I have allergies. My mother has severe allergies and I've always assumed I just inherited them. The thing is, I have really bad symptoms in the morning. As soon as I get out of bed, I'm sneezing and blowing my nose, and the watery eyes start in. I always thought I was allergic to something outside, so why would I be having these symptoms in my bedroom?

You're right; allergies are inherited, and you have a lot of company. At least 20 percent of individuals have nasal allergies. Allergy sufferers often feel worse in the morning. You may be allergic to something in your bedroom, such as dust mites, which live in your bed and pillow and feed off your shed skin. Plastic embedded allergen-proof zip up encasings placed on the pillows and mattress help limit dust mite exposure. Animals, particularly if they sleep in your bedroom, are common causes of allergy symptoms. Mold is another common indoor, as well as outdoor, allergen. Mold-allergic individuals should avoid basement bedrooms, as mold is almost always worse in basements than in other parts of the home. Also, keep in mind that if you like to sleep with the windows open, you're letting outdoor pollens get into the house. You may want to see an allergist to get more specific advice appropriate for your particular allergies. There are excellent medications now for allergy sufferers, and with proper care, you should experience very few symptoms.

Good luck, Dr. White

-- Dr. Martha Vetter White, MD, is cofounder and director of research at the Institute for Asthma &Allergy in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, one of the nation's most active clinical research centers devoted to allergy, asthma, and sinusitis.

First published September 26, 2003
Last updated June 23, 2008
Copyright © 2003 Consumer Health Interactive