Allergy is an unpleasant ailment, which is accompanied by various symptoms. Some of them appear infrequently, which is why this condition is confused with other diseases. Therefore, it is important to know all the signs. Can an allergy give a fever? The answer to this question is presented in the article.
About allergies
An allergy is an excessive reaction of an organism to a component. Symptoms of the disease appear from biochemical reactions that occur due to the action of an allergen.
There are several phases to this condition:
- Immune The allergen acts on the body for the first time. Sensitization occurs - the immune system “remembers” the component, responding to its effect by the formation of antibodies - lgE.
- Pathochemical. It is observed with a second exposure to the allergen in the body. There are many antibodies, they surround the mast cells, which burst, and inflammation occurs. The main one is histamine.
- Pathophysiological. This phase occurs from histamine. This substance dilates peripheral and constricts large vessels, increases the permeability of the vascular wall. Another histamine reduces smooth muscles, enhances the secretion of mucus in the bronchi, in the nose.
The reaction occurs due to the action of the component on receptors that are present in different organs. At this point, the first property is important. The body has several mechanisms for regulating temperature. One of them is the "mobility" of blood vessels. If they expand well, then more heat is given off.
Can an allergy give a fever? Histamine can dilate blood vessels. Because of this, the temperature rises with allergies. But it is important to consider that the “systemic” temperature in adults does not increase in a normal situation. Such an amount of mediator is not released so that it acts so strongly. The temperature for allergies in children and adults is manifested by the same symptoms.
Causes
All of the above is valid. But why does an allergy increase in temperature? When the reaction grows, it acquires a systemic character. The body loses control over the situation, a global process is developing.
There are other situations that cause a non-standard course of the disease. It concerns:
- drug allergies;
- allergies to insect bites;
- photodermatosis;
- serum sickness;
- food allergies.
Can an allergy give a fever? It turns out that this phenomenon is allowed. This symptom can be with various allergic ailments, which are described below.
Allergic rhinitis
For the nasal mucosa, histamine is the enemy. It leads to edema, local redness, the formation of sparse mucous secretions, itching. But with allergic rhinitis, hyperthermia does not appear. Even if the temperature is 37 degrees, you should check whether the diagnosis is correct.
Can an allergy of this kind give temperature? Sometimes with a runny nose there is lacrimation, a feeling of sand in the eyes and other symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis. In this case, an increase in temperature will be likely.
Usually rhinitis appears with seasonal exacerbations, for example, pollinosis - an allergy to pollen. But you should not associate the type or time of allergen activity with the risk of an increase in temperature, they are not interrelated. Therefore, it does not matter in which season the allergy appeared - in the spring when plants bloom, in the autumn when dust mites and molds appear, or in the winter when cold allergies occur.
Allergic cough and bronchitis
It is important to differentiate these terms. Allergic cough is called reflex attempts to cleanse the larynx with perspiration, hoarseness. And bronchitis is a deep process that occurs in the bronchi themselves.
In the first situation, allergies rarely appear, literally a few cases have been recorded. Persistence and cough are similar to allergic rhinitis and appear due to swelling of the mucosa.
Can there be a high temperature for allergies associated with allergic bronchitis? This phenomenon is common. Although hyperthermia, in which a dry cough appears, is considered a symptom of a bacterial or viral process, there are exceptions.
With allergic bronchitis with hyperthermia, complex breathing and a productive cough appear. These signs appear from the 1st day of the disease. It should be borne in mind that such a mediator dilates the vessels of the lungs, increases their throughput function, because of which severe edema and narrowing of the bronchi are formed.
This ailment is accompanied by low-grade fever. Usually the 38 degree mark is the limit. This is a differential symptom: with bacterial or viral bronchitis, the thermometer can also show 39.5 degrees.
Food allergy
Could there be a high fever with this type of allergy? Food allergens are considered to be slightly aggressive. Therefore, temperature changes occur rarely, but it is still possible. Hyperthermia occurs when there is a strong reaction with:
- constant repeated vomiting;
- profuse diarrhea;
- intense abdominal pain;
- headache;
- dizziness.
Usually, a mercury column does not reach higher numbers. The maximum is 37.5 degrees.
Allergic dermatitis
Can an allergy give a temperature of 39 degrees? With allergic dermatitis, this happens in rare cases. Symptom appears only with a large surface of the lesion. Usually this consequence occurs with a “cosmetic” allergy, especially if a test has not been performed. The risk of sunburn combined with an allergy to sunscreen or emollient cream is particularly increased.
