Allergies cause depression

According to a new study, conducted in the U.S., allergies can cause not only a cough, runny nose and itch but also a strong mood decrease and even depressive symptoms.

Strictly speaking, allergy does not cause depression but may worsen it in people prone to depression, or simply provoke a strong worsening of mood and quality of life.

The study involved 100 people with a tendency to depression, half of them also suffered from allergies to the pollen of various plants. Patients who were allergic, in periods of exacerbation (in the spring and summer when there are many allergens - pollen of flowering trees) were at much higher risk of manifestation of severe depressive symptoms than patients without allergies.

This is probably the first study devoted to the relationship of allergy and depression. The results may form the basis for the development of new, more effective treatments of these two common problems.