Allergies can cause dizziness and lightheadedness due to changes in ear balance. If allergies make you dizzy, treating the root cause of allergy can help relieve your symptoms.

This article will explain how allergies can cause dizziness, treatment options and how Quello allergy drop can help relieve allergy-induced dizziness.

How Can Allergies Cause Dizziness

Studies have found that allergies can affect the Eustachian tube ( a tube that connects your middle ear to your throat). The Eustachian tube plays an important role in regulating balance and drawing fluid inside your ears. (1)

Allergies trigger inflammation and congestion, which can make your sinuses swollen and inflamed. (1,2)

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When this happens, fluid drainage out of your sinus is blocked, leading to a buildup of fluid in your eustachian tube. (1) Excess fluid in your ears can affect your balance, causing dizziness and lightheadedness.

Studies have now also found that allergies can contribute to Ménière’s disease, a disorder that affects the inner ear. (3) Ménière’s disease affects hearing and balance, and can cause you to have several episodes of vertigo (a type of dizziness that makes you feel like you are spinning even when you are not moving).

One survey found that more than 50% of people with Ménière’s disease had allergies. (3) Hence, if you experience constant dizziness during allergy seasons or episodes, it's important to seek treatment to manage your allergies.

How to treat dizziness caused by allergies

Not all allergy treatments can help with allergy-related dizziness. (1) Some treatments, such as certain antihistamines, Zyrtec (cetirizine) or Benadryl (diphenhydramine), can make allergies feel worse as they cause dizziness as a side effect.

Some treatments for allergy-induced dizziness may include:

1. Limiting exposure to allergens

Taking preventive measures such as limiting exposure to outdoor allergens like pollens and smokes, and getting rid of indoor allergens such as dust mites, mold, or pet dander can help relieve allergy symptoms. 

Getting rid of your allergy triggers may help reduce your allergy symptoms, including dizziness.

2. Take over-the-counter or prescription allergy medicines.

Some antihistamines, like loratadine, can help relieve allergy symptoms and help control dizziness. Other histamines can also trigger dizziness. Before getting antihistamines over the counter, be sure to ask the pharmacist or healthcare provider if they cause dizziness.

Other potential therapies to manage dizziness due to allergies include:

• Decongestant nasal sprays like  Oxymetazoline are used to relieve nasal congestion and fluid buildup in the sinuses and, hence, the inner ear.

• Nasal corticosteroids such as Fluticasone can reduce sinus pressure and swelling.

3. Take Immunotherapy (Allergy drops or shots)

Allergen immunotherapy (allergy drops or allergy shots) can help reduce an allergy sufferer's reaction to allergens. This can lead to less frequent and severe allergy symptoms, including dizziness, over time.

While allergy immunotherapy is an effective treatment for allergy-induced dizziness, they do not work immediately. (1) You will need to combine it with regular allergy therapy, such as an antihistamine, until the full benefit of immunotherapy kicks in.

How To Tell If Your Dizziness Is From Allergies

Dizziness is a common symptom of various health conditions. You may experience dizziness if you have: (4) 

• Flu

• Low blood sugars

• Take medicines that lower blood pressure.

• Shock

• Heart problems

It is best to see a healthcare provider to rule out other potential causes of dizziness, especially if you have already been diagnosed with these conditions.

If you notice you feel dizzy during certain pollen seasons, such as fall or spring, or after exposure to allergens like pet dander, your dizziness may be due to allergies.

In addition, if you have dizziness from allergies, you will likely also have other common allergy symptoms, such as nasal congestion, sneezing, a runny nose, and itchy eyes or nose.

That said, the first step is to identify your allergy triggers so you can determine whether your dizziness after exposure is due to an allergy. Quello offers a free allergy test to help you identify your allergy triggers.

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When to Seek Help for Allergy-Related Dizziness

Talk to your health care provider if you notice your dizziness does not go away or improve after an allergy treatment.

If you have been on regular allergy medications without improvement, your healthcare provider may recommend allergy immunotherapy, as studies suggest it may be more effective than these medications. (5, 6)

You should  seek immediate medical attention if the following symptoms accompany your dizziness:

• Blurry vision

• Severe migraine
  

• Sudden hearing loss

• Chest pain

• Shortness of breath

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How Quello’s long-term allergy treatment can help relieve dizziness

Quello is changing how people manage allergies. Our personalized allergy drops are designed to target your main allergy triggers.

Over time, this helps your immune system react more appropriately to these allergens, which may reduce symptoms, including dizziness.

While Quello is aimed at long-term relief of allergy symptoms, our providers may also recommend short-term allergy remedies for your allergy-induced dizziness along the way.

Start with a free allergy test and consultation with our allergists to identify potential triggers of allergy-related dizziness.