Link between obesity and (seasonal) allergies?

Lietchi

I've been in lockdown 6 weeks and working from home is boring So I thought I'd post a question here so see if anyone has any relevant information or personal experiences with regards to (seasonal) allergies.

Up until 2 years ago, I didn't have any allergies at all. But the past two years I suddenly had quite bad seasonal allergies. Oral anti-histamines helped, but only partially. Well, I say seasonal allergies, but it was pretty much from February to November
I went to the doctor last October and tests showed I was allergic to tree pollen, weed pollen, dust mites, dogs and horses.

Fast forward to now: we're already well into April and aside from a nose spray, I haven't used any anti-histamines yet, and only now am I beginning to get an occasional runny nose and sneeze and no irritated eyes yet.

Which got me thinking... The past two years, I had crept up to my highest weight ever, around 34 BMI, until I started my weight loss journey in August of last year, going from obese to overweight in February. My food habits haven't changed much (except the number of calories) but I have started to exercise a lot more.

Has anyone experienced any change in their (seasonal) allergies following changes in their weight? Or following a change in the amount of exercise they do?
Not asking for any medical advice (although scientific studies would interest me too) Just curious if anyone has any anecdotal evidence for a link between weight/exercise and allergies?

MelanieCN77

I would say you're less exposed to allergens stuck at home. Pollutants are also less everywhere because of less traffic.

steveko89

Allergen sensitivity changes due to a myriad of factors that don't directly have to deal with weight.

https://www.popsci.com/why-allergies-change-age/

Lietchi

MelanieCN77 wrote: »

I would say you're less exposed to allergens stuck at home. Pollutants are also less everywhere because of less traffic.

Sure, less pollutants, but way more allergens, I'm surrounded by trees and countryside here, as opposed to my workplace. And with the glorious weather, windows are open and lots of pollen inside the house too I'm guessing.

Unicorn_Bacon

If allergens were influenced based on weight, skinny people would probably only have mild symptoms, where heavier people would have severe.

I think while you may be in the country surrounded by trees, you may think you're outside a lot but it may actually be less.

Lietchi

Look, I know allergies are complex, I'm not saying there might be a potential link between weight and allergies for everyone, but perhaps for some individuals.

But I know my lack of allergic symptoms is not due to being at home. I had plenty of allergic symptoms at home the previous two years, and aside from work days, I was as much of a homebody then as I am now.

Unicorn_Bacon

Well.. the best experiment is to wait til you return to a normal routine and see if the changes are consistent

Duck_Puddle

I had virtually no seasonal allergy issues when I was morbidly obese.

I started running/working out and lost a lot of weight and now have horrible seasonal allergies.

I am assuming this is because of lifestyle changes and perhaps some other environmental factors and nothing to do with weight at all.

ccrdragon

Personal experience (so take it for it's worth):

My father has seasonal allergies and is skinny (to the point his Dr encourages him to eat more and gain weight)
I have seasonal allergies and I am currently obese (but working on that)
My daughter has seasonal allergies and is overweight

All 3 of us have had real allergy issues this spring.

The only thing that I would point a finger at is that we are having a very wet spring this year (we are already several inches over for the year in terms of rainfall) and the entire area has gone bonkers with plant growth.

corinasue1143

I was right with you all the way to the end. I find allergies cause weight gain. I don’t want fruit and vegetables when I’m coughing and sneezing, I want cake and ice cream. I don’t want to exercise, I want to lie on the sofa and watch tv. Tree pollen is the big one for me, so I hibernate when everyone else is out cleaning up their yards in the spring, and again when they are putting away lawn furniture, etc. in the fall. When I commuted to work, allergies were worse. To and from the car, plus the time in the car with outside air going thru the air conditioner and heater.

What helped my allergies more than anything else was divorce. My ex was a farmer. Lots of pollen.

Good luck figuring it out and dealing with it.

MelanieCN77

Lietchi wrote: »

MelanieCN77 wrote: »

I would say you're less exposed to allergens stuck at home. Pollutants are also less everywhere because of less traffic.

Sure, less pollutants, but way more allergens, I'm surrounded by trees and countryside here, as opposed to my workplace. And with the glorious weather, windows are open and lots of pollen inside the house too I'm guessing.

Have you ever been tested for exactly what kicks you off? It's not always just all pollen. It is often certain types or even specific plants, which may be affected in their own cycles by weather and man. Also your allergies could be low level that are then kicked into overdrive by pollution. If you're determined it's weight related, you'll find what you're looking for eventually.

My n=1 survey has my allergies the exact same at 185 and 135lbs.

Lietchi

MelanieCN77 wrote: »

Lietchi wrote: »

MelanieCN77 wrote: »

I would say you're less exposed to allergens stuck at home. Pollutants are also less everywhere because of less traffic.

