Guest post by Christine Huegel

If you are one of the 50 million Americans who experience allergies, you may have suffered annoying symptoms like itchy eyes, running nose and constant sneezing. You may have also noticed how tired you might feel, which is also a common symptom of allergies.

This is because exposure to allergens triggers an immune response that is meant to protect you from irritants such as pollen and dust mites. This response produces a chemical called histamine which is known to cause symptoms such as itchiness, swelling and fatigue, not to mention other symptoms like coughing and sneezing, which may prevent you from getting a good night’s rest.

To help prevent allergy symptoms so that you can function normally during the day and sleep well at night, start by finding the source of your symptoms. You can do this by taking an allergy test or by keeping an allergy log to track what you have been exposed to and what symptoms you may have. Once you’ve identified the culprit, avoid those allergens or at least try to limit your exposure to them if possible.

From there, you can manage your daytime allergy fatigue by maintaining healthy eating habits, staying hydrated and getting a moderate amount of exercise. Also, don’t forget to get a good amount of sunlight, as it increases serotonin production, which is known for lifting your mood and energy levels.

As for bedtime, it's hard to get comfortable when you have allergies. One way to alleviate some of your symptoms is by taking a shower before bed. This helps wash away pollen and other irritants from your skin and hair. It may also just feel good to get in a steamy shower to help relieve sinus pressure. As for the bedroom, make sure you are washing your sheets frequently and limiting pet access to eliminate pet dander and excessive dust. 

Allergies can impact your quality of life, so learning how to manage your allergy fatigue is important. If you’re suffering from allergy fatigue, check out the infographic below, which shares tips for staying alert during the day, and reducing your symptoms at night.

Christine Huegel is a health and wellness content creator who believes that living our best lives starts with feeling our best. She hopes to not only educate others on various health and wellness topics, but empower them to make every aspect of their health a priority.