Night time Allergy: How Does Rhinitis’ Allergy Affect Sleep?

10 Apr 2024

by daniela

Bless you! How night time allergy disrupts sleep and effective remedies

For some time now, you've been having trouble falling asleep, waking up in the middle of the night, and finding yourself reaching for tissues and nasal spray on the bedtable?

Only those who suffer from night time allergies know how annoying and debilitating it can be. Not only does it negatively impact your daytime life; it also stops you from enjoying a good night of rest and all that this entails!

But how much does it affect sleep? And how can you prevent its symptoms to return to a restful sleep?

What are the symptoms of night time allergies?

Night time allergy is a disorder that affects people who suffer from allergic rhinitis, caused by an immunological reaction of our body that, when exposed to an allergen, responds with the production of antibodies and then with a series of reactions resulting in inflammation of the nasal mucosa.

There are different types of allergens, which can be seasonal (pollens), and those that are present all year round, primarily dust mites (but also animal fur and molds).

Allergic rhinitis, day and night, manifests with common signs and symptoms, variably associated:

Runny nose.
Itchy nose and eyes.
Red eyes.
Sneezing and nasal congestion.

Sometimes, especially in bed, due to the lying position, an annoying allergic cough may also occur.

Night time Allergic Rhinitis: How It Affects Sleep

Several studies have evaluated the negative impact of allergic rhinitis on sleep, and it has been found that continuous sneezing and difficulty breathing cause sleep disturbances, including:

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Shorter sleep duration.
Poor sleep quality.
Teeth grinding.
Night sweats and bedwetting.

Moreover, night time allergy can be a risk factor for the development of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases.

5 Remedies to Prevent Nighttime Allergies

Obviously, for the treatment of allergic rhinitis, it is necessary to consult a trusted specialist, but there are several precautions that can be taken to improve sleep quality by keeping symptoms at bay during the night:

Keep the airways clear.

The first step is to wash the nasal passages, which become blocked due to allergens.

Limit the use of nasal spray. Even though it provides immediate relief, if used for a long time, it can cause addiction and inflammation, as well as insomnia. Prefer natural sprays, such as those with seawater.

Take a shower before going to bed.

Get rid of the causes of your allergy accumulated during the day by taking a shower before going to bed.

Pay attention to the bedroom environment. Air the room frequently (but if pollen is the problem, not between 5 and 10 in the morning), maintain the ideal sleeping temperature (around 19 degrees Celsius), and keep humidity below 50%: the environment will be dry to prevent colony development, and the mite will tend to dehydrate and die.

Choose a mattress and pillows carefully.

To keep allergies under control, it is essential to rest on fully removable and washable mattresses and pillows. In these cases, it is possible to always ensure the maximum freshness and hygiene, periodically removing mites and other allergens that accumulate on fabrics.