A common question people ask when talking about allergies is: can allergies cause fever? The simple answer is, no, allergies shouldn’t cause a fever [1].
However, the symptoms of allergies can make you vulnerable to a bacterial or viral infection. These infections have similar effects to allergies and lead to an elevated body temperature (hence your fever!).
Fact: When you come into contact with an allergen, your immune system releases histamine to shield itself from the unwanted particulate. This chemical is the real culprit behind your seasonal symptoms.
Common allergen triggers include:
- Tree pollen
- Dust mites
- Weed pollen
- Pet dander
- Grasses
- Mold spores
- Ragweed
So, should you experience a fever alongside your seasonal allergy symptoms, it’s usually because your chronic nasal congestion from these triggers has led to a sinus infection or flu. It then becomes tricky to know exactly what’s causing your runny nose.
With that in mind, it’s essential to reach a proper diagnosis so you can start an effective treatment plan that gets you on your way to recovery.
Let’s discuss what hay fever and allergies are, along with their most frequent symptoms. Then we’ll go into what could cause fever and allergy-like reactions to help you understand what may be happening in your body.
What Are Seasonal Allergies?
Seasonal allergies are an overreaction of your immune system when it comes into contact with a normally harmless substance like pollen or pet dander.
Your immune system keeps you healthy by fighting anything it thinks could put you in danger. This response could involve symptoms like inflammation, sneezing, and a sore throat.
You’re not alone if you experience hay fever. It’s estimated it affects over 10–30% of the global population.
Common Seasonal Allergy Symptoms
The symptoms you get with seasonal allergies depend on the trigger, and can include:
- Itchy and watery eyes
- Scratchy throat
- Sneezing
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Post-nasal drip
- Fatigue
- Congestion
Unlike other kinds of allergic reactions, which typically fade once you’re no longer exposed to the allergen, hay fever is often chronic. Your symptoms can last for a few weeks to months, especially during the spring.
Seasonal allergies aren’t the only plausible reasons for these symptoms. Food allergies may also cause the effects, accompanied by nausea and an upset stomach.
Should you have a worsening cough, joint pain, muscle aches, and a fever, you’re more likely to be experiencing a viral or bacterial infection.
Hay Fever Symptoms or a Cold?
Hay fever and the common cold are easy to confuse, because the conditions both cause irritation and inflammation of the nasal cavity. Here are the primary differences between them:
| Condition/Symptom | Hay Fever | Common Cold |
| Cause | Allergens | Viral infection |
| Onset | Upon exposure to the trigger | Symptoms start 1–3 days after exposure |
| Fever | Never | Low grade fever is common |
| Cough | Mild or absent | Common |
| Nasal discharge | Thin, watery | Thick, yellowish/green |
| Sneezing | Frequent | Less frequent |
| Headaches | Never | Common |
| Muscle aches | Never | Common |
| Duration | Weeks to months—as long as you’re exposed to the allergen | Colds may last around 3–14 days |
What Else Can Cause an Allergic Reaction and a Fever?
Viral infections can make you develop allergy-like symptoms and a fever. Here’s a breakdown of the two most common bacterial causes of congestion and high body temperatures.
1 – Sinusitis
Sinusitis occurs when the air-filled cavities in your skull become inflamed. These spaces secrete mucus that drains out of your nose when your body is healthy, helping to keep your nose clean and prevent infections.
When swollen, your sinuses can’t drain and liquid builds up. Bacteria then grows and causes an infection, resulting in sinusitis.
Other common symptoms of the illness include:
- Post-nasal drip
- Thick yellow or green nasal discharge
- Experiencing painful pressure in the facial cavities
- An unrelenting cough
- Halitosis
- Tiredness
- Toothaches
2 – Flu
Sinus infections aren’t always the cause of rises in body temperature. Flu can often trigger a high fever that lasts for up to four days, along with these other symptoms:
- Itchy, runny nose
- Fatigue
- Muscle weakness
- Cough
- Painful throat
- Body aches
- Chills
Tips for Managing Allergies Naturally
Once you’ve determined the allergen causing your symptoms, avoiding contact is the best way to prevent a reaction. Should dust or animal dander trigger your runny nose, vacuum your house to remove the particles and use air purifiers to clean the air.
Unfortunately, prevention isn’t always possible, making it necessary to use some natural allergy remedies. These effective options help manage your discomfort while improving your overall health and well-being.
You’ve likely used many over-the-counter (OTC) medications from your local pharmacy to ease your hay fever symptoms. However, some of these drugs come with a lengthy list of potential side effects, along with making you drowsy and dizzy.
Non-synthetic, holistic alternatives are often gentler on the body, while being more sustainable thanks to their herbal ingredients.
Antihistamines
A natural antihistamine, like D-Hist, contains targeted blends of antioxidants, enzymes, and botanicals that support the body through seasonal challenges. It actively promotes healthy nasal and sinus passages in individuals dealing with respiratory irritation.
D-Hist includes Quercetin, a bioactive flavonoid that may reduce allergy symptoms by maintaining healthy histamine production [2]. A study on the compound also found it lessens the respiratory side effects of hay fever by reducing inflammatory response in the airways [3].
Its vitamin and herb-enriched formula also incorporates Bromelain to enhance Quercetin absorption in the gut and support mucosal tissue health [4].
D-Hist Junior contains the same targeted nutrients as the adult capsules, but in a blend just for kids.
Each chewable tablet has smaller amounts of the ingredients to support health in children who have hay fever.
Decongestants
Decongestants are crucial for those who experience stuffy or runny noses during allergic reactions. These syrups and sprays prevent hay fever from turning into a sinus infection, and high body heat, by draining mucus and stopping microorganism growth.
An excellent natural alternative to traditional options is Biocidin TS Throat Spray. It includes botanicals like echinacea and goldenseal that reportedly reduce the severity of allergic rhinitis by increasing leukocyte levels [5].
The spray’s antimicrobial formula may also support healthy immune function by reducing harmful bacteria in the throat.
When to Seek Medical Treatment for a Fever
If you’re experiencing a fever, proper management begins with being proactive. Take consistent, accurate temperature readings to know when a low grade fever advances to one that requires medical treatment.
Normal body temperature ranges from around 97ºF–99ºF or more, but it often varies depending on how active you are or the time of day. You have a fever if your reading reaches or exceeds 100.4ºF [6].
Seek emergency medical attention if your fever surpasses 104ºF or you experience other symptoms like involuntary shivering, hallucinations, rashes, or muscle spasms.
Separating Allergy Facts From Fiction
Separating allergy facts from fiction is essential to treat this uncomfortable condition effectively. By debunking misconceptions and learning about hay fever, we can take steps to prevent and manage its symptoms and live healthier, happier lives.
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Resources
[1] https://acaai.org/allergies/symptoms/fever/
[2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23333628/
[3] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18026696/
[4] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29176974/
[5] https://www.huhs.edu/literature/Echinacea%20Goldenseal.pdf
[6] https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001982.htm
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