Often, the thermometer reaches 37-38 degrees, when with allergies there are other manifestations - respiratory, ophthalmic. Elevated temperatures to extremes are rare. If this symptom appeared with dermatitis, then you need to urgently call a doctor, since a severe generalized reaction is likely to occur.
Photodermatosis
An allergy to the sun is difficult to distinguish from a sunburn. And if these ailments are combined, then the symptoms become strong. Both ailments have unpleasant symptoms, and when they combine, the condition improves markedly.
In sunstroke:
- temperature rises;
- dizziness appears;
- nausea, vomiting develops;
- weakness, loss of consciousness, disorientation are observed.
And with allergies to the sun, there is:
- red rash in the form of blisters;
- itching, peeling;
- redness.
Allergy to insect bites
In this case, can an allergy give a temperature to a child or an adult? Bites and stings often lead to this symptom. But it should be borne in mind that, as in the past case, not so much immune processes appear at temperature, but their combination with the main factor.
Toxic components that enter the bloodstream themselves can lead to hyperthermia. Especially with the bites of a wasp, bee, hornet, gadfly. And with allergies, vascular permeability is higher, so absorption is better.
The temperature in this situation can rise to 38 degrees. There is a deterioration in well-being, weakness, headache. This is accompanied by local symptoms:
- hyperemia (redness) of the injection site;
- severe itching;
- rash near the bite;
- the appearance of signs of allergies from other organs and systems.
The temperature for allergies in children and adults is similar. Usually, people also experience severe psychological discomfort from these symptoms.
Drug allergy
The temperature from an allergy to medications appears often. It can reach 38-39 degrees. A drug allergy is a dangerous condition. Means are administered in large enough doses.
But why do not severe symptoms appear with gastrointestinal allergies? Since not all components are not completely absorbed in the intestine, they are partially removed. In addition, the allergen needs to overcome many obstacles in order to penetrate the blood.
A drug, especially administered parenterally, enters the bloodstream faster. Life threatening is anaphylactic shock. Therefore, an increase in temperature is considered even a positive sign. Still likely to appear:
- itching, rashes;
- weakness, dizziness;
- sneezing, lacrimation;
- soft tissue edema.
Serum sickness
With this pathology, the temperature can also rise. Allergy has 4 types. The first 3 are immediate, and the last is slow. Serum sickness is an immunocomplex type 3 hypersensitivity reaction. It appears on vaccines, serums, blood components. And antigens that penetrate into the blood in large quantities are formed by antibodies, creating immune complexes "antigen-antibody." These formations accumulate in the walls of blood vessels and lead to their inflammation.
Symptoms for these reactions are the same: after 1-1.5 weeks, severe hypothermia occurs, and then hyperthermia. A temperature of 40 degrees is common for this pathology. Other symptoms include the appearance of:
- pain, swelling, redness in the area of administration of the drug;
- enlargement and soreness of the lymph nodes;
- rash on the body;
- pain, swelling of the joints;
- laryngeal edema;
- heart muscle lesions;
- disorders of the nervous system.
Usually these symptoms disappear after a few days. Allergies can manifest themselves in slightly different ways depending on different groups of people.
In the elderly
In this case, the allergy has less intense symptoms. To confirm this statement, it is worth giving an example of the fact that people 65-70 years old do not experience severe pain even with appendicitis.
Since the symptoms are alleviated even with allergies, the diagnosis is complicated, subjective sensations are almost absent. The temperature can increase only with a strong reaction, which is expressed intensively. A problem develops with the introduction of the drug and with serum sickness. The temperature rises to 37-38 degrees.
In pregnant
If the temperature rises in pregnant women, you should consult a doctor. At the same time, you should not independently find out why this reaction appeared.
But it should be borne in mind that hyperthermia appears in pregnant women much less often than in ordinary women. The reason is that the immunity during the bearing of the child weakens, allergies are frequent, but usually insignificant. Most often, allergic rhinitis appears. Ailments have no tendency to generalize the process.
In children
The body of the child is most sensitive to irritants. Therefore, allergies are often accompanied by fever. According to Dr. Komarovsky, it is important to determine whether it is really an allergic reaction. For example, identifying whether an allergic cough or an infectious one has appeared, it should be borne in mind that there are no temperature reactions with hypersensitivity.
And when the temperature reaches 38 degrees for no particular reason, then this is probably an allergy. But with it, after 2-3 days, other manifestations appear: allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, skin signs. Children usually have a strong immune response to vaccinations and medication.
Another option is the occurrence of only temperature as the main symptom of an allergic reaction. This option should be considered only in children. This is a sign of low immunity activity and severe allergies.
