Allergies at Night: Causes and Prevention

Why do my allergies get worse at night?

It’s not uncommon to feel your allergies get worse at night. Airborne allergens, which trigger night time symptoms, can settle and concentrate in your bedroom during the day and are then released into the air as you get ready for bed at night². These allergens can also be brought into the bedroom through open doors and windows or get carried in on your clothes.

To determine what might be causing your night time allergy symptoms—like an itchy throat, sneezing, runny nose, or itchy nose—think about where you might be encountering common allergens throughout your nightly routine.

Allergies at Night: Causes

Allergy symptoms often present themselves shortly after an allergen encounter. There are a few common triggers of night time allergy symptoms:

Dust Mites

Dust mites, which are often found in house dust, are microscopic creatures that thrive in warm, humid environments. These mites are the most common cause of indoor allergies³. Bedding, carpets, upholstered furniture and other common bedroom fixtures make the perfect hiding place for them.

House Dust

House dust usually contains tiny particles of indoor and outdoor allergens, including pollen, cleaning detergents, material fibers and dead skin cells that attract dust mites⁴.

Pet Dander

Pet dander is made up of tiny flakes of skin that are shed by animals⁵. Even if you don't allow your pets in the bedroom, dander can still come in on your clothes or through the air.

Pollen

Pollen is a fine powder of particles released by plants, which can enter your bedroom through open windows or stick to your skin, hair and clothes.

Mold spores

Mold spores are tiny particles that are produced by mold, but float in the air like pollen. Mold can grow in damp areas of your home, such as bathrooms and kitchens, and its spores are a common cause of indoor allergies, particularly during the winter.

Allergies at Night: Symptoms

Night time allergies can not only be frustrating at the end of the day, they can also disrupt your sleep and overall health⁶.

Common night time allergy symptoms include:

Itchy Throat

Sneezing

Runny nose

Itchy nose

Watery eyes

Congestion

Managing and Preventing Night Time Allergies

If your allergies get worse at night, there are things you can do to reduce your exposure to allergens and manage your symptoms.

Focus Your Cleaning

Dust and vacuum regularly, but try not to clean just before bed, as it can release unwanted allergens into the air. Wash your bedding in hot water once a week to kill dust mites. 

Purify the Air

Keep your windows closed at night, particularly during pollen seasons, to minimize the outdoor allergens entering your room. Use central air if you have it, as well as an air purifier with a HEPA filter, to remove allergens from the air.

Adjustments to Nightly Routine

Change your clothes when you come inside to avoid spreading pollen in the house. You can also try showering at night, before getting into bed, to remove pollen and other allergens from your skin and hair.

New Pet Policy

Keeping pets out of your bedroom is the best way to avoid pet dander triggering your symptoms at night. However, if you share a bedroom with your pets, wipe them off when they come inside and try to keep them off the bed.

Consider Your Textiles

Use allergen-proof covers for your mattress, box spring, and pillows to prevent dust mites from accumulating. Removing rugs or carpets can also further reduce hiding places for dust, dust mites and pollen.

Address Your Symptoms

Symptoms like sneezing, itchy nose or nasal congestion can make it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep, which can impact your overall wellness. Antihistamines like ZYRTEC® start working hard at hour one and keep symptoms at bay through the night.

Talk to a Healthcare Provider

If your allergy symptoms persist, talk to your doctor. They can recommend a personalized treatment plan.

Should I Take ZYRTEC® at Night?

ZYRTEC® can be taken at any time of day. If your allergies are particularly bothersome at night, taking ZYRTEC® at night or before bed can help you get a good night's sleep and wake up feeling refreshed.

Allergies at Night: FAQ

Is it possible to have allergies at night only?

If you are exposed to allergens in your bedroom that you are not exposed to during the day, it is possible to have allergies only at night. This could include close contact with indoor allergens like dust mites or pet dander, as well as outdoor allergens like pollen that gets brought inside.

Why are my allergies so bad in the morning?

Allergies can get worse in the morning for a few reasons. First, people are often exposed to more allergens in the morning when they open their windows or go outside. Morning allergies can also vary depending on air quality levels and the pollination seasons of nearby plant species. For example, trees tend to release the most pollen in the morning, between 5am and 10am⁷.

What time of day is pollen the worst?

On an average day, pollen counts usually rise in the morning and reach their peak by midday or early afternoon. This is the time of day when allergies are often the worst, since there is a high concentration of pollen in the air. Hot, dry and windy conditions can also increase pollen counts, so you may find the pattern of your symptoms changes on days like this¹.

Can allergies cause insomnia?

Allergies can make it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep due to uncomfortable symptoms⁸. Nasal congestion, sneezing, and a runny nose may all disrupt sleep, by causing irritability and discomfort when breathing.