Do you suffer from workplace allergies?

Do you constantly feel nauseous when you go to the office, your nose is blocked and it's hard to breathe, and your body feels tired and lifeless? Maybe you don't sleep well at night, but you still wake up and go to the office. But after you leave, you're too tired to do anything useful, and you end up wanting to go home before the day is over. Maybe the allergy medication you take is causing you to feel so sleepy. Even though those medications reduce the symptoms of your allergy, you lose energy and can't concentrate on your work. Whatever the case, the cause of this could be an allergy caused by something in your workplace, that is, the office.

Why are allergies increasing at work?

There can be several reasons why allergies increase in the workplace. Sometimes we think that something like dust or odor in the office is the cause. That is also true. But there is another reason that we do not even think about. That is mental stress, or stress .

Many people say that allergies increase when the workload increases at the office, when deadlines are approaching, or when there are problems with colleagues. Even doctors confirm this. Stress at work can change the balance of our body's immune system, and allergy symptoms can become worse. Therefore, if your allergies increase at the office, you need to think about the things at work as well as the stress in your mind.

What is the cause of this unbearable fatigue caused by allergies?

When you have an allergy, it's not just a runny nose and sneezing, but also extreme fatigue. This is not just due to not being able to sleep at night. There is a scientific explanation behind this .

Simply put, an allergy is a condition where our immune system becomes overactive. Our body reacts to something that is actually harmless, like dust or pollen, as if it were a big enemy. Part of this response is called inflammation .

In addition, nasal congestion can make it difficult to breathe properly at night and can lead to snoring . This can make you feel very tired the next morning, even if you get eight hours of sleep.

Drowsiness caused by medication

Some allergy medications can also cause this tiredness. Older antihistamines (such as Piriton) can make people feel sleepy. Also, some decongestants (such as those containing pseudoephedrine) can stimulate the body, so taking them can disrupt sleep. When you take these medications together, you may fall asleep quickly, but it won't be a deep sleep, so you won't feel refreshed in the morning.

But the newer types of antihistamines that are available now are much less likely to cause drowsiness. We'll talk about that later.

What allergens are lurking in the office?

The cause of your allergies may be lurking in the office itself. Especially in poorly ventilated, air-conditioned buildings, allergens can be trapped inside. Although these are invisible to the eye, they are very noticeable to the body. Let's take a look at what things can trigger your allergies at the office.

Depending on the nature of your job, you may be exposed to other specific things in addition to this. For example, someone who works in the construction industry, in a woodworking shop, in a textile factory, or in a laboratory may also develop allergies to things like wood dust, cotton or grain dust, various chemicals, and dyes.

How to control allergies in the workplace?

You don't have to suffer through your allergies and work. There are a few things you can do to control the condition.

1. Keep your workspace clean and dry: Dust and clean your desk, chair, and surrounding area regularly. If possible, try to keep the humidity in your workspace below 50%. It's important to ensure good ventilation. This will help prevent mold growth.

2. Protect yourself from allergens: If you clean your workplace yourself, wear a good mask . Also, if you are allergic to perfumes, air fresheners, etc., you can talk to your colleagues about it and politely ask them to reduce their use.

3. Reduce exposure: If you work in a field like construction or painting, it may be difficult to completely avoid allergens. In such a case, wearing protective masks and clothing appropriate for the job is a must.

How do you choose a medicine that works for allergies without making you drowsy?

Allergies can cause distraction at work for two reasons. One is the symptoms of the allergy. The other is the side effects of the medications you take.

The doctor will examine you, consider factors such as the nature of your work and the severity of your symptoms, and recommend the most suitable, non-sedating medication for you.An antihistamine is recommended. While controlling your allergies with this new type of medication, you can work and function throughout the day without feeling tired or sleepy.

If antihistamines alone don't provide complete relief, your doctor may recommend a nasal steroid spray . These are very effective because they directly control the inflammation in your nose. There are also other non-drowsy medications, such as Singulair. This is all up to your doctor to decide.