Constant sneezing, runny nose, red and itchy eyes... Are you also tired of these allergy symptoms? Do you ever feel like, "This is making me feel so stressed and sad?" If you feel that way, it's not just a figment of your imagination. New medical research has found that there is actually a link between allergies and depression , or depression as we call it. Let's talk about this in more depth today.
What is this relationship really about?
The first thing to understand is that allergies don't directly cause depression. However, researchers say that allergies are a major risk factor for depression. Simply put, people with allergies are more likely to develop depression.
Imagine, surveys conducted using large populations have found that people with allergies are about twice as likely to experience depression as people without allergies.
- One study showed that adults with allergic rhinitis, or what we call 'Hay Fever,' were twice as likely to be diagnosed with major depression within the past 12 months.
- Another study found that children who were depressed as children around the age of 5 or 6 were twice as likely to develop depression over the next 17 years.
This shows that there is some connection between these two conditions.
Why is this happening? There could be several reasons.
Doctors talk about two main aspects that affect this relationship. One is the psychological impact, and the other is the biological changes that occur in the body.
1. Stress and impact
This is very easy to understand. Imagine yourself, you have a stuffy nose and difficulty breathing. You sneeze all day long. You have a constant headache. Your eyes are itchy and red. Because of these things, you can't sleep well at night. You feel tired and sluggish all day long.
When things like this continue for months or years, it's normal for anyone to feel stressed, sad, frustrated, and angry, right?
Sleep deprivation, in particular, has a major impact. Lack of sleep directly affects our brain function, attention span, and mood. This can be a major contributing factor to depression.
2. Biological changes occurring in the body
However, this is not only a psychological reason, but also affects other scientific things inside our bodies. Some scientists believe more in this biological connection.
Simply put, when we have an allergy, our immune system starts to fight against the allergen. In this process, special cells in the body produce proteins called cytokines . These are actually associated with inflammation in the body.
These `(Cytokines)` can travel through our blood to the brain and affect brain function. This effect is what makes us feel sad, apathetic, lethargic , and sleepy .
To be precise, this is the same feeling we get when we have a fever or a cold, when we feel like we have no energy, no energy, and no desire to do anything. So someone with a severe allergy may experience this feeling continuously.
How to control allergies
So what do we do? The first and most important thing is to stay away from the things that cause allergies, that is, allergens, as much as possible. The most common allergens in our country are dust mites, pollen, animal dander, and molds in the house. The table below shows some things you can do to protect yourself from these.
| What to do | Why and how do you do that? |
|---|---|
| Stay indoors during high pollen times. | Pollen is highest in the morning. Keep windows closed during this time and turn on the air conditioner (AC) if possible. If you go out, wash your body and hair before going to bed. This is because pollen can be stuck on your clothes and hair. |
| Reduce humidity in the home | Mold needs moisture to grow. Keep the humidity in your home below 50%. Keep areas like the bathroom and kitchen well ventilated. |
| Take care of curtains and drapes. | Thick curtains and drapes are places where dust and allergens collect. Instead, it's better to use easy-to-clean blinds and flooring such as tile or wood. |
| Wash bedding frequently. | To kill dust mites, wash bedding, such as sheets and pillowcases, at least once a week in hot water (at least 60 degrees Celsius / 130 degrees Fahrenheit) . It is best to use allergen-impermeable covers for mattresses and pillows. |
| Keep pets out of the bedroom. | No matter how much you love your pet, their fur and saliva can cause allergies. So, especially, stop letting animals come into the bedroom and sleep on your bed. |
It is essential to seek medical advice.
While trying to stay away from allergens , medical treatment is also needed to control symptoms.
Very important: Don't assume that someone with depression can just take medication for their allergies without treating it. That's a big mistake. Both conditions need to be treated separately and properly. Talk to your doctor about this.
Over-the-counter medications, such as nasal sprays and eye drops, can provide great relief. For some severe and persistent allergies, there is a special treatment called 'allergy shots' (Immunotherapy) . This can provide very good results over time.
If you have both allergies and depression, it's important for your allergy doctor and your mental health doctor to talk to each other and coordinate treatment. That way, you can manage both conditions and live a healthy life.
Take-Home Message
- There is a clear link between allergies and depression. An allergy is a risk factor for depression.
- Persistent allergy symptoms (insomnia, headaches, discomfort) can be emotionally distressing. Also, chemicals called cytokines produced in the body can negatively affect mood.
- While treating allergies may improve your mood, it is not a substitute for treating depression. Both conditions should be treated separately under the guidance of a doctor.
- The first step is to stay away from allergens. Keep your home and environment clean to protect yourself from dust, pollen, and mold.
- If you have both of these conditions, make sure your treating doctors communicate with each other. This will lead to more successful treatment outcomes.
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