Allergies: What is their hidden impact on mental health?

Allergy medications — called antihistamines — are designed to improve symptoms, but side effects include drowsiness that can interfere with daily activities and sleeping patterns.Some researchers believe that the inflammatory substances that cause allergic reactions in the body may also affect the brain, playing a role in the development of depression and anxiety.Similarly, for a person living with a mental health condition, symptoms of an allergic reaction may heighten levels of cortisol, the stress hormone.A 2019 study from the Sackler Faculty of Medicine at Tel-Aviv University, Israel, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom, among others, found that treated atopic eczema is associated with a 14% increase in the risk of developing depression and 17% in the risk of a later diagnosis of anxiety. Consequently, up to 53% of adults living with allergies avoid social interactions, which can lead to isolation and lower quality of life, according to recent survey data from Allergy UK.Moreover, symptoms can interfere with regular sleep cycles contributing to physical fatigue and worsening mental health conditions. Doctors also encourage adults and children to pursue an active lifestyle that contributes to both physical and emotional well-being.Aside from identifying and treating physical symptoms, doctors encourage people with allergies to be open about any mental health symptoms they may be experiencing.Speaking with a mental health professional can help lower stress levels and provide tools for emotional management.