Allergy Load & Histamine Burden: Why You May React Worse Later in the Day

You wake up and feel great. As morning progresses to afternoon, and afternoon progresses to evening, you feel lousy. You don’t understand what caused the sudden change and wonder if you’re coming down with something. 

Late-day allergy fatigue is real, and it’s the reason behind your sudden symptom flare-ups. It comes down to your allergy load and histamine burden. Premium Allergy‘s guide helps you understand what these are and how they impact how you feel as the afternoon fades into evening.

What is an Allergy Load?

Every day, you’re exposed to different allergens. You breathe them in. They’re in your hair, on your clothes, and even on your skin. You might swallow them. Each time you’re exposed to that allergen, you’re adding to your allergy load.

In Fresno, there are so many allergens, and how you’re exposed to them depends on the type.

• Agricultural Allergens
• Dust Mites 
• Mold
• Pet Dander
• Pollen

Even if you don’t live near or have an allergen in your home, the microscopic particles can travel miles on the wind or through a dirty HVAC system. You may be exposed to an allergen without realizing it.

Typically, allergens aren’t a problem on their own. But you’re exposed all day, and those allergens build up. That’s known as your “allergy load.” When enough are present, it triggers allergic reactions that can range from mild to severe.

What is a Histamine Burden?

As your allergy load increases, the allergens trigger a histamine response. Histamines release a chemical message that increases blood flow, widens your blood vessels, and makes your blood vessels more permeable. 

Histamines are responsible for the key symptoms of an allergy – increased mucus production, itchiness, nasal congestion, redness, and sneezing. The problem is that exposure to allergens is not the only reason histamines build up. They also develop in response to exercise, foods that are fermented or aged, and stress.

Your histamine burden is a measure of how many histamines are building up. There are three stages.

• Low Histamine Burden – The histamine levels are low, usually because you’re just waking up and getting started, and your body hasn’t been exposed to excessive allergens yet.
• Increasing Histamine Burden – You’re going through the day and becoming exposed to different allergens. It hasn’t reached the tipping point yet, but you do have histamines starting to get to work.
• High Histamine Burden – It’s late afternoon or evening, and you’ve gone through an entire day of exposure to allergens. Even if you’re now at home in a clean, allergy-free environment, your histamines have had all day to soar. This is why you find your allergy symptoms increase at night. 

What Causes Your Allergies?

Finding the right approach to your allergies depends on knowing your triggers. Fresno’s climate and surrounding agricultural land play a role in some of the area’s most common allergens. You need to understand exactly what is responsible for your allergies. 

It can be hard to pinpoint your allergies, but it’s important. Keep a journal of when your symptoms flare up and compare it to what you were exposed to that day. Understanding those allergens helps you manage your allergy load.

1. Agricultural Allergens

Fresno County has more than 1.8 million acres of agricultural land growing more than 300 crops. Some of the area’s prevalent crops include almonds, cherries, garlic, grapes, peaches, pistachios, and tomatoes.

The area also has a thriving cattle and milk farm industry. Poultry farms are also common. Cows and poultry are sources of pet dander that you may not even consider when you’re experiencing allergies.

Animals need grains, which are another source of allergens. More natural fertilizers and pest control methods, such as sulfur powder or diatomaceous earth, can also lead to allergic reactions and worsen asthma symptoms.

2. Dust Mites

Dust mites thrive in warm, humid rooms. If your home doesn’t have an HVAC system that removes excess humidity, dust mites are multiplying in your bedding, carpets, throw blankets, and upholstered furniture. 

3. Mold

Humidity in the area from watering fields and orchards, rainfall in the winter season, poor bathroom ventilation, and problems with leaks in your home increase the risk of mold and mildew growth. 

4. Pollen

Fresno’s pollen allergy season starts with tree pollen in the spring, and progresses to grass and weed pollen. Trees like cedar, oak, and pine are problematic for many allergy sufferers. Summer’s Bermuda and Johnson grass are prevalent in the summer and cause flare-ups. Ragweed is one of the late-summer and fall’s most prevalent weed pollens in Fresno.

We’ve only listed some of the most common allergens. There are thousands of possibilities. Winds can carry pollen for miles, which makes it hard to pinpoint exactly what triggers your allergies. 

This is why we believe it’s so important to keep a journal that details where you were, what month it is, and how you felt. Tree pollen allergies are more common in the spring, while ragweed is more likely to affect you in the fall.

Tips for Managing Your Allergy and Histamine Burden

What can Fresno area residents do to lower their histamine burden? 

• Close Windows: Keep windows closed and run your HVAC system or air purifiers. You want to keep outdoor allergens from coming into your home.
• Pollen Counts: Check the daily pollen counts before you go outside. If they’re high, wear a mask or limit your time outside, especially from late morning to early afternoon when pollen release is highest.
• Remove Problem Plants: If you have trees or plants in your yard that trigger your allergies, consider removing them. Keep your grass mowed short and make sure you remove weeds from garden beds.
• Shower When Coming Inside: After spending time outside, you have allergens in your clothing and hair. Come inside, remove your clothes, and take a shower. As soon as you can, get your pollen-covered clothing into the wash.
• Vacuum Daily: Find time to vacuum your carpets and upholstery as often as possible. Daily is ideal.
• Wipe Hard Surfaces: Use a damp cloth to wipe hard surfaces like tables, TV stands, and window sills. Remove as much dust and pollen as you can.

After you get allergen counts lower, it’s time to control your histamine response.

• Avoid High-Histamine Foods: If your body reacts to foods like fermented foods, cheeses, smoked meats, or wine, consume them in moderation. 
• Drink Plenty of Water: A newer guideline regarding water intake is to aim for 2.7 liters for women or 3.7 liters for men. It’s important to consider that about 20% of your water intake comes from the foods you eat. Very active people may need more water than others. You want to stay hydrated to help your body flush out contaminants and keep mucus flowing.
• Reduce Stress: Try to avoid excessive stress. You can do this by engaging in exercises like Yoga or doing something that soothes you, such as reading a book or taking a bath.
• Take Over-the-Counter Antihistamines: Over-the-counter antihistamines and allergy medications help reduce histamine responses. See if they help. If they don’t, talk to a doctor about prescription medications or immunotherapy options.

Ease Your Symptoms and Enjoy an Active Life

You don’t have to lock yourself up in a room with an air purifier running on high. Allergy treatments have come a long way over the decades, and there are allergy shots and sublingual treatments that work well at reducing allergy symptoms and stopping new allergies from developing.

The key to feeling better is to fully understand your allergies. Reducing exposure to allergens is one thing, but it’s not the only solution. Schedule an appointment with Premium Allergy & Respiratory Center.

Work with Dr. Angela Sabry, a specialist in allergies and immunology, and take steps to end evening allergy flare-ups for good. She has more than 15 years of experience helping children and adults reduce allergy and asthma symptoms.