Can stress trigger allergies?

So far, it has not been possible to fully research how an allergy develops. The only thing that is certain is that it is a misdirection of the immune system that reacts completely exaggerated to harmless substances and misinterprets the allergens as pathogens. Possible causes include:

• genetic predisposition, if at least one parent also suffers from an allergy
• exaggerated hygiene, especially in children, since the immune system thereby comes into contact with fewer pathogens and cannot build up extensive protection
• environmental influences and air pollution
• hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy or menopause

Generally, anyone can get an allergy, completely independent of age. However, researchers have observed for years that people in big cities are more likely to experience allergic reactions to certain substances than people who live and grew up in the countryside.

As allergy triggers many substances come into question, which are completely harmless for healthy people, but can become a nightmare for allergy sufferers and trigger severe discomfort:

• Pollen
• Dust mites
• Animal dander
• Molds
• Food
• Insect venom
• Chemical substances
• Fragrances
• Metals

If the immune system is weakened or overloaded by stress, such substances can quickly trigger an allergic reaction. Affected people are then usually completely surprised that their own cat suddenly leads to violent sneezing fits, the consumption of nuts causes shortness of breath or at night in bed the nose is completely closed and the eyelids swell.

Scientists are now relatively sure: the psychological condition has a major influence on the development of an allergy. If we are under stress, this affects the immune system. This is because stress strengthens certain immune processes, and at the same time the immune system becomes more susceptible and reacts more to harmless foreign bodies. However, it is not yet known exactly how the psyche and the immune system are connected in the case of an allergy. One thing is certain: With psychological load our immune system is put into alarm readiness, whereby increased histamine is put out.

Already existing allergies could worsen by stress. Otherwise mild symptoms could lead to severe reactions or even allergic asthma under psychological stress. Those under stress during pollen season could develop more severe hay fever than in previous years. Stress seems to have a particularly unfavorable effect on asthmatics, because asthma attacks occur more frequently in sufferers during times of psychological stress.

Scientifically, the connection has not yet been proven. A study¹  could only prove that anxiety disorders are more often associated with allergies. Results show that anxious people are particularly susceptible to hay fever, and allergy sufferers also frequently suffer from depression.

Breathing deeply helps in many situations to take out the tension and pause for at least a few minutes. You should also allow yourself these short breathing breaks regularly, especially if you suffer from allergic asthma. Other tips help reduce stress:

• Relaxation techniques: Practice yoga or meditate regularly. Relaxation techniques promote stress reduction and help you walk more calmly through stressful times.
• Breathing exercises: By breathing deeply in and out, you promote relaxation of body and mind. Breathing exercises are often part of anti-stress therapy.
• Sport: Some find in the rest the balance, the other in sports. Through exercise, you can excellently abreagieren and reduce stress. Endurance sports such as jogging, cycling or swimming are particularly well suited to clear your head.

Avoid all allergens to which you react in stressful times and at the same time promote physical and mental relaxation. This can prevent allergic reactions from becoming excessive and robbing you of the air you breathe.

^{1 Harter, K. et al: Different Psychosocial Factors Are Associated with Seasonal and Perennial Allergies in Adults: CrossSectional Results of the KORA FF4 Study. In: Int Arch Allergy Immunol, 2019, DOI: 10.1159/000499042}