Fatigue Can Be Due to Allergies?

In the hectic days we live in, many individuals feel fatigued or exhausted.  Fatigue is a very common symptom that can be either chronic or intermittent. Many people seek help by seeing a physician in order to find out the cause of their fatigue, as there are many potential causes.  Despite the numerous causes of fatigue, underlying allergies is a fairly common reason for fatigue in many individuals.

Usually patients with allergic rhinitis (i.e., hay fever) and allergic conjunctivitis exhibit many of the classic symptoms of allergies which may include sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, post-nasal drip, itchy nose, itchy throat, itchy ears, clogged ears, itchy eyes, watery eyes, redness of the eyes, puffy eyes, sinus pressure, and/or sinus headaches.  The typical symptoms in individuals with asthma may include wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and/or coughing.  It should also be noted that food allergies can cause fatigue in certain individuals in addition to the more typical abdominal symptoms (e.g., abdominal pain, diarrhea), skin symptoms (e.g., hives, itching, swelling), lung symptoms (e.g., wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing), and of course anaphylaxis.  Even though the symptoms listed above are the “more typical” symptoms associated with allergies, asthma, and food allergies one should realize that fatigue is not an uncommon symptom that occurs in allergic individuals. There are in fact people that only complain of fatigue and do not have any of the more typical symptoms of allergies.  You may be asking: How do you know if your fatigue is due to allergies?  It should be noted that there are a whole host of conditions and/or reasons that can cause fatigue.  Likewise, it is important to rule out these “other” causes of fatigue before declaring one’s fatigue is due to allergies.

What are some common causes of fatigue besides allergies?  Here are some of the more common reasons/conditions that may cause fatigue, but keep in mind that there are numerous other conditions or reasons that may cause fatigue that are not listed below:

  • Thyroid disorders (e.g., hypothyroidism)
  • Anemia
  • Sleep apnea
  • Heart disease
  • Lack of sleep
  • Infection (e.g., hepatitis, mononucleosis, urinary tract infection)
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Autoimmune disorders (e.g., systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren’s syndrome)
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Anxiety/Depression
  • Dehydration
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Medication side effects

Fatigue Can Be Due to Allergies?Assuming that there are no other reasons for one’s fatigue, seeing a board certified allergist in the Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland metropolitan area is important in order to rule out allergies as a cause.  In fact, even if you have another condition that can cause fatigue, it is still possible that some or all of your fatigue may be coming from allergies.  The board certified allergists at Black & Kletz Allergy are experts in the field and can find out if you have allergies via blood and/or skin testing.  It is first important for the allergist to perform a comprehensive history and physical examination.  Allergy testing is done in order to identify if, what, and how allergic one is to specific allergens. Once an allergy is identified, preventive measures are discussed in order to minimize one’s exposure to the offending allergens.  In addition, the use of allergy medications are usually beneficial in alleviating those unwanted allergy symptoms which also includes fatigue. Allergy immunotherapy (i.e., allergy shots, allergy injections, allergy hyposensitization) may be utilized to treat the underlying allergies as they are very efficacious and are beneficial in 80-85% of individuals who take them.  Most individuals are on allergy shot for 3-5 years.

The allergists at Black & Kletz Allergy see both pediatric and adult patients and have over 50 years of experience in the field of allergy, asthma, and immunology.  Black & Kletz Allergy has 3 convenient locations with on-site parking located in Washington, DC, McLean, VA (Tysons Corner, VA), and Manassas, VA.  The Washington, DC and McLean, VA offices are Metro accessible and we offer a free shuttle that runs between the McLean, VA office and the Spring Hill metro station on the silver line.  To schedule an appointment, please call any of our offices or you may click Request an Appointment and we will respond within 24 hours by the next business day.  We have been servicing the greater Washington, DC metropolitan area for over 5 decades and we look forward to providing you with the highest state-of-the-art allergy care in a friendly and comfortable environment.