Does Not Drinking Water Make Allergies Worse?

You’re probably aware of the overall health benefits that come from drinking water, but you might not be sure of how water helps you combat seasonal allergies. Drinking water is excellent for thinning out mucus membranes, which helps alleviate the congestion and dry nasal passages that come with allergies. 

When you’re dehydrated, your body produces more histamines–chemicals your immune system releases in response to an allergen. Histamine production is part of a defense system, working to preserve water in the body. When you’re dehydrated, histamine production increases, worsening allergic symptoms. In short, the answer is “yes” to the question of whether or not drinking water makes allergies worse. 

Understanding Dehydration and Allergic Reactions

Dehydration plays an important role in allergic reactions because how hydrated we are is a factor in how much histamine is released. Histamines are chemicals produced by your immune system to help protect your body from what it senses are invaders, such as allergens. Histamines play a key role in regulating your body’s inflammation responses and cause many of the symptoms of allergies. 

Histamine production functions as a defense system and works to preserve water in the body. When you’re dehydrated, histamine production increases, worsening allergic symptoms. 

In effect, water consumption can regulate your histamine levels. This does not mean that drinking water can act to prevent or treat an allergic reaction, but it’s good to be aware that avoiding dehydration through drinking water will help to maintain normal histamine levels. 

How Drinking Water Reduces Allergy Symptoms

Since there is no specific cure for allergies, managing the symptoms is key. While your doctor can recommend the best treatment for you, drinking water can help you diminish the severity of allergic reactions. Dehydration–one of the most overlooked allergy symptoms–occurs when your body loses more fluid than you take. If your nose, throat, or mouth are well hydrated, it’s more difficult for allergens to enter your respiratory system. This is because the extra fluids delivered to your nasal passage encourage sinus drainage.

So be sure you’re drinking enough water to stay hydrated during allergy season. Drinking plenty of water helps thin the mucus found in the nasal passages and drains the sinuses. You’ll feel less stuffed up and will likely feel fewer congestion-related symptoms. Not drinking enough water can lead to dry skin, obstructed nasal passages, and worsening allergies due to fluid loss from the body’s water supply. Water also works wonders in flushing out toxins–including allergens–in the body. Even if you don’t feel thirsty, you should drink ample amounts of water.

Frequently Asked Questions: Does Not Drinking Water Make Allergies Worse?

Does Drinking Water Make Allergies Worse?
No, drinking water does not make allergies worse. Immune systems can become overly sensitive to certain elements but water isn’t one of them, so drinking water should not worsen allergies. 

Does Drinking Water Reduce Allergies?Drinking water does not reduce the risk of allergies but can help manage the symptoms. Allergies are caused by a hypersensitivity to certain substances, such as pollen or pet dander, and the body’s immune system response to them. Consuming water may help alleviate certain allergic responses, but it won’t address the root cause of an allergic response.