Medically reviewed by Daniel More, MD
Allergies happen everywhere, and you may have experienced one yourself or know someone who has had a severe reaction. You might think a fever is just another scary symptom of seasonal or year-round allergies. Fortunately, you can rest assured that you don’t have to worry about a fever when you have allergy symptoms because allergies don’t cause fever. However, having a fever along with allergy symptoms may be a sign that you may have another problem.
Allergies are a common condition that occur when your body mounts an overactive immune response to harmless substances like pollen, animal dander, or dust. While you may experience a variety of allergies, they often cause many of the same symptoms. If you have a fever, it’s most likely not from allergies. However, a fever coupled with allergy symptoms may indicate another health problem.
Allergic rhinitis, also known as “hay fever,” is characterized by inflammation within the nose. The inclusion of the word “fever” is misleading; the fever itself comes from the body’s process of fighting infection, not just allergies. Fever is the immune system’s natural response to trying to kill an infection that is trying to harm you.
How allergy symptoms affect different people
Everyone’s allergies are different. However, you won’t get a fever from allergies. About 56% of adults in the United States are allergic to environmental allergies such as pollen, although these are not the only types of allergens. However, you may also have food allergies or even allergies to certain materials or metals. Just like there are several different types of allergies, people react to them in different ways.
Some of the most common allergy symptoms include:
If you’re not sure what you’re allergic to, you can find out with an allergy test. Allergy testing can help you take steps to protect you from allergens in the future. The most well-known type of allergy test is a prick test, which involves applying an allergen to the skin and leaving it for about 20 minutes to see if a reaction occurs. There are other types of allergy testing, such as patch testing, that don’t require needles.
You may notice that in some cases, your allergy symptoms are less severe than others. Or, if you have environmental allergies, you may notice that they only flare up on certain days. Certain types of pollen may be more prevalent in the air than others, causing symptoms to increase and affect you more on certain days. So, can seasonal allergies cause fever? They can’t—a fever may be a sign of a larger problem.
What does having a fever mean?
A fever can indicate a number of things going on with your body, but at a baseline level, it means your immune system is trying to fight off something. Fever does not usually occur due to allergies, so when you think you have allergies and a fever, the fever may be caused by something else.
Fever is the body’s defense mechanism and is completely natural. They exist to create an environment in which bacteria or viruses present in the system cannot multiply. Your body temperature is usually highest at night, so if you’re worried about having a fever, you should check your temperature regularly throughout the day.
While your temperature may seem alarming, you generally don’t need to worry about it being higher than usual. If your symptoms persist for more than 10 days or medicine does not help relieve symptoms, you should see a health care provider. 4 Otherwise, just pay close attention and try to relieve symptoms with rest and over-the-counter relief. Top of the line over the counter (OTC) treatments.
Potential causes of fever with allergy-like symptoms
Many illnesses are similar to what you feel when you have allergies. Therefore, it can be difficult at first to know if your allergies are acting up or if your body is fighting off an infection. There are some common reasons why you may have a fever along with allergy symptoms, but sinus allergies themselves do not cause a fever.
sinusitis
Sinusitis or a sinus infection occurs when the lining of the sinuses becomes inflamed. This can be caused by allergies, bacteria, viruses, or even fungi. You can easily distinguish sinusitis from other conditions because it causes slight swelling in the sinus area of your face. Although allergies can make your face swell, this is because your body is flushing out the allergens.
Sinusitis is more of an infection caused by allergies or a cold, which can thicken your mucus and cause painful swelling. You may also develop a cough or sore throat. Your healthcare provider can examine you and help you understand which disease you have.
common cold
Most commonly, you either don’t have a fever or you have a low-grade fever from the common cold. Fever usually occurs at the beginning of a cold, which itself may last up to a week. Colds often cause symptoms such as sore throat and cough. You may notice that your cough lasts longer than any other symptoms.
Coronavirus disease
One of the most well-known symptoms of COVID-19 is fever, in addition to other cold-like symptoms. These symptoms include chills and muscle pain. If you suspect you may have COVID-19, try to get tested right away. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a positive result means you should self-isolate and stay home for about five days when you are most contagious.
How to Diagnose Illnesses and Diseases Allergies
A fever is a telltale sign that you have more than just allergies, as seasonal allergies do not cause fever. Sinus allergies also don’t cause fever, but they may lead to sinusitis, which may be accompanied by a mild fever, depending on your symptoms.
