Sickness and Digestive Irritation

Sickness and Digestive Irritation Overview

You would have known about many of the seasonal allergy symptoms that commonly include runny nose, sneezing, cough, wheezing,  eye irritation, and respiratory irritation. These symptoms can be from mild nasal irritation to some life-threatening reactions known as anaphylaxis.

Pollen, mold, dust and pet dander aren’t harmful to most people. Allergy symptoms happen when the immune system of a sensitive person overreacts to them and releases histamine and other chemicals.

Sickness And Other Conditions Related to Seasonal Allergies

Seasonal allergies mainly affect the nose, eyes and throat, but they can make you feel unwell overall. Hay fever can cause fatigue and poor sleep (ACAAI), and mucus draining down the back of the throat (postnasal drip) can upset the stomach for some people.

Less typical symptoms people sometimes notice during allergy season include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fatigue
• Bloating
• Headache
• Upset stomach

Hay fever does not cause fever or body aches. Vomiting, diarrhea, fever or significant stomach pain point to another cause, such as an infection or a food allergy, and should be checked by a doctor.

Treatment

There’s no proven diet that prevents seasonal allergies, but these steps can help you feel better:

• Treat the allergy itself: antihistamines and nasal steroid sprays reduce congestion and postnasal drip that can upset your stomach.
• Limit pollen exposure: keep windows closed, check pollen counts and shower after being outdoors.

Supplements such as probiotics are sometimes promoted for allergies, but the overall evidence is inconsistent (NCCIH). Talk to your doctor before taking supplements.

• Eat a balanced diet, stay hydrated and get enough sleep to support your overall health.

Fermented foods contain histamine, but there’s no good evidence that avoiding them helps pollen allergies for most people.

Digestive Irritation Related to Seasonal Allergy Sickness

Allergens can be inhaled, swallowed or touch the skin. Digestive symptoms after eating may point to a food allergy. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a different condition: it is not an allergy, and its exact cause isn’t known (NIDDK). Common digestive symptoms include:

• Gas
• Bloating
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Nausea
• Heartburn

If digestive symptoms reliably flare during pollen season, track them and talk to your doctor. Some people with pollen allergy get an itchy mouth or throat from certain raw fruits and vegetables (oral allergy syndrome).

Treatment

IBS can greatly affect daily life, but it can be managed with diet changes, stress management and medicines (NIDDK).

Your doctor may suggest over-the-counter or prescription medicines for symptoms such as diarrhea or constipation, and changes in what you eat. Ask before trying herbal remedies.

If testing confirms that allergies are part of the picture, treating them, including with immunotherapy for pollen allergy, can reduce symptoms.

Anaphylaxis Due To Seasonal Allergy Sickness

Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction. It is most often triggered by foods, medicines and insect stings; pollen rarely causes it. Symptoms usually start within minutes of exposure (Mayo Clinic). Warning signs may include:

• Red rash with hives
• Passing out
• Swollen throat or other parts of the body
• Trouble breathing
• Trouble swallowing
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Pale or bluish skin

Treatment

Use epinephrine right away and call 911. People at risk should carry two epinephrine devices, injected into the outer thigh, and always get emergency care afterward (MedlinePlus).

An allergist can identify your triggers with testing and help you build an emergency action plan.

Conclusion

Seasonal allergies mainly affect the nose and eyes but can leave you tired and run-down. Digestive symptoms are not typical, so get them checked.

Treat allergy symptoms with appropriate medicines and limit exposure to your triggers. See a doctor for persistent digestive symptoms, and call 911 for signs of anaphylaxis.

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Written by: Madiha Ather Hashmi (November 30, 2020)

This article is for general education and is not medical advice. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about your symptoms and before starting, stopping, or combining any medicine.

Allergy Sickness FAQs

Can seasonal allergies make you feel sick?

They can cause fatigue and poor sleep, but not fever or body aches (ACAAI).

Can allergies cause nausea?

Postnasal drip can upset the stomach for some people; vomiting or diarrhea suggest another cause.

Is IBS an allergy?

No. IBS is a digestive disorder, not an allergy (NIDDK).

When is it an emergency?

Trouble breathing, throat swelling or fainting after exposure: use epinephrine and call 911 (MedlinePlus).

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