​​If you have food allergies, you’re probably familiar with symptoms like itchiness, swelling, or even hives. But can food allergies cause vertigo or feelings of dizziness? The short answer is yes, they can.

But what’s behind that disorienting feeling? Understanding how and why this happens can help you manage your symptoms and know when to seek medical attention.

What Is Vertigo?

Vertigo is the feeling that you’re spinning or moving when you actually aren’t. It can make you feel off balance, dizzy, or lightheaded, and might even make you feel like you’re going to fall. While vertigo is often linked to problems with the inner ear, it can also be triggered by other factors, including food allergies.

Can Food Allergies Cause Vertigo?

Yes, food allergies can cause vertigo or feelings of dizziness. It’s rare, but it can happen, and it can be surprising when the link between the two is discovered.

“I’ve had vertigo for years and no one thought it had to do with food!” one MyFoodAllergyTeam member shared.

When you’re allergic to a certain food, your immune system identifies that food as a threat. It then releases chemicals like histamine to fight off the “invader,” leading to an allergic reaction. During an allergic reaction, several things happen in your body that can potentially cause dizziness or vertigo:

• You experience a drop in blood pressure — Sometimes, an allergic reaction can cause your blood pressure to drop quickly. When this happens, your brain might not get enough blood, leading to dizziness, nausea, or vomiting.
• Your inner ear is affected — Allergic reactions can also affect your inner ear, which is responsible for your sense of balance. Inflammation or swelling in the inner ear can disrupt your balance, causing vertigo.
• Your eustachian tubes become dysfunctional — The eustachian tubes (very small tubes that link your ears and sinuses) help balance air pressure in your ears. During an allergic reaction, these tubes can become blocked or swollen, causing a feeling of fullness in the ears, dizziness, and even vertigo.

Is Vertigo a Sign of a Serious Allergic Reaction?

Dizziness or vertigo coming on quickly after eating food is very concerning and could be caused by a severe reaction, also known as anaphylaxis. Other signs to watch out for in addition to vertigo include:

• Trouble breathing
• Swelling of the face, lips, or throat
• Hives or rash
• Rapid heartbeat or palpitations

If you have a known severe allergy and experience vertigo along with these symptoms, you should use epinephrine if you have it and seek emergency care right away.

What About Seasonal Allergies?

Vertigo can also occur with seasonal allergies. In fact, it’s more likely to happen with seasonal allergies than food allergies. Seasonal allergies to pollen, dust, mold, and dander enter the body through the nose and mouth. They then can cause inflammation and fluid buildup in your sinuses and middle ear, leading to headaches, dizziness, or vertigo.

One MyFoodAllergyTeam member shared, “Sinus allergies make my ears feel plugged up and filled with fluid, which also adds to the vertigo!”

If you’ve noticed that you feel dizzy during allergy season, it could be due to allergens like pollen, dust mites, or pet dander affecting your vestibular system (the system in your inner ear that helps control balance).

What Should You Do if You Experience Vertigo or Dizziness?

If you experience vertigo or dizziness, especially if you suspect it’s related to food allergies or other allergic reactions, here are some steps you should take:

Stop and Rest

If you’re feeling dizzy or experiencing vertigo, it’s important to sit or lie down to avoid falling or injuring yourself. Resting can help the feeling pass and keep you safe.

Stay Hydrated

Sometimes, dizziness can be caused by dehydration. Drinking water can help alleviate lightheadedness if you’re dehydrated.

Avoid Triggers

If you know or suspect which food or allergen is causing your reaction, avoid it. Check food and ingredient labels if you need to. If you’re not sure, keeping a food diary can help you and your health care provider identify potential triggers.

Take Allergy Medications

Antihistamines, like loratadine or cetirizine, can help reduce mild allergy symptoms by blocking the effects of histamine. Decongestants and nasal sprays might also help if your symptoms are related to sinus pressure or eustachian tube dysfunction.

Seek Medical Attention

If your dizziness is severe, won’t go away, or is accompanied by symptoms like trouble breathing, chest pain, or swelling, seek medical attention immediately. It’s also a good idea to see your health care provider if you’re experiencing frequent episodes of vertigo or dizziness. They can help determine if your symptoms are related to food allergies, seasonal allergies, or another condition like Meniere’s disease.

How To Prevent Allergy-Induced Vertigo

To prevent allergy-induced vertigo, it’s important to manage your allergies effectively. Here are some tips to help:

Identify Your Allergens

Allergy testing can help determine what you’re allergic to. Knowing your food allergens can help you avoid them and reduce your risk of having a reaction.

There are several types of allergy tests that can help determine what triggers your allergic reactions. Some common options for allergy testing include:

• Skin prick test
• Blood test
• Oral food challenge

These tests can be performed by allergists, health care professionals who specialize in diagnosing and treating allergies. Allergists are trained to interpret test results accurately and provide guidance on managing your allergies.

Follow an Allergy Management Plan

Work with your allergist to create a plan for managing your allergies, especially if you suspect they’re causing vertigo symptoms. This might include the strategies listed below.

Read Food Labels Carefully

Always check ingredient lists on packaged foods for any allergens. Look for allergen warnings and be aware of hidden ingredients that might trigger a reaction.

Communicate Your Allergies

Inform restaurant staff about your food allergies whenever you dine out. Ask about ingredients and food preparation methods to avoid cross-contamination.

Carry Emergency Meds

If you have a history of severe allergic reactions, always have emergency epinephrine with you and make sure you know how to use it.

Educate Loved Ones

If you have a food allergy or you care for a child with one, it’s important to educate family and friends about your food allergies so they understand how to help in case of a reaction. This can include showing them how to use epinephrine and what a severe reaction looks like.

Work With a Dietitian

A registered dietitian can help you plan meals and snacks that are safe and nutritious while avoiding allergens. They can also help ensure you’re getting enough nutrients if you have multiple food allergies.

Stay up to Date on Allergy Treatments

Keep in touch with your allergist to stay informed about allergy treatments, such as immunotherapy or an elimination diet, which could help manage your food allergies more effectively.

While vertigo and dizziness aren’t the most common symptoms of food allergies, they can happen, especially if your reaction affects your blood pressure, inner ear, or eustachian tubes. If you experience these symptoms and suspect they’re related to allergies, it’s important to manage your allergies, avoid triggers, and seek medical attention if necessary.

Always talk to your health care provider if you have questions or concerns about your allergy symptoms and how to manage them effectively.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyFoodAllergyTeam is the social network for people with food allergies and their loved ones. On MyFoodAllergyTeam, more than 41,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with food allergies.

Do you have a food allergy or experience vertigo? Is your vertigo triggered or worsened by your food allergy? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.