Sure, less pollutants, but way more allergens, I'm surrounded by trees and countryside here, as opposed to my workplace. And with the glorious weather, windows are open and lots of pollen inside the house too I'm guessing.

Have you ever been tested for exactly what kicks you off? It's not always just all pollen. It is often certain types or even specific plants, which may be affected in their own cycles by weather and man. Also your allergies could be low level that are then kicked into overdrive by pollution. If you're determined it's weight related, you'll find what you're looking for eventually.

My n=1 survey has my allergies the exact same at 185 and 135lbs.

Tree pollen en weed pollen. The test wasn't more specific than that, no info on specific trees or weeds. Spring here has been very warm, sunny and dry, that could be a factor.

NovusDies

I have allergies and when I was at my heaviest I also had acid reflux. I believe that having both amplified the impact that, at the time, I assumed was just allergies. Now that my AR is under control through weight loss and diet correction my reaction is lessened.

AnnPT77

I didn't notice any particular difference in my seasonal allergies at BMI 20ish (120lb) vs. BMI 30ish (180s). But they've been very mild since a little more severe phase in adolescence, not even bad enough to test to see what the allergens are.

This is totally not science (I'm not a scientist!), so I'm just shooting the breeze, here: I know some allergy symptoms are essentially an inflammatory response, and I've read that higher systemic inflammation is an effect of obesity, so I wonder if some allergy symptoms in some people might be amplified when they're obese/overweight, if those forms of inflammation reinforce each other? 🤷‍♀️

cwolfman13

I've had seasonal allergies for as long as I can remember...both spring and fall. Seasonal allergies aren't weight related. This spring my allergies are particularly bad where my antihistamines are providing only minor relief...other years I don't even have to take them because my allergies are so mild. It just depends on the year, what is throwing a bunch of pollen out there and what my reaction to that particular pollen is. Mulberry in particular is a big one for me and mulberry is going crazy this spring with the relatively wet winter we've had, same for juniper.

MelanieCN77

Wild mustard for me, that *kitten*, It is everywhere here.

spiriteagle99

My allergies have gotten worse as I've gotten older, but I'm also spending more time outside. Losing 50 lbs made no difference. Running more made them worse, or at least, made them more noticeable.

Lillymoo01

I'd say it is more likely to be coincidental more than anything else. My daughter has had significant allergies most of her life and has always been skinny and some times she is so much better than others. There are just so many things that affect allergies from year to year and season to season.

corinasue1143

AnnPT77 wrote: »

I didn't notice any particular difference in my seasonal allergies at BMI 20ish (120lb) vs. BMI 30ish (180s). But they've been very mild since a little more severe phase in adolescence, not even bad enough to test to see what the allergens are.

This is totally not science (I'm not a scientist!), so I'm just shooting the breeze, here: I know some allergy symptoms are essentially an inflammatory response, and I've read that higher systemic inflammation is an effect of obesity, so I wonder if some allergy symptoms in some people might be amplified when they're obese/overweight, if those forms of inflammation reinforce each other? 🤷‍♀️

You shook my brain a little and shook something loose. Sugar is highly inflammatory. On a diet, and even just at a lower weight, people usually don’t eat as much sugar. Vegetables are mostly slightly anti-inflammatory. While trying to lose weight, many people eat more vegetables.
Also, whole fat milk or cream may exacerbate the symptoms of allergies. They are somewhat high in calories, so people on a diet may cut back on them.
Etc.

paperpudding

My personal experience is that my seasonal allergies aka hay fever did not change at any weight level.

Avidkeo

I lost weight and gained asthma and seasonal allergies.

Sometimes life just sux

Avidkeo

corinasue1143 wrote: »

AnnPT77 wrote: »

I didn't notice any particular difference in my seasonal allergies at BMI 20ish (120lb) vs. BMI 30ish (180s). But they've been very mild since a little more severe phase in adolescence, not even bad enough to test to see what the allergens are.

This is totally not science (I'm not a scientist!), so I'm just shooting the breeze, here: I know some allergy symptoms are essentially an inflammatory response, and I've read that higher systemic inflammation is an effect of obesity, so I wonder if some allergy symptoms in some people might be amplified when they're obese/overweight, if those forms of inflammation reinforce each other? 🤷‍♀️

You shook my brain a little and shook something loose. Sugar is highly inflammatory. On a diet, and even just at a lower weight, people usually don’t eat as much sugar. Vegetables are mostly slightly anti-inflammatory. While trying to lose weight, many people eat more vegetables.
Also, whole fat milk or cream may exacerbate the symptoms of allergies. They are somewhat high in calories, so people on a diet may cut back on them.
Etc.

Sigh. Not true.

I eat exactly the same now that I always have, though granted less of it now.

I didn't get allergies until I lost the weight. Never had it before.

Coincidence