Increased allergic reactions may be tied to the corticotropin-releasing stress hormone (CRH) (Allergy Attacks), suggests a new study. The hormone is the main element that drives the body’s response to stress. It is also present in diseases that cause inflammation. The study, published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, suggests that the findings may help clarify the mechanism by which CRH induces proliferation of mast cells (MC) — agents involved in the development of allergies in the human nasal cavity.

“In my daily practice, I meet many patients with allergies who say their symptoms worsened due to psychological stress,” said lead researcher Mika Yamanaka-Takaichi from the Osaka City University in Japan.

A stressful situation whether something environmental, such as a looming work deadline, or psychological, such as persistent worry about losing a job  can trigger a cascade of stress hormones that produce well-orchestrated physiological changes. A stressful incident can make the heart pound and breathing quicken. Muscles tense and beads of sweat appear.

Feeling stressed for any reason can also affect allergies (Allergy Attacks). One effect is psychological. Stress amplifies our emotional reaction to any symptoms we are having. Dr. Sedaghat says stress can intensify how bothered you are by your allergy symptoms. “When people are under stress, they can feel as if nothing is going well, including their health,” explains Dr. Sedaghat.

Anxiety disorder increased allergies might come and go rarely, occur frequently, or persist indefinitely. For example, you might have episodes of allergy problems and flare-ups once and a while and not that often, have them off and on, or have an increase in allergies, allergic reactions, or allergy sensitivities all the time.

Anxiety and increased allergies can be experienced as:

• An increase in allergy sensitivity, frequency, severity, and duration in conjunction with an increase in anxiety.
• You notice your allergy symptoms are much more severe and persistent when your stress and anxiety are elevated.
• You notice there is a link between your anxiety and allergies, allergy symptoms, sensitivities, and allergic reactions.
• You might also notice your allergic reactions take much longer to subside when your anxiety increases.
• You might have also noticed that as your anxiety increased, you developed new allergies and to things you weren’t previously allergic to.