Why does humidity make my allergies worse?

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On hot humid days allergies become worse due to nasal passages swelling. Humidity can also trigger congestion and pressure on the sinus cavities. Allergy reactions on a humid day sometimes include headaches, watery eyes, sneezing, runny nose, and itchy throat. These severe allergy reactions can often prevent free breathing and extreme respiratory discomfort.

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Reply by kbeez (1):
its so hot out and i sneezed 9 times in a row and my eyes keep watering and they sting now and my throat is sooo dry and itchy and my nose its stuffed i have everything at once its terrible i cant even watch a movie add a comment

Reply by impatient (0):
I know all that and "GOT" all that - but WHY? If I know why, I can get rid of the causes! add a comment

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Answer by jheremans (1446)

Humidity makes your allergies worse because you might be allergic to heat. Humidity makes your body secrete substances such as oil and other minerals to provide a cooling system for you. These substances can trigger and react with allergens which you are allergic to, hence it gets worse. Plus sweat is sticky so bacteria and other foreign objects stick easily.

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posted by Anonymous
People are not allergic to heat itself - meaning the body is not lacking anti-bodies that would fight a heat reaction. < what an allergy is. People are having systemic reactions to their environment which is responding to the heat by producing more allegerns (those you've mentioned plus dust mite). add a comment

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Answer by Salena (93)

First thing, everyone's allergies are diffrent, and diffrent things affect them. Your allergies might be worse in the humidity, because it allows all the bactera/pollen to grow and move around easier. Things like that love humid air. Cold air kills them.

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posted by Anonymous
And dustmites. add a comment

posted by Anonymous
Not everyone's allergies are different (from eachother) ... some people are allergic to the same things and have very similar allergic reactions. Pollen is seasonal and that season is over now (July)...bacteria is not something people are clinically "allergic" to, however, mold and dustmite are. add a comment

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Answer by qwonk (10)

Your allergies could be caused by mold, and mold increases with humidity. Humidity can also cause many plants to produce more pollen, which could also be a cause for your allergies.

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posted by Anonymous
...or dust mites which thrive in conditions of high humidity. add a comment

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Answer by Dorothy (38)

When there is too much humidity you have too much dampness in the air. Which then gives the chance for mold spores to grow. Many people are allergic to the mold spores. Which then would cause your lungs to tighten or the sinuses to swell. Its basicly the particles in the air which then cause you the distress.

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posted by Anonymous
It's not necessarily the mold. It could be dust mite excrement allergy.
This increases as the mold increases / but a person doesn't have to be allergic to mold to feel dust mite allergy symptoms. add a comment

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Answer by Echo (229)

When relative humidity is high, this increases certain irritants in the air. With things like pollen count, mold, and bacteria increase, making our allergies worse.

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posted by Anonymous
....When any humidity is high (relative or actual), the dustmite population grows tremendously. Anyone allergic to dust mite excrement (the allergen) will feel more symptoms during days of high humidity. add a comment

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Answer by momstuna (34)

When the air is humid, there's no wind. Pollen and other allergens cannot be blown away. They're trapped in the air until a breeze comes up, making your allergies worse.

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posted by Anonymous
Pollen and mold are never blown "away" < wherever that is... in fact a breeze will put more allergens into the air. add a comment

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Answer by Bennifer (42)

No. The water vapor in the air makes it harder for dust mites, pet dander, plant pollen etc, to travel through the air. Investing in a humidifier for you home will not only save you money at the drug store, but will be healthier for you!

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posted by Anonymous
Dust mites do not "travel through the air"... their excrement is what people are allergic to. Humidity actually increases the dust mite population and so people are breathing more dustmite poop than usual. add a comment

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Answer by Jaquelynne (594)

When it is humid, the air is much thicker and denser. The allergins that float around in the air don't move away as quickly in the thicker air. Also, it is possible that you have very sensative sinuses or lungs. The humid air is more moist the the added moisture may irritate your sinuses or lungs.

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Answer by Barb3 (1)

Strangely, I am allergic to air in my house that is cooled during the night, I close the windows in daytime. When I go outside, my symptoms disappear. It seems I am allrgic to the indoor air only, help?

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posted by Anonymous
Do you have plants and trees outside your window? This can have an effect, especially if it's outside your bedroom window, but all the windows and doors. add a comment

posted by Anonymous
Get tested for dust mite allergy. You're not allergic to the air in your house, but you may be allergic to the dustmite particles you trap in your home at night. This is why when you go outside your INDOOR allergies don't bother you. add a comment

posted by Anonymous
Here are few things you can do which will help:
Clean the carpet(or get rid of it), Change the AC filter, If you have pets keep them outside, keep your windows open. add a comment

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