Yes, allergies can definitely close your nose, or at least make it feel that way. This is due to the inflammatory response triggered by allergens.
How Allergies Affect Nasal Passages
When you're exposed to an allergen (like pollen, pet dander, or dust mites), your body's immune system overreacts. This causes the tissues lining your nasal passages to swell. This swelling reduces the size of the air passages, leading to nasal congestion—that stuffy, blocked feeling. [Allergies can cause nasal tissue to swell. This makes the air passages smaller. The nose may feel stuffed up or itchy. The nose may also make extra mucus. This can plug the nasal passages or drip out of the nose. Mucus can drip down the back of the throat (postnasal drip) as well. Sinus tissue can swell.](Reference information from provided text)
Additionally, allergies often stimulate increased mucus production. This extra mucus further contributes to nasal blockage. It can either completely plug the nasal passages or drip down the back of your throat (postnasal drip). [The nose may feel stuffed up, sometimes making it difficult to breathe. The nose may also make extra mucus, which can plug the nasal passages or drip down the back of the throat (postnasal drip).] (Reference information from provided text)
Common Allergy Symptoms Related to Nasal Congestion
The stuffy nose is a key symptom of allergic rhinitis (hay fever). Other related symptoms include:
- Sneezing
- Itchy nose
- Watery eyes
- Coughing
- Postnasal drip
- Decreased sense of smell
[Sneezing; Watery eyes. Symptoms that may develop later include: Stuffy nose (nasal congestion); Coughing; Clogged ears and decreased sense of smell](Reference information from provided text)
[This leads to allergy symptoms, which may include itching, sneezing, sinus pressure, nasal congestion and discharge.](Reference information from provided text)
Food Allergies and Nasal Congestion
It is important to note that while less common, food allergies can also cause nasal inflammation and congestion. [Food allergies can also cause inflammation in your nose and throat.](Reference information from provided text)
