It’s wonderful to crawl into bed for a restful sleep after a long, busy day. However, if you suffer from worsening allergies at night, this rest time can quickly become frustrating as you try to sleep through your allergy symptoms like sneezing, sniffling, or coughing.
If you struggle to sleep because of allergies, you may wonder, “What makes my allergies worse at night?” This article looks at several possible allergens or triggers that can cause you to experience harsher allergy symptoms throughout the night.
Dust Mites Can Make Allergies Worse at Night
Dust mites are microscopic allergens, invisible to the naked eye, that can be found in nearly every home in the country. These creatures thrive in things like bedding, furniture, and carpet because these items consistently collect skin cells and other human debris.
Patients with a dust mite allergy may notice their allergies worsen whenever they crawl under the covers and lay their heads on the pillow.
Dust mite allergy symptoms can include:
- Congestion
- Excessive coughing
- Eye irritation
- Itchy skin
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
If you have a dust mite allergy, wash your sheets regularly in hot water, change your bedding at least once a week, and consider applying specialized allergy covers to your pillow, mattress, or furniture.
Pet Dander Can Make Allergies Worse at Night
Those suffering from pet allergies can experience stronger symptoms at night for reasons such as:
- The pet sleeps in the bedroom, too
- The pet dander travels into the bedroom during the shuffle of the nightly routine
- The pet has access to the bedroom during the day
Even if a patient does not own an indoor pet, dander can still travel into the house from outdoor pets.
Pet dander allergy symptoms can include:
- Congestion
- Excessive sneezing
- Eye irritation
- Rash development
- Shallow breath
- Wheezing
If your pet dander allergy symptoms worsen at night, consider making your bedroom a pet-free zone. Also, wash your clothes and body after exposure to animals.
Mold Spores Can Make Allergies Worse at Night
Mold allergies can flare up at night, especially if your bedroom is developing mold growth or your room is adjacent to a bathroom with mold and mildew.
Mold allergy symptoms care include:
- Congestion
- Excessive coughing
- Excessive sneezing
- Eye irritation
If you have a mold allergy and are experiencing symptoms at night, check for leaks in your room and throughout the house. Use dehumidifiers if your moisture levels are high, keep your bathrooms clean, and ensure your ventilation systems are working correctly.
If your allergies worsen at night, turn to the specialists at Langford Allergy.
Our team will conduct a thorough allergy test to determine the root cause of your allergies and jumpstart your path to nighttime relief. Call us to schedule your allergy-testing appointment today: 478-787-4728
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