Allergies can cause fatigue even if you have no other symptoms of allergies such as runny nose, etc..  Addressing them can make a significant difference in a short period of time.  Other factors can take much longer to address.

When most people think of allergies, they think of runny nose, sneezing, etc..  They do not know that allergies can fatigue without causing these other symptoms.  No doctor ever told me to go see an allergist.  I only did so after reading that mold allergies can cause fatigue.  I did not have mold allergies, but I did have a severe allergy to dust mites.

Chronic fatigue causes problems in the immune system that can cause allergies.  Allergies in turn can cause more fatigue.

Resolving my sinus allergies made a huge difference in a short period of time.  Most people with chronic fatigue find that the fatigue is accompanied by pressure in the sinuses.  Allergies can make your sinus problems worse which make your fatigue worse.

Dust Mites

An allergy to dust mites is among the most common allergies.  Are your fatigue and sinus problems worse in the morning?   Are they worse in wet weather?  Do you have trouble sleeping?  Does housework or doing the laundry make you dead tired?  Then a dust mite allergy may be part of your problem.  Dust mites thrive in humid climates.  They like to take up residence in bedding just inches from your mouth and nose as you sleep.  When doing housework, you will probably breathe them in.  Some people think they are chemically sensitive to cleaning products when in fact they are allergic to the dust in their houses that is kicked up when they clean and the lint in their driers when they do the laundry.

Some of the advice I have heard about dust mites is both expensive and unnecessary.  It is probably NOT necessary to buy a dehumidifier, air filter, or hepa vacuum.

Dust mites live on dust.  They are usually only a problem if you breathe them in.  Dust mites in your carpet are therefore not a problem unless they are being kicked into the air.  Even dust lying on your tables is not a problem if you don't breathe it or stir it up.

There is one unexpected place you may find dust mites.  They can be found in your bedding even though you can't see them.  Spending eight hours breathing dust mites that are only inches from your nose and mouth can cause sleep problems and can cause quite a bit of fatigue.

Getting Rid of Them

There is one simple thing you can do which may cause an immediate improvement.   If you suspect a dust mite allergy, wash all your bedding including pillows.  If you are allergic to them, you should see an improvement the first night.

If this works, wash all bedding on a regular basis.  You will also want to get hypoallergenic mattress and pillow encasements.  These are especially important.  Dust mites can accumulate in the mattress.  Washing sheets and blankets may shield you from them for a few days, but eventually they will migrate back out.  You can't wash your mattress, but you can seal in the dust mites by using one.

You will also want to use a dust mask when doing housework.  Dust mites can be found in the lint traps of your drier.  I hold my breath while cleaning the lint traps and then walk away before inhaling again.

Dust mites will pass through the bags of a standard vacuum cleaner and right back into the room.  Dust mite proof bags are available from a number of sources for a reasonable price.  These can be used on a standard vacuum.

Expensive Items You Probably Don't Need

It is probably NOT necessary to get expensive hepa filter vacuums. It is probably not necessary to get a hepa room air filter unless the room is so dusty that dust can be seen in the air on a regular basis.  Dehumidifiers will probably not reduce humidity enough to be of much help unless you spend a lot of money.  They probably aren't necessary either.

The best solution for carpets is not to have them.  Hard wood or tile floors do not give dust mites a place to hide.  But if you do have carpets, steam cleaning them may be useful if you have a lot of dust in the air.  When not cleaned for a long period of time, a lot of dust settles into the carpet.  This is then kicked back into the air when you walk on the carpet.  Steam cleaning will help remove the dust.  Be careful.  If not done properly, steam cleaning can leave the carpet humid and musty smelling.  Dust mites and mold love humidity.

There are other airborne allergies which can cause fatigue.  An appointment with an allergist is probably worthwhile to find out if you have other allergies which may be contributing to your fatigue.

These include the standards such as pollen, but don't forget the molds.  KPIX, channel 5 in San Francisco aired an interesting report on airborne molds and dangers they present.

If you think your problems may be related to allergies and the media in your area does not give the pollen and mold count, try the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunoloy site.  The Claritin page has a lot of general information about allergies.

A prescription for a non-drowsy antihistamine such as Allegra, Claritin or Zyrec may help.

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