Your Complete Guide to Dealing with Allergies in the Morning

Causes of morning allergies

Why do I wake up with allergies?

Oftentimes, allergy sufferers will wake up with allergies, sometimes even experiencing them every morning. These symptoms occur when the immune system overreacts to allergens in the air, causing swelling and inflammation in the nose.

Waking up with allergies every morning can be a difficult way to live, but understanding the causes of your allergies is a very important first step to relief. If you're experiencing morning allergies, it's important to identify the specific allergens or triggers that are causing your symptoms. This can involve keeping a diary of your symptoms and any potential exposures, or undergoing allergy testing to pinpoint the source of your allergies. Once you know what is causing your allergies, you can take steps to avoid or minimize your exposure to those allergens, and explore different treatment options to manage your symptoms.

Why are allergies worse in the morning?

There are many potential causes of morning allergies, but some of the most common include:

Mold: Mold is a type of fungus that grows in damp, warm environments. If your home has high humidity levels, mold can quickly grow and thrive on surfaces like walls, ceilings, and floors. When mold spores are released into the air, they can trigger allergic reactions in some people.

Mold can affect morning allergies by releasing tiny spores into the air. These spores can cause an allergic reaction in some people when they come into contact with the eyes, nose, or throat. When people sleep in a room with mold, they are likely to inhale the spores during the night, which can lead to morning allergy symptoms. The symptoms can be worse in the morning because people tend to spend more time in their bedrooms during the night, and the air in the room can become stagnant, allowing the mold spores to accumulate. Additionally, humidity levels tend to be higher at night, which can create an environment that is conducive to mold growth.

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Pet Dander: Pet dander is made up of tiny flakes of skin, hair, or feathers that pets shed. It can also come from the saliva or urine of pets. When people with allergies come into contact with pet dander, their immune systems can overreact and produce histamines, which cause allergy symptoms like sneezing, a runny nose, and itchy eyes.

Pet dander can be especially problematic for those with allergies in the morning, as people tend to spend a lot of time in their bedrooms, and the dander can accumulate on bedding, pillows, and furniture. Additionally, pets that sleep in the same room as their owners can shed dander throughout the night, which can trigger morning allergy symptoms.

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Dust mites: Dust mite allergy symptoms are typically worse in the morning because you are exposed to the allergen while you sleep. Dust mites are microscopic bugs that live in homes, and unfortunately, the bedroom is a hot spot for them. They tend to live in bedding, carpets, and other soft furnishings, where they can feed on dead skin cells. When you sleep and toss and turn, you can breathe in the allergens that dust mites produce.

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Irritants in the air: Irritants like perfume or cologne can also trigger morning allergies. Strong scents can irritate the nasal passages and lungs, resulting in symptoms of allergic rhinitis. This can be especially problematic if someone else around you is wearing strong perfume or cologne, as the scent can linger in the air and continue to exacerbate your allergies.

Pollen: Pollen can affect morning allergies in several ways. When you breathe in pollen, your immune system can react to the allergen and produce histamines, which cause those awful morning allergy symptoms. Additionally, pollen can stick to your clothing, hair, and skin, which means you can carry the allergen with you throughout the day and continue to experience symptoms.

Pollen counts are often highest in the early morning, which is why many people experience more severe symptoms in the morning. The heat and sunlight of the day can cause pollen to rise higher in the atmosphere, so pollen counts may decrease later in the day.

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Morning allergy symptoms

Here are some common morning allergy symptoms that you might experience:

• Runny or stuffy nose
• Sneezing
• Congestion
• Itchy or watery eyes
• Scratchy or sore throat
• Coughing
• Headache
• Fatigue
  
  

These symptoms can be caused by allergies to a variety of things, such as pollen, dust mites, pet dander, and mold. If you experience these symptoms regularly, it's a good idea to see an allergist to determine the cause and get appropriate treatment.

How to prevent morning allergies

If you are one of the many people who suffer from morning allergies, you know how disruptive and uncomfortable they can be. 

