Can You Get a Fever from Allergies?

Jul 17, 2024

woman with a facemask checking a thermometer

When discussing allergies, a common question arises: can these allergies cause a fever?  This is more than just a simple curiosity – it's about knowing how to look after your health properly. Understanding how allergies work helps you manage your symptoms better. For example, if you're sneezing a lot around pets, is that just allergies, or could it be something else? Knowing whether allergies can cause a fever or not helps you figure out what's going on with your body. If you know that allergies don't usually cause fevers, then a fever might be a sign of something else, like a cold or another illness.

What Are Allergies and How Do They Affect Your Body?

Allergies are a common issue that happens when your body's immune system mistakenly thinks harmless things like pollen, pet hair, or dust are dangerous. Your body is releasing chemicals called histamines. Histamines are part of your body's immune system, and they jump into action when your body detects something it thinks is harmful, even if it's actually not. This is why you get those familiar allergy symptoms. It's your body trying to protect you, but it's a bit of an overreaction to things that are usually safe. Understanding this can help you manage your allergies better. For instance, if you know you're allergic to something, you can take steps to avoid it or use medicines that help control your symptoms.

Difference Between Allergies and a Fever-Inducing Illness

When trying to figure out if you're dealing with allergies or something else, like a cold or flu that can cause a fever, it's really helpful to pay close attention to your symptoms. Allergies usually show up as ongoing problems that seem to get worse when you're around certain things, like pets, pollen, or dust. For instance, if you start sneezing, get a runny nose, or have itchy eyes whenever you're near a cat or in a dusty room, it's likely allergies. These symptoms tend to stick around as long as you're exposed to whatever you're allergic to.

On the other hand, illnesses that can cause a fever, like the common cold or the flu, often have different symptoms and it’s because of a virus. Along with a fever, which is a body temperature higher than normal, you might feel achy all over, really tired, or even have a sore throat. These symptoms can come on pretty quickly and don't usually depend on being around certain things like with allergies. So, if you're feeling these kinds of symptoms and also have a fever, it's more likely that you've caught a cold or another kind of infection. 

Is Fever a Symptom of Allergies?

Usually, allergies don't make you have a fever. That's more likely to happen when you're sick with something like a cold or the flu, not allergies. If you're feeling symptoms like you do with allergies but also have a fever, it might mean you have an infection instead of, or maybe along with, your allergies.

Can Pet Allergies Cause Different Symptoms?

Pet allergies, specifically to cats and dogs, are caused by proteins found in the pet's skin cells, urine, and saliva. For cat allergies, the main protein to watch out for is called Fel D1. If you're allergic to dogs, it's usually because of proteins known as Can F1 and Can F2. These allergens typically lead to common allergy signs but don't often cause a fever. The usual symptoms are things like sneezing, a nose that's either runny or blocked, eyes that itch or water, and sometimes you might get skin issues. But remember, if you have a pet and start getting a fever, it's really important to think about other reasons for it, like maybe an infection or a different health problem.

What Are the Best Ways to Manage Pet Allergies?

Managing pet allergies involves reducing exposure to allergens. This can include:

  • Regularly clean your home using Pacagen’s Dog Neutralizing Spray (Coming Soon!) and Pacagen’s Cat Neutralizing Spray to reduce allergens.
  • Use air purifiers to filter out pet dander.
  • Avoid close contact with pets to limit allergen exposure.
  • Take pet allergy medicine like antihistamines to relieve pet allergy symptoms.
  • Use saline nasal sprays and washes as natural remedies to clear nasal passages of allergens.

When to Seek Medical Attention?

If your symptoms are persistent, it's advisable to talk to a doctor or a healthcare person. They can help determine if what you're feeling is because of allergies, an infection, or something else. Plus, they can tell you the best way to get better, whether that's taking care of your allergies or dealing with a different health problem.


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