While not a typical symptom like sneezing or itching, individuals experiencing a significant allergic reaction can sometimes feel chilled. Chills are more commonly associated with infections, which often involve a fever. However, the body’s complex response to allergens can, in certain situations, lead to a subjective sensation of coldness or chills.
Understanding the Connection
Allergies trigger an immune system response where the body perceives a harmless substance as a threat, releasing chemicals like histamine. This release causes an inflammatory response, which can affect the body systemically. While not directly fever-inducing, widespread immune activation and inflammation can make a person feel unwell, leading to a subjective sensation of coldness or chills.
The body’s efforts to manage this intense immune response consume significant energy, contributing to a feeling of being run down or chilled. In severe allergic reactions, such as anaphylaxis, there can be an abrupt drop in blood pressure and body temperature, which might be perceived as chills or an intense sensation of cold. This specific response involves the nervous system sending a false signal that the body is overheating, leading to mechanisms that actively reduce body temperature. This highlights how the body’s internal regulation can be impacted during a strong allergic event.
Distinguishing From Other Causes
True chills, particularly those accompanied by a fever, are hallmark symptoms of bacterial or viral infections like the common cold or flu. Infections typically present with a broader range of symptoms, including body aches, fatigue, sore throat, or cough. While allergies can cause symptoms like nasal congestion, runny nose, and sneezing, they do not typically cause a fever.
If chills are present alongside symptoms such as a high fever, muscle aches, or a productive cough, an infection is a more likely cause than an allergy. Allergic reactions, even when intense, generally manifest with symptoms like itchy eyes, nose, or throat, and skin rashes or hives. Considering the full spectrum of symptoms helps differentiate whether the chills are due to an allergic reaction or a more common illness.
When to Seek Medical Advice
While allergies can indirectly cause a chilled feeling, persistent or severe chills warrant medical attention. It is advisable to seek medical advice if chills are accompanied by a high fever, severe pain, difficulty breathing, or confusion. Other concerning symptoms that require a doctor’s visit include a stiff neck, severe abdominal pain, or wheezing. If chills do not improve after a couple of days of home care, or if they occur in infants younger than six months, a healthcare provider should be consulted. Any instance of severe chills should prompt professional diagnosis to rule out more serious underlying conditions, even if they seem related to an allergic reaction.