The best way to beat allergies in the morning is to do as much prevention work as possible. This means identifying the specific allergens that trigger your symptoms and taking steps to avoid them. If you're not sure what you're allergic to, an allergy test is a great way to find out. At Aspire Allergy & Sinus, we offer comprehensive allergy testing for up to 58 of the most common allergens, including pollen, dust mites, mold, pet dander, and more.

Mold allergies can be especially problematic for people with respiratory conditions like asthma. Exposure to mold can trigger asthma symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. If you suspect that you have a mold allergy, it's important to take steps to reduce your exposure to mold. 

• Using a dehumidifier and keep the humidity set below 50%
• Keeping your home clean and dry
• Avoiding areas with high mold concentrations, such as damp basements or bathrooms
• Fix any leaks immediately

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To reduce the impact of dust on morning allergies, it is important to keep your home clean and dust-free. This can include:

• Regular vacuuming of carpets and upholstery
• Washing bedding and curtains regularly
• Using air purifiers with HEPA filters
• Keep your bedroom well-ventilated, and avoid sleeping with pets or stuffed animals that can collect dust

If you suspect that pet dander is causing your morning allergies, it's important to take steps to reduce your exposure. This may include:

• Keeping your pets out of your bedroom
• Washing your bedding and clothing regularly
• Vacuuming your home frequently
• Brush pets frequently to decrease excess shedding

To reduce the impact of pollen on morning allergies, it is important to avoid exposure to pollen as much as possible. This can include:

• Keeping windows closed and using air conditioning or air purifiers to filter the air
• Avoid outdoor activities during the early morning hours, when pollen counts are highest
• Wearing a pollen mask can help filter out pollen and reduce your exposure

Morning allergy treatments

Allergy Drops for morning allergies

Allergy drops, also known as sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), are a good option for treating morning allergies because they are convenient, effective, and require no injections, unlike traditional allergy shots. The drops work by exposing your immune system to small amounts of allergens over time, gradually building up your tolerance and reducing allergic reactions. Unlike allergy shots, which require frequent visits to a doctor's office, allergy drops can be taken at home, making them a more convenient option for people with busy schedules. Additionally, allergy drops have been shown to be effective in treating a variety of allergy symptoms, including those related to morning allergies. Overall, if you suffer from morning allergies, allergy drops may be a good option to consider for long-term relief.

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Allergy Shots for morning allergies

Allergy shots, also known as subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT), can be a good option for treating morning allergies because they target the root cause of allergic reactions. These shots work by gradually exposing your immune system to small amounts of allergens, helping your body build up a tolerance to the allergen, and reducing the severity of your allergic reactions over time. This can be particularly effective for people with morning allergies, as they are often caused by environmental allergens such as pollen, dust mites, or pet dander. Allergy shots can help reduce your sensitivity to these allergens, making it less likely that you will experience symptoms like a runny nose, itchy eyes, or congestion when you wake up. Additionally, allergy shots can provide long-term relief from allergies, reducing the need for other medications or treatments. However, it's important to note that allergy shots require a significant time commitment, as they involve a series of injections over several months or years. 

ExACT Immunoplasty for morning allergies

ExACT Immunoplasty is a relatively new type of allergy treatment that involves injecting allergens directly into the lymph nodes, bypassing the need for a prolonged buildup phase like traditional allergy shots. ExACT requires fewer injections than traditional allergy shots, with just three shots over the span of eight weeks.  This makes ExACT a good option for people with morning allergies who need rapid relief from their symptoms. This makes it a convenient option for people with busy schedules who may not have the time to commit to a lengthy course of allergy shots. Overall, ExACT is an innovative new treatment option for morning allergies that can provide rapid and effective relief for many people.

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How Aspire Allergy & Sinus can help your morning allergies

Constantly waking up with allergies can be difficult, which is why we want help! At Aspire Allergy & Sinus, we offer a variety of convenient and affordable allergy and sinus treatments to help stop your morning allergies! Our expert team of doctors is ready to tackle your morning allergies head-on to help you understand the causes of your allergies, and exploring different treatment options can help you find relief and improve your quality of life. With the right strategies in place, it's possible to manage your morning allergies and start each day feeling refreshed and energized. Book your appointment with one of our allergy specialists today!

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