Medically reviewed on August 1, 2022 by Karen Janson, M.D. To give you technically accurate, evidence-based information, content published on the Everlywell blog is reviewed by credentialed professionals with expertise in medical and bioscience fields.
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Is a stuffy, itchy, or runny nose, and a scratchy throat keeping you up all night? Between 20 and 30% of adults in America and Europe suffer from allergies. [1] But can allergies cause insomnia? Studies show that the answer is yes, they can. [2]
Whether you experience seasonal allergies or deal with them all year long, allergy-induced insomnia can be detrimental to your health. Insomnia affects your entire body system—sleep disturbance may lead to mental health issues like depression and insomnia, and it can increase your risk for serious physical diseases. [3]
There are many reasons why people have insomnia. Whether it’s stress-induced insomnia, a melatonin deficiency, or seasonal allergies, there are ways to manage it.
Your nightstand is covered in tissues; your throat is dried out from breathing through your mouth, and your eyes are swollen because you can’t stop rubbing them—they’re just too itchy.
If any of this sounds familiar, you have probably experienced a sleepless night due to an allergic reaction. That said, a variety of allergens might be keeping you up at night, but the prime suspects include:
Dust mites are incredibly tiny creatures who feed on the dead skin that flakes off your body each day. [4] Your house is a perfect place for them to live—it’s basically an infinite restocking pantry.
A dust mite allergy could appear as:
Dust mite allergies can also make asthma symptoms worse.
You have lots of options for addressing your dust mite allergies, from over-the-counter medicines to anti-dust mite strategies: [4]
Pets can be a wonderful source of joy and companionship in your life. Unfortunately, they can also be a regular source of allergies.
The dead skin, or dander, that flakes off your feline friend or canine companion (or even your horse, hamster, or bird) could be causing allergy symptoms similar to those of dust mites. In addition, pet dander allergy sufferers may experience:
Like dust mite allergies, pet dander allergies are likely to make your asthma symptoms more pronounced. [5]
If you suspect your pet’s dander is causing your allergies, there are things you can do to mitigate your allergies: [6]
Pollen is a hard-to-avoid allergen that causes hay fever, which may cause you to experience the following: [7]
Hay fever season typically starts in the early spring. Once again, these seasonal allergies will exacerbate any asthma symptoms and may cause a tightening of the chest, coughing, or shortness of breath. [8]
Pollen levels are usually reported in weather apps and on news stations. On high-pollen days, follow this advice to decrease your allergies: [9]
A stuffy nose, scratchy throat, and itchy eyes can prevent a night of restful sleep. Fortunately, an Everlywell Indoor & Outdoor Allergy Test helps you identify allergens that may be causing a night of tossing, turning, and sniffling.
Our at-home test measures your immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody reactivity to 40 common indoor and outdoor allergens, including:
Identify what’s keeping you up at night with Everlywell.
Can Allergies Make You Tired? How to Manage Allergy Fatigue and Sleep Better
What are the signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction?
Dust allergy symptoms and causes
References