Determine that it is a symptom of an allergy, according to information from the anamnesis. It is established whether there was contact with an allergen, or the child was in the prodromal period of an infectious disease. But it is still necessary to focus on the fact that with allergies, the temperature should be absent. It is advisable to visit a pediatrician.
How much the temperature holds for allergies depends on the individual characteristics of the person. It also affects what means are used to lower this indicator.
Diagnostics
This is a necessary event. Temperature, even a small one, is considered a dangerous symptom. If it remains without apparent reason, then this may be a sign of serious, dangerous ailments. But the temperature with allergies is a non-standard phenomenon. Therefore, it should be checked that hyperthermia really arose from an allergic reaction.
It is important to consider the symptoms. If there is a runny nose, cough, sore throat, lacrimation, it is necessary to distinguish between allergies and respiratory illness. It is important to consider the following information:
- In acute respiratory infections, there is a runny nose with viscous, greenish discharge. There may also be a tendency to nasal congestion without rhinorrhea. With allergies, the mucus will be liquid, transparent.
- ARI causes headaches, heaviness in the head, weakness, itching.
If there are gastrointestinal symptoms, allergy should be distinguished from poisoning or intestinal infection. With the infectious process, the temperature rises more than 39 degrees. Usually this is manifested by blanching of the skin, weakness, dizziness. In difficult cases, loss of consciousness is likely.
There may also be vomiting, nausea, there is a risk of dehydration. With allergies, the condition is better, the symptoms are milder. The temperature does not rise more than 37.5 degrees. Photodermatosis should be distinguished from heat stroke.
Treatment
If there is a temperature for allergies, what should I do? If it does not rise more than 38 degrees and does not cause great concern, then it should not be knocked down. She goes on her own.
Doctors usually recommend drinking plenty of fluids. Water, tea, herbal decoctions, rosehip broth, fruit drinks, compote are suitable for this. Lemon and mint are added to the drinks. You can not take fruit juices (if there is a food allergy), sweet soda.
Medicines
How to bring down the temperature with allergies? If it does not decrease, then the following are used:
- antipyretic drugs - Paracetamol, and for children - Nurofen;
- antihistamines - “Claritin”, “Zirtek”, “Suprastin”;
- enterosorbents for food allergies - Smecta, Polysorb.
As indicated in the instructions for use, Suprastin tablets for adults are effective for allergies to drugs and insect bites. After taking the drug, it is rapidly absorbed, reaching a maximum concentration in the body after 2 hours. Symptoms disappear after 20 minutes. As indicated in the instructions for use, Suprastin tablets for adults last about 7 hours. You need to take 1 tablet 1-4 times a day. The daily dosage of Suprastin for allergies should not exceed 100 mg or 4 tablets.
There are other drugs. Helps with allergies gel Fenistil. The tool eliminates allergic rhinitis, allergies from insect bites, food and drug allergies. The gel is applied in a thin layer to a painful area of the skin.
You should not use hormonal drugs, even with local allergies. There are risks of an error in the diagnosis, and then when using glucocorticoids, the likelihood of spread of the infection increases several times.
It is advisable not to engage in self-medication at all. If for several hours, with good drinking and taking 1 dose of Nurofen and an antihistamine, the temperature does not decrease, you should consult a doctor.
Prevention
It is important to deal with the prevention of allergies, its exacerbations. Prevent temperature increase with:
- stopping an allergy attack;
- exclusion of uncontrolled intake of antihistamines;
- timely access to a doctor.
Temperature reduction
Is it possible to lower the temperature? This is allowed. Anaphylactic shock is considered a dangerous phenomenon. A person appears pallor, cold sweat, lowers pressure and temperature. Need urgent medical attention. Before arrival, an ambulance is given an antihistamine.
There are still reasons for lowering the temperature:
- 1st stage of serum sickness. This applies to the vascular reaction that appears from subsidence on the walls of arterioles, venules, capillaries of immune complexes.
- "Small" signs of a food reaction in infants. This applies to rash, itching, peeling, redness, diaper rash, ulcers, lowering the temperature.
An allergy, not a fever, is what needs therapy. It is necessary to identify the allergen and try to avoid any contact with it.
For food allergies in infants, enterosorbents, rectal suppositories or syrup with antihistamines are used.
But serum sickness can be prevented. According to Dr. Komarosky, 2-3 days before vaccination, the child is given a dose of antihistamine. But first you need to consult with a specialist.
Thus, a change in temperature with an allergy is considered an uncharacteristic symptom, but nevertheless it sometimes occurs. It is important not to self-medicate, but to consult a doctor. The sooner the cause of this symptom is identified, the easier it will be to eliminate it.