Long COVID can increase environmental allergies

Long COVID, also known as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC), has been associated with a range of persistent symptoms that can last for months or even years after the initial infection. Recent research has begun to uncover the complex relationship between long COVID and the increased risk of developing allergies. This connection is particularly intriguing as it sheds light on the broader impacts of the virus on the immune system.

One significant finding is that individuals with pre-existing allergic conditions, such as asthma or allergic rhinitis, may be at a higher risk of experiencing long COVID. A meta-study published in Clinical & Experimental Allergy analyzed data from 13 prospective studies involving nearly 10,000 participants. The researchers found that pre-existing asthma was associated with an increased risk of long COVID, with an odds ratio of 1.94. Similarly, allergic rhinitis was significantly linked to a higher risk, with an odds ratio of 1.961. These findings suggest that the immune dysregulation seen in allergic conditions may predispose individuals to prolonged COVID-19 symptoms and that having long Covid may predispose a patient to future allergies.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has also supported studies that explore the immune and hormonal features of long COVID. Researchers have identified several immune system changes in individuals with long COVID, including elevated levels of non-conventional monocytes and activated B lymphocytes and lower levels of type 1 conventional dendritic cells and central memory T cells. These immune alterations could potentially contribute to the development of new allergies or the exacerbation of existing ones. Additionally, the reactivation of latent viruses, such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), has been observed in long COVID patients, which might further complicate the immune response and increase susceptibility to allergic reactions.

In addition, the stress hormone cortisol has been found to be significantly lower in individuals with long COVID. Cortisol plays a crucial role in regulating the immune response, and its deficiency could lead to an overactive immune system, thereby increasing the risk of allergic reactions. Hormonal imbalance, combined with immune dysregulation, may predispose long COVID patients to allergies.

Preventive measures to reduce the risk of developing allergies in long COVID patients are still being researched, but there are several strategies that may help mitigate this risk. Here are some recommendations based on current understanding:

1. Assessing Pre-existing Allergies: Determining whether pre-existing allergic conditions exist is the starting point for long COVID patients, and testing just after a COVID infection to set a baseline can be helpful. Environmental allergens are the ones implicated in long COVID, so far food allergies are not known to be exacerbated by a COVID infection. For a comprehensive environmental allergen test, including an expanded mold panel, try Precision Point Diagnostics Airborne Allergy Test.  Effective management of existing allergies can help reduce the overall burden on the immune system.
2. Healthy Lifestyle Choices: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can support the immune system. This includes a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, regular physical activity, adequate sleep, and stress management techniques such as mindfulness or yoga. These practices can help strengthen the immune system and potentially reduce the risk of developing new allergies. Even though COVID itself doesn’t increase the chance of food allergies, a long COVID patient who is allergic or sensitive to foods can find a supposedly healthy diet triggering inflammation instead, complicating recovery from long COVID symptoms. The Precision Point P88 Dietary Antigen Test can assess food allergies and sensitivities and help guide an effective elimination diet.
3. Monitoring and Early Intervention: Regular monitoring of symptoms and early intervention can be beneficial. If new allergic symptoms arise, seeking prompt medical advice can help in managing these symptoms effectively. Early intervention can prevent the progression of mild allergic reactions into more severe conditions.
4. Vaccination: Staying up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters can reduce the severity of the initial infection and potentially lower the risk of developing long COVID and its associated complications, including allergies. Vaccination helps in reducing the overall viral load and the subsequent immune response that might trigger allergic reactions.
5. Immune System Support: Some studies suggest that certain supplements, such as vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, and probiotics, may support immune function. 
6. Avoiding Environmental Triggers: Minimizing exposure to environmental triggers, such as pollen, molds, pollution, tobacco smoke, and harsh chemicals, can help reduce the risk of developing allergies. Using air purifiers and maintaining good indoor air quality can also be beneficial.

A comprehensive environmental allergy panel can be a valuable tool for individuals with long COVID, as it helps identify specific allergens that may trigger or exacerbate symptoms. 

For those with long COVID, understanding their specific allergy triggers is crucial because the immune system may already be compromised or dysregulated due to the lingering effects of the virus. Identifying these triggers allows for targeted interventions that can help manage and reduce allergic reactions. For instance, if a patient is found to be allergic to dust mites, they can take specific steps to minimize exposure, such as using allergen-proof mattress covers, regularly washing bedding in hot water, and maintaining low humidity levels in their home. These measures can significantly reduce the burden on the immune system and prevent the exacerbation of long COVID symptoms.

A comprehensive allergy panel can also provide insight into potential cross-reactivities, where an individual allergic to one substance may also react to related allergens. This information is particularly useful for creating a personalized management plan. For example, someone allergic to birch pollen might also react to certain fruits like apples or pears due to cross-reactivity. By identifying these connections, you can offer your patients more precise advice on dietary and environmental modifications, further reducing the risk of allergic reactions. Cross-reactivity between environmental and food allergens can be common, which is why testing both environmental and food allergens and sensitivities can be helpful. 

Food allergies can cause systemic inflammation and exacerbate symptoms, so identifying and managing these allergies is another critical aspect of comprehensive care. By avoiding specific foods that trigger allergic reactions, patients can help reduce inflammation and support their immune system’s recovery.

The insights gained from a comprehensive environmental allergy panel enable you to develop a holistic and individualized approach to managing long COVID in your patients experiencing that condition. This approach not only addresses the immediate allergic reactions and sensitivities but also contributes to the long-term stabilization of the immune system. By reducing exposure to identified allergens and implementing targeted interventions, patients can experience a significant improvement in their quality of life and a reduction in the severity and frequency of long COVID symptoms.

The Precision Point Diagnostics Airborne Allergy Test is far more comprehensive than other inhalant allergy tests, reporting immune responses to 85 allergens. It offers a way to detect IgE reactions in sensitive or fragile patients without an uncomfortable skin prick test. Precision Point’s Airborne Allergy Test also features an expanded mold panel, measuring 18 different mold organisms such as Aspergillus fumigatus, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Fusarium roseum, and Penicillium.

Precision Point Diagnostics’ reliable and reproducible results can be used to remove allergens, plan for seasonal allergies, guide immunotherapy, or choose treatments to modulate the immune response. With this information, you can help your patients reduce exposures to allergens in their living and working environments. For example, patients who test positive for one or more mold allergies can remediate their homes or work spaces to remove moisture and mold, which has been shown to improve allergic rhinitis, allergic sinusitis, and bronchial asthma. For patients with chronic sinus, respiratory, or skin symptoms, airborne allergy testing can help you address their immune triggers and imbalances, so they can get back to health and wellness.

Long COVID can be difficult to manage and treat, and not only are those with allergies more likely to develop long COVID, but those with long COVID are more likely to develop allergies. Managing allergies for the typical patient is important, and even more so for those with long COVID, both to support the immune system and eliminate that source of inflammation which can both complicate recovery and add to the misery of the symptoms.