Your healthcare provider will look at all of your symptoms to find an accurate diagnosis. Allergies can often be well controlled at home, so if you find yourself having difficulty treating your symptoms, it may be a sign of a medical condition. Shortness of breath and nausea are not allergy symptoms, so if you are experiencing these symptoms, it is most likely due to illness or another cause.
How to relieve allergy symptoms
To control allergies, you can help support your immune system with natural remedies or complementary medicines. The next time you feel sick from an allergen and must reduce your fever at the same time, try to relieve your allergy symptoms so your body can help you recover from any other illness.
get enough rest
When you’re not feeling well, whether it’s from allergy symptoms or illness, you need more rest than usual. On average, adults need seven hours or more of sleep to feel good the next day, and you should make sure your sleep is minimally disrupted. When you are sick, you need more rest. Getting enough rest on a consistent basis can help you avoid getting sick frequently.
taking over-the-counter medicines
Sometimes allergies can be severe and only certain medications can help. Some medications can treat more localized symptoms, such as hives, while others can help relieve a runny or stuffy nose. Fortunately, you don’t need a prescription to buy the medication over the counter.
Some over-the-counter allergy medications you can get include:
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Allegra (fexofenadine)
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Claritan (loratadine)
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Flonase (fluticasone)
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Xyzal (Levocetirizine)
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Zyrtec (cetirizine)
If you have a fever, especially if it’s over 102 degrees, you may also need to take some fever-reducing and pain-relieving medications. You can find these medications at any drug store. Be sure to check them with any other medications you are taking to make sure there are no negative interactions. Some of the most common over-the-counter pain relievers for fever include Advil (ibuprofen) or Tylenol (acetaminophen).
Related: How to Treat Urticaria (Hives)?
drink liquids
Drinking water is a great way to clear allergies from your body while also relieving fever. Middle-aged adults who don’t drink enough water are at risk for chronic disease and a shortened lifespan, and your average daily water intake depends on factors such as your weight and age.
You should strive to drink the amount of water that works best for you. Preventing dehydration can help you fight allergy symptoms and fever. It is especially helpful in treating seasonal allergies.
Consider allergy relief
You can reduce allergy symptoms by taking steps to avoid certain things or find other treatments. For example, if you have seasonal or environmental allergies, you can avoid these allergens by wearing a mask or sunglasses to keep them away from your face when you go out. You may also consider staying indoors on days when pollen counts are higher.
Another good solution is to take allergy shots or sublingual lozenges (tablets placed under the tongue), also known as immunotherapy. This treatment helps your body adjust to the allergen so that you no longer have an overactive immune response when exposed to the allergen. Another option is to clean consistently to ensure fewer allergens are present in your home.
Treating a fever yourself
Sometimes, you may want to choose to treat an illness at home, especially if the condition is not particularly severe. Fortunately, there are some simple ways to take care of yourself and help your body heal.
Here are some common ways to treat a fever at home:
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Take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) or ibuprofen (ibuprofen).
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Drink plenty of fluids and get enough sleep to help your body recover.
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Wear lightweight clothing to help cool your body.
Of course, if the fever lasts too long or the temperature is too high, you need to see a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. Your provider will know how to lower your fever and make your pain and other symptoms feel more manageable.
When to contact a health care provider
When your symptoms start to become more severe or unusual, you should consult a health care professional. Get help for your fever if:
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Your child is 3 months or younger and has a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher
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Your child is 3-12 months old and has a fever of 102.2 degrees or higher
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Your child is 2 years or older and has a fever that lasts more than 24-48 hours
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You or your child has had a fever for more than 48-72 hours
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You or your child has a fever of 105 degrees or higher
Seeking treatment can help relieve symptoms and potentially save you from a life-threatening allergic reaction. Likewise, if you’re concerned about a particularly stubborn fever, you should get it checked out by someone who can help you.
After a few days, your fever will go away as your body heals. However, if your fever is high enough to worry you, especially if the fever is accompanied by symptoms such as confusion or difficulty breathing, you should see your doctor. If you feel any unusual pain when you have a fever, seek medical attention.
quick review
Can seasonal allergies cause fever? No, a fever may indicate a different problem. You should rest assured that your sinus allergies are not causing your fever, but you should also know when to see your healthcare provider for some extra help. Knowing the difference between allergy symptoms and some of the most common “similar” conditions can help you save a trip to the doctor.
Staying well hydrated and getting enough rest are the cornerstones of taking care of yourself. The next time you have a fever along with allergy symptoms, try to notice if there are any other symptoms that are different from the unusual symptoms you typically experience with allergies.
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