Why Are My Allergies Worse? How Autoimmune Diseases Affect Allergic Reactions

Oh, spring. Sunshine, flowers, and... tissues. Lots of tissues. For us folks dealing with autoimmune issues, the beginning of allergy season tends to bring a specific kind of woe. That singular bout of sneezing has become a seven-day orchestra of symptoms, and all of a sudden things that never even registered are getting you to grab antihistamines.

It's not just your imagination - there really is a connection between autoimmune disease and heightened allergic sensitivity. We always hear about worsening allergies or even new allergies along with their autoimmune development.

So let's take a look at why this happens and what we can actually change without driving ourselves crazy in the process.

That Overachiever Called Your Immune System

Allergies and autoimmune diseases are cousins at the family gathering - they're different but definitely related. Both are caused by a hyperactive immune system.

With autoimmune disease, your immune cells get your own tissues mixed up with invaders and destroy them. With allergies, your immune system overreacts to harmless stuff - like that oak pollen drifting through your window or your neighbor's adorable cat.

Some of the autoimmune conditions seem particularly prone to this allergy connection:

• Lupus (SLE) seems to have a side effect of heightened seasonal allergies and acquired environmental sensitivities. Just what you really wanted with a flare, huh?
• Hashimoto's thyroiditis and food sensitivities seem to go hand in hand. Many Hashi's patients find themselves suddenly reacting to foods they've consumed their entire lifetime.
• Rheumatoid arthritis patients also frequently report more severe allergic reactions. The chronic inflammation already present in the body creates a hair-trigger reaction to allergens.
• Multiple sclerosis doesn't classically yell "allergies," but many MS warriors develop new chemical and environmental sensitivities that are equally bewildering.
• Celiac disease lays the groundwork for multiple food intolerances and environmental allergies, even after the gluten is well removed from the diet.

If your immune system is already overactive due to an autoimmune disorder, it doesn't stand to reason that it wouldn't overreact to other "threats" too.

"But I Never Had Allergies Before!"

Perhaps the most baffling aspect of adult-onset allergies is how seemingly they erupt overnight. You navigated 35 years with no single springtime sneeze and now you're the one wandering around with tissues.

There are several reasons why this happens:

• Your immune system changes over time. Infections, stress, drugs, environmental exposures - all of these gradually alter the way your immune system responds to the world. Sometimes those changes make you more sensitive to allergens.
• Changes in hormones can trigger changes in immunity. Pregnancy, menopause, or thyroid disease typically occur at the same time as the development of new allergies. (Thanks, hormones. As if hot flashes weren't bad enough.)
• Repeated exposure sometimes cumulates sensitivity. Moving to a new region with different plants, a new workplace with different chemicals, or that cute pet can eventually get your immune system to respond even if you started out fine.
• Development of autoimmune disease most often has your immune system become over-reactive in general so that you will be susceptible to allergies you never used to have.

I've was blindsided by adult-onset allergies. Has this happened to you?

Managing the Double Whammy of Autoimmunity and Allergies

Having these diseases overlap can be overwhelming at times. When you're already juggling flares, fatigue, and meds - now you have to contend with pollen counts too?

Below are some helpful techniques that have proven effective for our community members:

1. Play Detective With Your Triggers

Old-school allergy testing with blood tests or skin prick tests can inform you exactly what you're sensitive to. But don't discount the value of your own detective work.

Keep a simple symptom diary (sniffle, like our Tracking Journal) - nothing fancy, just mark when reactions happen and what you were recently exposed to. You might notice patterns that even testing misses, like reacting to a particular food or perfume.

2. Create Lower-Allergen Spaces

You can't change the world, but you can create safer environments:

• HEPA air cleaners have visible effects on most individuals who have respiratory allergies. Get them installed in the bedrooms first when finances are tight.
• Take showers and shower clothes as quickly as possible following outdoor activities at peak pollen seasons. Your hair is actually great at attracting and holding pollen.
• Do not open windows during prime pollen times. I know it is nice to receive the fresh spring air, but sometimes the agony that it creates isn't worth it.
• Allergy-proof your bedroom by dust-mite covering pillows and mattresses, and washing bedding weekly in hot water.

3. Watch What You Eat (But Don't Drive Yourself Crazy)

Food sensitivities will overlap with environmental allergies to create a perfect storm during allergy season. Common offenders include:

• Gluten - especially troublesome for those with celiac, Hashimoto's, or other autoimmune disorders
• Dairy - will increase mucus and congestion
• Processed sugar - drives inflammation in the body
• Alcohol - histamine content and worsens allergy symptoms.

Rather than eliminating foods without sense in the cut, it may be worth speaking to a well-educated dietitian. Food restrictions can become a stress factor in themselves, which doesn't help either disease. Our journal mentioned above, was meant to spot trends and we provide a good food bad food section for you to summarize.

4. Medication Considerations

Allergy over-the-counter drugs might not be quite so simple when you have autoimmune diseases:

• Some antihistamines interact with autoimmune medications or affect energy already depleted.
• Non-sedating options like loratadine (Claritin) or fexofenadine (Allegra) appear to work better for those battling chronic fatigue.
• Nasal sprays like Flonase can locally decrease inflammation without impacting the system as a whole, so they are a great option for most.
• Natural treatments like quercetin supplements are promising due to their antihistamine effects, but always check with your doctor before supplementing.

5. Cultivate Your Overall Immune Health

Supporting your immune system won't make either of these diseases go away, but it can reduce the severity of the reaction:

• Sleep more - easier said than done with autoimmune symptoms, I know. But even small improvements in the quality of your sleep will reduce reactivity.
• Drink more water - staying well-hydrated helps wash out allergens and aids the immune system.
• Stress-reducing techniques like meditation, light exercise, or even brief breaks during your day can calm an overactive immune system.

When to Get More Help

If you're struggling to manage worsening allergies along with your autoimmune disease, don't hesitate to get professional help.

See an allergist if you're experiencing:

• Difficulty breathing
• Recurring sinus infections
• Allergic reactions that interfere with daily life
• Symptoms that won't be relieved by over-the-counter medications

Also get in touch with your rheumatologist or autoimmune specialist if your allergy symptoms are similar to autoimmune flares. At times, switching your autoimmune regimen can help cure both.

We're All in This Together

The intersection of allergies and autoimmune diseases is a unique challenge, but you don't have to solve it solo. By understanding the link between the two, you can build smarter strategies for coping with both.

Have your allergies changed now that you have an autoimmune condition? What coping mechanisms have helped you deal with the combined symptoms? Share in the comments - your story could be exactly what someone else needs to hear today.