April is a wonderful time of the year and signals the upcoming spring season for many of us. What’s not to love about daisies, jasmine, and maple trees? Unfortunately, these and many other budding plants and flowers trigger allergy symptoms in susceptible people. And, if you have an autoimmune condition and suddenly experience a flare after spring begins, you might wonder if there’s a connection between spring allergies and autoimmune flares.
How Allergies and Autoimmune Disease Affect the Body
Spring allergy symptoms like sneezing and watery eyes can make you pretty miserable.
During spring, budding plants release pollen into the air. When someone sensitive to pollen breathes it in, it can cause inflammation and set off a reaction in the immune system. In essence, your immune system detects something foreign in the body. It then overreacts and perceives it as a threat, releasing chemicals like histamines and inflammatory cytokines.
While your body stores histamine in mast cell tissues, it is released during heightened sensitivity and exposure to pollen, causing allergy symptoms.
Common Allergy Symptoms
According to the CDC, nearly 26% of American adults have spring allergies. The extent of allergy symptoms is different for everyone. One person might get only one or two symptoms, while another will get a whole cascade of symptoms.
Allergy symptoms include:
● Sneezing
● Hay fever
● Congestion
● Itchy, watery eyes
● Runny nose
● Post-nasal drip
● Watery eyes
● Sore or itchy throat
● Coughing
● Fatigue or tiredness
● Headache
Autoimmune Disease and Symptom Flares
It’s estimated that 4.6% of the U.S. population has an autoimmune condition. Just as with allergies, the immune system can become disregulated. Under normal circumstances, the immune system won’t trigger a response against the cells of the human body. That’s because the immune system’s job is to protect the body against foreign invaders, such as bacteria or a virus.
As with allergies, autoimmunity occurs when the immune system goes haywire and attacks the body’s tissues, triggering inflammation and causing a reaction.
Some autoimmune conditions target one area of the body, such as the thyroid in Hashimoto’s or the pancreas in Type 1 Diabetes. However, several autoimmune conditions, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis (RA), have widespread symptoms in the body. Lupus also causes skin rashes that are sometimes mistaken for allergies.
When an autoimmune condition flares up, symptoms increase. Symptoms of an autoimmune flare vary from one autoimmune condition to another. However, many autoimmune conditions have similar flare signs and symptoms.
Common Autoimmune Disease Symptoms
● Fatigue
● Joint pain or swelling
● Fever
● Skin problems or rash
● Inflammation
● Muscle aches or weakness
● Swollen glands
● Unexplained weight change
● Loss of appetite
How are Allergies and Autoimmune Disease Connected?
While allergies and autoimmune flares only have one or two symptoms in common, there is a common thread: Inflammation and miscommunication within the immune system.
In both conditions, something causes the body to overreact and mount an immune response against something. With allergies, that something is an environmental antigen. With an autoimmune disorder, it is a self-antigen, meaning something within the body. The end result for both is increased inflammation.
Studies also show that certain T-cells and B-cells are involved in the autoimmune process and allergies. It is these cells that drive inflammation and cause symptoms in each condition.
Research has also found that people with allergic rhinitis are more likely to develop an autoimmune condition than the general population, although a direct correlation has not been made. Other environmental triggers and genetics also likely play a role.
The bottom line is that not everyone with allergies will develop an autoimmune condition, and vice versa. However, an individual with autoimmunity is more likely to experience a flare when their allergies get out of control. So, the key is to be proactive and quickly develop a treatment plan if allergy symptoms or an autoimmune flare occur.
Tips for Managing Spring Allergy and Autoimmune Disease Symptoms
First, it’s essential to report any new or worsening symptoms to your physician or rheumatologist. You may need an adjustment in your treatment plan. Beyond that, there are a few things you can do to improve your overall health and manage your allergy symptoms and an autoimmune flare.
1. Improve your gut health.
Many experts believe that immune health begins in the gut. Leaky gut syndrome occurs when undigested food and toxins penetrate the gut barrier and leak into the bloodstream, causing inflammation. Poor gut health can also increase histamine load in the body, setting the stage for developing an autoimmune condition and experiencing sensitivity to the environmental toxins that cause allergies.
The most common offenders leading to poor gut health are processed foods, too much sugar, alcohol, and certain medications like antibiotics. Many people have improved symptoms by following an AIP diet. It’s also a good idea to stay adequately hydrated to flush out excess mucus when experiencing spring allergies. Maintaining hydration is also good for gut health and optimum immune function.
2. Manage stress.
Stress can increase inflammation in the body, worsening allergy symptoms and autoimmune conditions. Reduce stress by practicing meditation, deep breathing, and yoga. Each of these can have a calming effect on your body and help keep stress under control.
3. Shower or bathe before bedtime.
Especially during high-pollen days and nights, a shower can help wash off any allergens that can increase allergy symptoms. It can also soothe aching and sore muscles and joints from autoimmune flares. In turn, you’ll get a better night’s sleep.
4. Invest in an air purifier.
Pollen and mold spores can enter your home and increase allergy symptoms even when you aren’t spending much time outdoors. An air purifier can remove allergens from the air and relieve spring allergies. Place one in any room you spend a lot of time in for the best results.
5. Stick to your treatment plan.
It’s essential to adhere to the treatment plan prescribed by your rheumatologist. If you see an allergy specialist, it’s equally important to take any medication to bring your allergies under control. However, anytime another physician prescribes a new medicine, it’s a good idea to clue your rheumatologist in and ensure they’re on board with the treatment, as an adjustment in your treatment routine may be warranted. For example, corticosteroids are commonly prescribed for both allergies and autoimmune conditions. So your rheumatologist may need to adjust dosages or medications as needed.
If spring allergy symptoms and an autoimmune flare are causing you discomfort, contact our rheumatology experts for a consultation. Our team can help you feel better in no time.
