Almost 25 million people in the US alone suffer from hay fever. Nature is in full bloom, but there are blue circles around your eyes and you feel fatigue. If your seasonal allergy is particularly strong, it can seriously affect your life.
Antihistamine medication can help alleviate the symptoms. However, in some cases the medication just doesn’t suffice. This article outlines five ways to tell your allergy meds aren’t working.
1. Predictable Headaches
If you suffer from headaches every year around the same time, they are probably caused by allergies. The pain usually appears close to your cheeks or above the eyebrows. This is a good indicator that your sinuses are clogged as well. You might try rinsing them.
2. Allergic Shiners
You wake up to find your eyes are swollen. There are dark blue circles around them, and they itch unbearably. This irritating feeling is the way your immune system responds to allergy.
3. Fatigue
Feeling too tired for no apparent reason can be one of the indicators your allergy medication is not working (once you rule out a reaction to the medication itself). You become fatigued because your immune system is fighting an allergen. In some cases, you may even suffer from sleep apnea.
4. You Are Groggy
Allergies may be the cause of brain fog. You might feel forgetful or lack focus. This probably results from your body’s immune response, but might also be a side effect of your antihistamine medication. However, the mechanism behind allergy-induced grogginess is still not completely understood.
5. Rash or Hives
Pollen allergies often cause hives or rashes. Hives actually tend to occur more frequently with food allergies. Also, if you tend to suffer from eczema, the chance that your eczema will flare in the spring is increased.
Endnote
These are some of the ways to tell your allergy meds aren’t working. Although there are a number of treatments that can help you, your first stop should be your immunologist.
