Allergies and Sleep

How Do Allergies Affect Sleep?

Allergens irritate your nasal passages when they enter your nose, triggering uncomfortable symptoms like nasal congestion, sneezing, and watery eyes. These symptoms affect your ability to breathe easily and tend to worsen at night — two reasons why allergies commonly lead to poor sleep quality.

If your allergies keep you up at night, you may be missing out on sleep. Without a good night’s sleep, you end up feeling tired and grumpy the next day Trusted Source National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) The NHLBI is the nation's leader in the prevention and treatment of heart, lung, blood and sleep disorders. View Source . Being tired can impair your performance Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source at school and work, negatively affecting your health and wellbeing. Poor sleep also heightens anxiety and stress response, which in turn, makes it harder to fall asleep Trusted Source National Center for Biotechnology Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source .

Allergies don’t just impact your ability to fall asleep; they also interfere with your ability to stay asleep. People with allergies may wake up due to a congested nose, sneezing or coughing fit in the middle of the night. Over time, this kind of allergy-induced sleep deprivation adds up, creating a vicious cycle that leads some to rely on sedatives or alcohol Trusted Source National Center for Biotechnology Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source  to help them fall or stay asleep — which is not a good idea.

What Kind of Sleep Disturbances Can Come From Allergies?

Allergies can affect all aspects of sleep. Individuals with allergic rhinitis are significantly more likely Trusted Source National Center for Biotechnology Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source to suffer from sleep issues, including:

• Insomnia
• Trouble falling asleep
• Trouble staying asleep
• Increased snoring
• Increased risk for sleep apnea
• Poor sleep efficiency
• Short sleep

During the day, their problems don’t end. They’re more likely Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source to have trouble waking up, experience daytime fatigue, and have morning headaches and sinus pain.

There also appears to be a correlation between the severity of a person’s allergies and the severity of their sleep problems. In other words, the worse their allergy symptoms are, the worse their sleep is.

For some people with allergies, difficulty sleeping may develop into more serious sleep disturbances, such as bedwetting, insomnia, restless sleep, snoring, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and other forms of sleep-disordered breathing. The connection between allergies causing or worsening  sleep apnea is of particular concern because we know that OSA can lead to difficulty losing weight Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source , high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease Trusted Source National Center for Biotechnology Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source , and death Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source .

Pediatric studies suggest that allergies increases the risk for obstructive sleep apnea among children Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . Children with sleep-disordered breathing are more than twice as likely to have allergic rhinitis than those who don’t have sleep apnea. Poor sleep can be especially damaging Trusted Source National Center for Biotechnology Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source   to children, leading to missed school days, behavioral problems, difficulty with memory, concentration and worsened IQ Trusted Source National Center for Biotechnology Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source .

Tips to Sleep Better With Allergies

Sleeping with allergies can be tough, but it is possible. Here are seven tips to cope with allergies and get better sleep.

Use an Air Purifier.

Air purifiers Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source can help improve sleep for people with and without allergies. They help clear your bedroom air of common household allergens like mold, dust mites, pet dander, and even pollen brought in from outside.

Close Your Doors and Windows.

If you leave your windows open during the day, you’re inviting allergens into your home. Closed windows and doors, on the other hand, can do a lot to keep allergens outside and away from your bedroom.

Keep Your Furniture as Dust-Free as Possible

Most people are surprised by the amount of debris and dust collected in nooks and crannies in the room. Avoid heavy drapes and upholstered furniture in the bedroom. Avoid floor-to-floor carpet, if possible. Use tightly-woven fabric for your sheets and pillowcase to prevent trapping of dust. Avoid “dust collectors”, such as stuffed animals, fake flowers, and old books in the bedroom.

Keep Pets Out of Your Bedroom.

Pet hair and dander are two common allergens that impact sleep, so sleeping in a separate room from your pet may help relieve your allergies at night. Give them a comfy bed outside your bedroom and pet them goodnight. Just make sure to wash your hands afterward!

Change Up Your Laundry Routine.

After spending time outside, especially during high pollen count days, take your clothes off when you come inside the house and put them directly in the laundry room. Never hang your clothes outside to dry. Use a dryer instead, if possible.

Shower Before Bed.

Showering before bed helps wash the pollen away. Make showers a part of your bedtime routine, and you’ll always be clean before bed.

Take Allergy Medication at Night.

If you currently take your allergy medication in the morning, consider changing it to nighttime. Consult your doctor first, though. This ensures the dose of medication is still strong in your system when you go to bed, instead of wearing off in the middle of the night.

Talk to Your Doctor.

Speaking of your doctor, they can discuss some treatment options with you based on the type of allergies you have. There are over-the-counter medications, prescription medications, and lifestyle changes that can provide relief.