Sanofi Consumer Healthcare, makers of new Xyzal Allergy 24HR, revealed the results of a social experiment in which 160 participants (80 allergy sufferers and 80 non-sufferers) wore a wearable device for 30 days to track their sleep and activity. The experiment found allergy symptoms can impact various elements of sufferers’ lives, including both the quality of their sleep and their daytime activities. Xyzal is partnering with allergist Neeta Ogden, MD, to encourage allergy sufferers to “Wise Up” about the importance of managing their allergies this spring, so they can have a better night’s sleep and “Rise Up” in the morning to take on the day.

“Many allergy sufferers have gotten so used to their symptoms that they don’t even realize how significantly they may be impacting their day-to-day lives, including everything from their sleep at night to their productivity during the day. But the results of this social experiment should serve as a wake-up call,” says Ogden in a release. “If your allergy symptoms aren’t under control, it’s time to educate yourself about both your triggers and your treatment options, so you can find relief that doesn’t rest and enjoy the spring season.”

Participants in the experiment also completed a daily survey to track perceptions of their allergy symptoms (for the 80 allergy sufferers), sleep patterns, and activities, as a way to provide additional context for the wearable device data. Specific findings from the social experiment include the following:

  • Allergy sufferers had a harder time falling asleep and staying asleep than people without allergies.
  • Allergy symptoms were the top factor that negatively impacted the sleep of these allergy sufferers—even more so than stress, discomfort, temperature, or work.
  • In fact, the experiment found that an allergy sufferer’s sleep could be disrupted nearly 4 times more than that of a person without allergies.
  • Allergy sufferers were less rested and less physically active during the day than people without allergies.
  • For example, allergy sufferers traveled an average of only 3.16 miles a day while active, whereas people without allergies traveled 3.35 miles. That could translate to 69 fewer miles per year—the distance of approximately two and a half marathons.