Allergies and hay fever can make you miserable. But can allergies cause fever and make the situation worse? While the term “hay fever” is pretty misleading, if you’re wondering if allergies can give you a fever, the answer is no.
But, depending on the severity of your allergies, your immune system could be compromised. This is possible due to a weakened immune system that allows other bacterial or viral infections to creep up on you. If this were the case, your allergies might indirectly lead to you getting a fever.
What’s Happening With Allergies in Your Body
Here’s how it works. When your body comes in contact with allergens, your body naturally releases histamines. These histamines will lead to side effects like coughing and sneezing — not fever. This would be your body’s allergic reaction.
On the other hand, when your body has an infection — bacterial or viral — your body’s immune response will deploy pyrogens. Pyrogens are made by white blood cells and act as an inflammatory response. They are what cause your temperature to rise as you get a fever.
So, can you get a fever from allergies? No. But keep reading to learn more about allergies, symptoms, and treatment options.
Common Allergy Symptoms
When you have allergies, some of the most common symptoms you will have include the following:
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Coughing
- Itchy or watery eyes
- Headaches and sinus pain
- Sore, scratchy throat
- Congestion
Notice that fever is not on the list. However, with symptoms above, it could lead to an infection. If this were the case, your body would not only be sending out histamines but also pyrogens. With both histamines and pyrogens in your system, you could have both allergies and a fever at the same time. This does not mean that the answer to “do allergies cause fever?” is yes. It just means your body is fighting two attacks on your immune system.
It’s also important to remember that seasonal factors will affect your allergies. Common hay fever triggers could be any of the following:
- Pollen — grass, tree, ragweed
- Pet dander
- Dust mites
- Seasonal fungi
Paying attention to your allergy triggers and symptoms will help you get the right diagnosis and find the right treatment for your allergies. This applies to common allergies, food allergies, or seasonal allergies.
Common Cold Symptoms
It might be hard to determine if you have a cold or allergies. Many of the symptoms can be similar. For example, you’ll still have a runny nose, but this time there will be a thick, yellow discharge. However, there are a few key differences. Here’s an overview of some common cold symptoms to watch out for:
- Body aches
- Mild fever
- Runny nose
- Congestion
- Sore throat
Distinguishing your symptoms will allow you to find the proper treatment and ultimately get well.
Top Reasons to Choose Immuno Labs
Whether you have questions like “can allergies cause a fever?” or you’re looking for allergy or fever causes, Immuno Labs wants to help. We are here for the providers and the patients, and our goal is to empower you with answers and knowledge. Get in contact with our team to learn more about what we do and how we help.
