Seasonal Allergies And Epilepsy - An Often Overlooked Connection
One topic within the world of epilepsy that I don’t see discussed very often is the link between seasonal allergies and epilepsy. But it’s also something that I think should be talked about more, since seasonal allergies are an unavoidable (and annual) trigger.
So today I want to dive into how seasonal allergies can affect those with epilepsy, and how you can go about minimizing the negative effects that these allergies can cause. Let’s get started…
What are seasonal allergies?
Seasonal allergies cause people’s immune system to go into overdrive when they encounter certain stimulants found outdoors, namely various types of pollen. And they’re termed “seasonal” because they tend to get worse in the spring and summer when the pollen counts are high and all the flowers/trees are in bloom.
This type of allergy is also known as “hay fever” and is estimated to affect as many as one in four people! So although seasonal allergies certainly don’t inconvenience everyone… they’re far from rare. And if you have epilepsy as well, the effects of these allergies can be even more detrimental.
Do seasonal allergies only occur during the spring and summer?
A common misconception about seasonal allergies is that they only bother people in the spring, and potentially in the summer. But although seasonal allergies do tend to worsen during this time, they can be present all throughout the year.
For instance, there are quite a few plants that don’t release pollen until the fall. One of the most popular examples of this is ragweed; but there’s also sorrels, mugworts, plantains, etc.
And although you might assume that winter would be a seasonal allergy free time of year, there’s always dust mites, mold, and pet dander to contend with. Specifically when you’re spending a lot of time in your home, such as in the winter! And people with seasonal allergies are often more prone to these types of allergies as well!
What are some signs you suffer from seasonal allergies?
Chances are, you already know if you have seasonal allergies. But just in case you’re unsure, here’s a list of symptoms to look out for after you’ve been around pollen…
A runny or stuffy nose
Stuffy feeling ears
Watery eyes
Itchy throat, eyes, sinuses, or ears
And of course… sneezing
Some people may even experience more severe symptoms like wheezing or coughing. And this is especially common if the person has asthma alongside their seasonal allergies, since the allergens can actually bring on asthma attacks.
How do seasonal allergies affect people with epilepsy?
Firstly, despite the lack of research that’s been done on the link between seasonal allergies and epilepsy, we know for a fact that a lot of the symptoms of these allergies are triggers for seizures.
A few examples are a lack of sleep and feeling stressed. Because anyone who has ever experienced chronic allergies will know that it sometimes causes you to miss sleep. And feeling sick throughout an entire season is sure to stress you out as well!
Secondly… Some research has pointed to the fact that as inflammation increases within the body (which can happen when you’re suffering from allergies), your risk for seizures might go up as well if you have epilepsy.
In fact, a few researchers even have a theory that there may be a hidden inflammatory condition in some of these cases that causes both the seizures AND the allergies in the first place. But this has yet to be researched, and is obviously just an idea at this point.
And lastly, if someone has severe enough seasonal allergies to experience anaphylaxis (this is quite rare)… then these anaphylactic reactions could trigger seizures as well. Which can lead to two medical emergencies at once.
How can you manage the seizures caused by seasonal allergies?
If you’re someone who’s noticed that your seasonal allergies are affecting your epilepsy, the best way to minimize your extra seizures is by managing the allergies themselves. And you can do that by following these tips…
Tip #1 - Avoid The Pollen As Much As Possible!
The most straightforward way to avoid symptoms from your seasonal allergy is to avoid the pollen that’s causing it. And while this isn’t always an option, you should certainly avoid it whenever you can.
A few examples of how you could do this are…
Hiring someone else to cut your grass or asking a friend to do it
Staying inside during times when the pollen count is highest, such as during the afternoons and evenings
And keeping your windows closed as much as you can
Tip #2 - Keep The Pollen Out Of Your Home!
Now, it might be hard to control going outdoors during the spring and summer. But, even if you have to be exposed to the allergen in the great outdoors, you don’t have to be exposed to it while indoors! So make sure to keep your house as pollen free as possible, through methods like…
Showering and changing clothes when you come in the house
Cleaning regularly
Wiping off your pet’s paws and fur after they’ve been outside
And avoiding wearing your outdoor shoes all around the house
Tip #3 - See A Doctor!
Lastly, even if you’re 99% sure you have seasonal allergies, I still suggest that you go to the doctor to get tested and diagnosed for certain! Because that way, your doctor can also come up with some treatment plans for you.
Many people have found success with taking allergy medication during certain times of the year. And you may even find out that you’re only allergic to certain kinds of pollen, in which you could potentially avoid the allergen more efficiently!
Final Thoughts
I hope you found this post helpful, whether you’re the one who has epilepsy and seasonal allergies or you’re researching for someone who does! Because, as I said earlier, there’s a real lack of information online about seasonal allergies and the connection they have with epilepsy!
And don’t forget that my blog is full of informational articles like this, all of which are related to epilepsy in some way. So if you’re looking to find more information about the condition, this is the place to be!
Sources
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/seasonal-allergies-and-epilepsy#summary
https://www.healthline.com/health/allergies/seasonal-allergies#diagnosis
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