Can allergies really cause mental health issues?

It seems unlikely that mental health and allergies could in any way be linked. A runny nose or itchy skin does not seem to run parallel with mental and emotional challenges. 

However, a new study has found that people with asthma, eczema and hay fever have an increased risk of developing a psychiatric disorder. 

The study draws on previous work and strengthens earlier research; it may also help guide doctors as they treat people with these allergies. 

The three A's

Asthma, allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and atopic dermatitis (eczema), are among some of the most common allergies and are nicknamed the three “A”s.

The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Psychiatry, found links between mental health and the three A's. Dr Nian-Sheng Tzeng, from Tri-Service General Hospital in Taiwan and lead author of the study, noticed something unexpected about the patients suffering from these specific allergies.

According to Dr Tzeng, "As a clinician, I observed that some patients with the three A's appeared to suffer emotionally. Therefore, I wanted to clarify whether these allergic diseases are associated with psychiatric disorders."

Despite similar previous research on the link between mental health and allergies, there had been no studies on the link between the three A's and the risk of developing psychiatric disorders.

Unexpected links 

In the current study, 10.8% of the subjects developed psychiatric disorders compared to 6.7% of the control group.