these are proteins released by immune cells which rush to protect a person from an allergic reaction. Marshall states cytokines directly affect the central nervous system and release a chemical in the brain known to induce sickness, weakness, drowsiness and low mood.
Medication Allergies and Fatigue
Occasionally, when a person is allergic to a food such as eggs, the allergy is also associated with certain medicines, such as flu vaccines. Common allergies to medications include aspirin, codeine, penicillin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. According to the Allergy Associates of Utah, serious symptoms of allergic reactions to medications include nausea, seizures and vomiting. In turn, the immune system's response to an allergen can make one tired.
Hay Fever, Congestion and Fatigue
Allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, affects 40 to 50 million people suffering from nasal allergies, according to the Allergy Associates of Utah. Symptoms include runny nose, congestion, colds, coughs, sneezing and red, swollen eyes. When the immune system is exposed to these allergens, it produces histamine, which attaches to cells in your body causing swelling, mucous production and fatigue among the other hay fever symptoms.
Antihistamines
Allergies and fatigue can be alleviated in many ways, but the first step should be to avoid allergens. Since it is impossible to avoid every allergen, you can take antihistamines to relieve allergy symptoms. Antihistamines can be purchased without a prescription at drug stores and are used to prevent histamines from being released in the body. Ironically, Family Doctor states a major side effect of first-generation antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine, is sleepiness. However, second-generation antihistamines, such as loratadine and cetirizine, are much less likely to cause sleepiness, declares Family Doctor.
