Allergies & Stress

Allergies are caused by antibody distress responses to environmental substances that are not generally harmful to those without allergic reactions to them. Stress in the form of nervousness, irritability, depression, panic attacks and fatigue can aggravate or trigger allergy symptoms.

Significance

• Allergic individuals can suffer from more frequent symptoms due to the body's histamine responses to emotional and physical stress, leading to inflammation throughout the body and chronic reactions.

Considerations

• Stress puts added pressure on the immune system, causing the body to release antibodies that aggravate hives and eczema, which spread due to nervous itching and emotional distress.

Effects

• Allergic asthma can be induced by stress, becoming more pronounced due to hyperventilation, high blood pressure and heart palpitations caused by anxiety.

Warning

• Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction, and symptoms can progress rapidly when stress-induced panic occurs during the reaction, leading to hives that can swell to the point that they obstruct the airway, which can cause suffocation.

Prevention/Solution

• Individuals with allergies and allergic asthma that worsen under stress may consider implementing routine breathing exercises, yoga, daily fitness, vitamin B supplements and counseling.

Treatments

• Antihistamines, bronchodilators, corticosteroids, immunizations and emergency epinephrine shots can relieve allergy symptoms, while prescription antianxiety or depression medications may benefit stress-related allergies.