Q

Thanks for asking about stress and allergies.

When allergy symptoms are out of control, people feel more stressed, because the brain does not tolerate difficult breathing through the nose or lungs.

Excessive drainage from the nose, itching and burning in the eyes, sneezing, fatigue, sleepiness, headaches, sinus congestion, coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath can make people feel miserable – even if they have no other reason to feel stressed out.

Muggy air and air pollution (ozone) also cause more stress since it is harder to breath in higher humidity.

But stress does not cause allergies.

Allergies are due to an over reaction of your immune system, with the production of immunoglobulin E (IgE).  Allergies affect nearly 30% of all Americans.  To prove how common it is, go into any pharmacy and you will find many different allergy remedies.  These allergy relief products are there because they are necessary, and because they are good for business.

Hope this helps.  Be well.

Steve Kagen, M.D.

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