11 Things That Can Make Allergies Worse

If you want to make allergy season more bearable, start by avoiding these allergy aggravators.

When your nose fills and your eyes run, you know where to place blame — on the ragweed, dust, mold, or other allergen that triggered your reaction. Yet many everyday items, from fruit to clothing, alcohol to scented candles, can also make your allergies flare.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: How to Prevent Allergies

Here are 11 allergy aggravators to avoid this season.

1. Stress

Stress doesn’t cause allergies, but it could make your symptoms worse. A study in Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology finds people who are stressed have more allergy flares. When you’re under stress, your body releases cortisol and other hormones that set off your body’s inflammatory response to an allergen. Living with a constant stuffed nose and watery eyes can put you in a foul mood, which could make your symptoms even worse. “While alleviating stress won’t cure allergies, it may help decrease episodes of intense symptoms,” says lead study author and allergist, Amber Patterson, MD.

Next >>