Hay Fever At Night – Is It Allergic Rhinitis?

What is hay fever? And what is allergic rhinitis? Discover the difference between your night-time allergies below.

Sick of sneezing? Suffering with dry, itchy eyes? Hampered by hay fever at night? Whether you’re at work or lying in bed trying to sleep, allergies can make everyday life just a little more difficult. But is your hay fever worse in the evening? If you suffer mostly at night, it could be something else.

Are your night-time allergies hay fever or allergic rhinitis?

Allergic rhinitis is a condition where the inside of the nose becomes irritated and swollen due to an allergic reaction. There are two main types of allergic rhinitis – seasonal allergic rhinitis, also known as "hay fever", and perennial allergic rhinitis – usually just referred to as "allergic rhinitis".

Do you wake up sneezing in the middle of the night? Identify which night-time allergy you’re suffering from, so that you can begin managing the symptoms more effectively.

What is hay fever at night?
To understand the difference, you first need to know what causes hay fever and what it actually is.
Do you find yourself sneezing when you simply walk near a patch of freshly cut grass? Hay fever is a common allergy that is triggered by pollen from grass, trees, plants and weeds. It tends to flare up in early spring and the summer months, and is caused when the body makes allergic antibodies in reaction to allergens such as pollen – it’s also known as "seasonal rhinitis". Many people also experience the symptoms of hay fever at night.

Symptoms of hay fever
Signs that you may have hay fever include:

• Itchy eyes
• Dry, itchy throat
• Sneezing
• Blocked nose or sinuses
• Headaches
• Shortness of breath

Are your symptoms worse in the evening? If so, hay fever might not actually be the cause. Night-time allergies can be a sign of perennial allergic rhinitis.

What is allergic rhinitis?
So what is allergic rhinitis? It is a common condition with similar symptoms to those of hay fever, which is why it’s easy to get the two confused. Allergic rhinitis is an inflammation of the inside of the nose caused by an allergen.

While it can happen at any time of day, allergic rhinitis is mainly triggered by indoor allergens, such as dust mite allergens and mould spores contained within curtains, carpets, bedding and mattresses. This is why symptoms can often be worse at night. For example, sneezing at night time is a sign that you could have a dust mite allergy, caused by dust mite allergens in your bedding and soft furnishings.

Symptoms of allergic rhinitis at night
Signs that you may have allergic rhinitis include:

• Sneezing
• Itchiness of the nose
• Blocked or runny nose
• Wheezing or tightened chest at night

Are your allergy symptoms worse at night? If they don’t appear to be going away after the pollen count has dropped, you may be suffering from perennial (year round) allergic rhinitis.

Why are my allergies worse at night and in the morning?

With the symptoms of hay fever and symptoms of allergic rhinitis being so similar, it’s sometimes hard to tell the difference. Just remember, if your hay fever is worse in the evening, it could be due to a different type of allergic reaction. So if you wake up wondering "why do I sneeze more at night?" and you’re concerned or need more information about your night-time allergy, speak with your doctor about your symptoms – they should be able to help you determine the cause.

How to stop allergies at night: Managing the symptoms of allergic rhinitis

The following tips may help you to better manage symptoms of a rhinitis night-time allergy flare up:

• Control pet allergens by keeping animals out of the bedroom: Ever find yourself wondering "why do I sneeze more at night?". It could be because of your beloved pets. Keeping your furry friends out of the bedroom creates an allergen-free zone for you to spend time in before bed, and reduces exposure to your allergy triggers.
• Swap synthetic carpets for natural alternatives: 100% wool carpets or wooden floors are better, as they don’t provide the humid environment that dust mites need to thrive.
• Cut down on cushions: Or replace synthetic inners with all-natural wool-filled alternatives. This makes sure that the dust mites and mould spores have one less place to hide.
• Choose hypoallergenic bedding for allergies: Wool-filled duvets and pillows all create a cool, dry environment where dust mites and mould spores can’t survive. This means you can sleep on in comfort, confident that these allergens are being kept at bay. Better still, there’s no need to wash at a high heat or freeze your bedding to get rid of pesky dust mites. Your wool bedding manages this process naturally.

Whether you’re suffering from hay fever at night or allergic rhinitis, you’ll need hypoallergenic bedding to get you through. Our wool bedding has been awarded the Allergy UK Seal of Approval – guaranteeing a happier, healthier night’s sleep – and that’s the Woolroom difference.

Seeking a great night’s sleep? Don’t let your night-time allergy get you down. Discover more tips to tackle allergies at night, night sweats and more with our Sleep Health and Advice hub. Find our range of bedding for your night-time allergy online today.