Why Do Allergies Make Me Dizzy?
Some of the most common and frustrating symptoms you can experience during allergy season include nasal congestion, itchy eyes or a runny nose. However, there can be rarer symptoms that can be a direct result of allergic reactions, such as dizziness and vertigo.1 Learn more about these disorienting symptoms, what they feel like and how they’re related to allergies.
What Is Dizziness?
If you experience dizziness, you may feel light-headed, unbalanced or unsteady while on your feet.2 People experience dizziness in different ways, and they can also feel faint or nauseous.2
Vertigo is a similar sensation, but it has a distinctive difference; it can feel like you’re experiencing motion or moving through space, even when you’re perfectly still.2,3 This can manifest as a spinning sensation, and it can be exacerbated by otherwise normal motions.3
Dizziness can be caused by many factors, including:2
- Stress and anxiety
- Dehydration
- Inner ear infections
- Low blood sugar
- Motion sickness
Dizziness can also be a sign of more severe medical issues, such as concussions, anemia or neurological disorders such as migraines and Parkinson’s disease.2 Consult your doctor if dizziness is recurring or affects your ability to move normally, as it can be a symptom of medical conditions that could get worse if left untreated.2
How Allergy-Caused Sinus Infections Can Contribute to Dizziness
The inner ear, which contains the central vestibular system, is vital to maintaining your sense of balance and orientation.3 Nerves located within the inner ear are connected to the eyes and central nervous system.2 These components transmit movement information to the brain to determine your relative positions.2,3 In addition, Eustachian tubes connect the inner ears to the sinuses and are tasked with equalizing air pressure and contributing to one’s sense of balance.1
Since the sinuses are most often affected by allergies, nasal congestion from allergies can contribute to feelings of dizziness: if the Eustachian tubes are swollen or blocked from inflammation or mucus build-up, the signals concerning balance are affected.1
The Importance of Treating Allergies First
Feeling dizzy can potentially lead to a greater risk of falling or injury, which is why it’s important to address this condition if it occurs frequently.2 If you’re experiencing dizziness with additional allergy symptoms, treating allergies first is the most direct solution.1 You can do this with once-daily Flonase Sensimist nasal spray that can deliver 24-hour all-in-one allergy relief* from indoor and seasonal allergies all year round. Discover common treatments for your allergies with the Flonase product that works for you.
* FLONASE SENSIMIST relieves nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, itchy nose, itchy eyes and watery eyes.
Sources:
- Can Allergies Make You Dizzy? Cleveland Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/can-allergies-cause-dizziness/. Accessed 9/6/2024.
- Dizziness. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/6422-dizziness/. Accessed 9/6/2024.
- Causes of dizziness. Vestibular Disorders Association. https://vestibular.org/article/what-is-vestibular/causes-of-dizziness/. Accessed 9/6/2024.
- https://www.racgp.org.au/afp/2016/april/an-approach-to-vertigo-in-general-practice/. Accessed 9/6/2024.
Find the Best Flonase Product For You
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