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Posted in Uncategorized | July 7, 2025
When most people think of allergies, they picture sneezing fits, stuffiness, a runny nose, and itchiness. What you might not be aware of is that allergies can also trigger dizziness.
When severe or frequent, dizzy spells can disrupt your life and affect your overall well-being. Keep reading to learn more about dizziness caused by allergies and how you can get relief.
Allergies occur when your immune system overreacts to a foreign substance that is typically harmless to most people. These substances are called allergens and include pollen, dust mites, mold, pet dander, some foods, certain medications, latex, and insect stings.
Your immune system usually protects and defends your body from intruders, like germs, by releasing protective proteins called antibodies. These antibodies destroy pathogens, preventing disease and infection.
With allergies, your immune system produces antibodies called Immunoglobulin E (IgE) that are specific to a particular allergen. The first time you’re exposed to that allergen, these IgE antibodies mark it as harmful, even though it’s not dangerous.
The next time you come into contact with the same allergen, your immune system produces allergen-specific IgE antibodies, which recognize it as a threat. To get rid of the perceived intruder, IgE binds to the offending allergen and mast cells.
IgE then instructs the mast cells to release chemicals, including histamine, to eliminate the allergen. As histamine attempts to expel the allergen from your body, it causes inflammation and increased mucus production.
This triggers allergy symptoms, such as sneezing, wheezing, itching, coughing, a runny nose, and hives on the throat, nose, lungs, or skin.
Dizziness is the feeling of being unsteady, lightheaded, or weak. When you’re dizzy, you might find it difficult to move.
You might even stagger when walking or feel as though you’ll fall or faint. Vertigo is the sensation that you or the world around you is spinning or moving.
There are various ways allergies can induce dizziness and vertigo, including:
Once you’re exposed to an allergen, your immune system releases histamine to fight off the perceived invader. Although histamine is meant to protect you, it can cause vasodilation.
Vasodilation is the widening of blood vessels, which increases blood flow into an area, in this case, your inner ear and brain. This can lead to dizziness and vertigo.
Eustachian tubes are the tiny canals that connect your middle ears to the back of the throat. These tubes equalize air pressure between the external environment and your middle ear, providing a sense of balance.
They also drain fluid, keeping it from accumulating inside your ears. Inflammation and swelling from allergies can block your Eustachian tubes, leading to Eustachian tube dysfunction.
Clogged Eustachian tubes can’t regulate air pressure, and as a result, you may experience dizziness and vertigo.
Allergies are one of the leading causes of sinus infections. Sinusitis or a sinus infection is the swelling or inflammation of the sinuses.
Sinuses are the air-filled spaces behind your eyes, cheeks, forehead, and nose. When you’re exposed to an allergen, your immune system initiates a cascade of actions, including the release of histamine, to eliminate the allergen.
Histamines can cause inflammation in your sinuses and nose. Inflammation may narrow or block your sinus openings, preventing proper drainage of mucus.
It also increases mucus production to flush out the inhaled allergen. However, with your sinuses clogged, mucus has nowhere to go.
As a result, mucus can build up, providing ideal conditions for germs, such as viruses or bacteria, to multiply and cause an infection. When your sinuses are inflamed and swollen, they can exert pressure on your inner ear, which helps maintain your balance, leading to dizziness or vertigo.
If you experience severe or frequent bouts of dizziness, it’s crucial to visit an ENT specialist. They’ll assess your symptoms, perform tests, and determine if allergies are to blame for your dizziness or vertigo.
However, if any of the below accompanies your symptoms, go to the emergency room right away. These could be warning signs of a serious condition that requires urgent medical attention:
Treating your allergies can alleviate dizziness and vertigo. Depending on the specific allergen and severity of your symptoms, your treatment options may include:
Staying away from your allergens can help you manage your allergies and reduce your symptoms. If you can’t completely avoid the substances you’re allergic to, try to minimize your exposure.
For instance, if you have a dust mite allergy, use dustproof covers on your mattresses and pillows, wash your bedding frequently, and clean your floors with a damp mop. For pollen allergies, keep windows shut during pollen season and check the pollen count so you can remain indoors when pollen levels peak.
There are various options for combating allergies, including over-the-counter and prescription medications. Antihistamines can relieve inflammation that could be causing your dizziness and vertigo.
Another type of medication is nasal corticosteroids, which can help reduce swelling and pressure in your sinuses. Decongestant nasal sprays can also be used to alleviate nasal congestion, decrease mucus buildup in your sinuses, and control dizziness.
Your ENT specialist may recommend immunotherapy if your allergies are not responding to conventional treatments. Immunotherapy can treat conditions such as peanut allergies and certain environmental allergies.
The treatment involves taking small, increasing doses of the offending allergen. Over time, this helps your immune system develop a tolerance to the allergen, significantly reducing or eliminating your allergy symptoms.
At Specialty Care Institute, our ENT specialists can accurately diagnose your condition and create a personalized treatment plan to bring you long-term relief from allergies and dizziness.
Are you struggling with allergies and dizziness? Schedule your appointment at Specialty Care Institute in Barrington, Arlington Heights, Hoffman Estates, and Elgin, IL, today!
