Can Allergies Cause Fever?
Published April 8, 2022
Fever is usually a sign that your body is trying to fight an illness or infection. Viruses and disease-causing bacteria tend to thrive at normal temperatures. So by raising your temperature, your body is trying to kill these bacteria. This is why people suffering from bacterial and viral infections tend to have a fever.
But how about allergies? Can allergies cause fever?
The short answer is no. Allergies do not cause fever. At least, not directly. But it can cause an infection which can trigger your body’s defenses. This, in turn, can cause your body temperature to rise up leading to fever.
To get a better picture of how this happens, you first need to understand how allergies work.
What Causes Allergies?
Your immune system functions as your body’s first line of defense against harmful pathogens. It produces histamine, a type of chemical that filters out foreign substances from entering your body.
Allergies happen when your immune system goes haywire and mistakes a normally harmless substance for a harmful pathogen. It then produces histamine to fight off these allergens.
Histamine fights off these perceived threats by blocking them or getting them out of your body. It does this by alerting certain “receptors” in your body about the perceived threat. So when your body encounters the allergen again, it recognizes it and sets up a defense system against it.
If the allergen enters your nose, for instance, histamine prompts your nose to produce more mucus. In some places, it prompts an inflammation or itchiness. These can lead to sneezing, scratching, or coughing – anything that would get the allergen out of the body. But it never directly leads to fever.
Things that Trigger an Allergic Reaction
Since our immune system recognizes pathogens differently, each person has different allergy triggers. But some of the common things that can trigger an allergic reaction in most people are:
- pollen
- dust mites
- mold
- pet hair
- insect stings
- latex
- certain foods like peanuts, tree nuts, soy, dairy, shellfish, and eggs among others
- medications like penicillin or penicillin-based antibiotics
People with asthma or a family history of any allergic conditions are also more susceptible to allergies.
Symptoms of Allergies
Your allergy symptoms will depend on which triggered your allergy. In most cases, however, an allergic reaction will manifest in the following symptoms:
- sneezing
- runny nose
- watery eyes
- welts or hives
- coughing
- wheezing
- sore throat
- headache or sinus pain
- post-nasal drip
- inflammation
- skin rash
Some people with severe allergic reactions also tend to experience anaphylaxis. In most cases, the symptoms are less serious and are very much similar to common colds. Because of this, many people often mistake one for the other.
When Can an Allergy Lead to Fever?
As mentioned, allergies can cause your nasal walls to produce more mucus. When this happens, dirt and bacteria can get trapped within it. This creates the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and viruses leading to infection.
When your body detects the presence of an infection, it raises your temperature to try and kill the viruses and bacteria.
What Could Be Causing Your Fever?
As I’ve said, allergies share similar symptoms with common colds and other respiratory diseases. But allergy symptoms are seasonal and temporary in nature. They only last for as long as you are exposed to an allergen.
If you have a fever on top of chronic allergy-like symptoms, they could be caused by:
Sinusitis
Sinusitis happens when the tissue lining your sinuses are inflamed. It doesn’t always cause fever. But if your body is trying to fight off the infection, it can lead to a mild fever (usually around 100.4 to 103°F).
Other symptoms of sinusitis include:
- headaches
- cough
- throat irritation
- post-nasal drip
- stuffy nose
- bad breath
Flu
Flu is an infection caused by the influenza virus. Its symptoms can vary from mild to severe and can include:
- fever or feverish chills
- runny nose
- sore throat
- cough
- headache
- tiredness or fatigue
- body aches
Note, however, that not all people who have flu will experience fever.
Common Colds
Common colds may also cause fever, albeit a mild one. Other symptoms include:
- runny nose
- congestion
- cough
- sore throat
- mild headache
- sneezing
- mild body aches
- mild fatigue
Treatment
If you’re dealing with allergies, common treatments include:
- antihistamines
- nasal sprays (for nasal allergies)
- eye drops
- immunotherapy
- probiotics
- epinephrine (for severe allergy symptoms)
Avoiding the things that can trigger your allergic reactions, however, is still the best way to prevent allergies.
Treatments for fever, however, depend on its underlying causes. Most cases of viral infection tend to go away on their own without needing medications. But if your symptoms persist for weeks or have worsened, don’t hesitate to call or visit your doctor.
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About The Author
Judy Ponio is a professional writer based in the Philippines. Her commitment to communicating factual content in when writing is unmatched. She works hard to cross check reputable sources to ensure her work uses accurate facts.
