Allergies are a widespread condition that cause symptoms like itchy skin, runny nose and watery eyes. Most allergies occur during certain seasons due to airborne allergens like pollen, mold spores or pet dander causing irritation.
Immune systems recognize these particles as threats and release protective chemicals such as histamine to protect itself. Unfortunately, this release causes symptoms like itchy skin, runny nose, sneezing and more severe reactions such as severe itching or even severe allergic reactions that lead to symptoms like itchy eyes or nosebleeds.
Spring
Spring brings warmer weather and sunny days back into view, as well as pollen-laden trees, weeds and grasses releasing pollen into the air from trees, weeds and grasses that release their pollen into the atmosphere. For some individuals this can trigger allergies; breathing this pollen may result in symptoms like sneezing, runny nose and watery eyes; this type of allergy known as seasonal allergies or hay fever typically begins in early spring and typically first appears around age 2. Most children start showing symptoms by age 2 when first experiencing symptoms; most kids experience their first symptoms from seasonal allergies or hay fever for the first time.
Warmer temperatures and climate change have created longer pollen seasons, meaning that plants such as ragweed now release pollen for longer, making allergy symptoms worsened.
Allergen immunotherapy (allergy shots) can be an effective solution for seasonal allergies. Over time, it helps lower your immune response to allergens and help decrease allergy symptoms over time. Speak to your healthcare provider about this option; skin or blood tests will reveal which allergens cause you reactions; then they can help identify what they are so that they can prescribe medication to relieve them or prescribe allergy immunotherapy injections of small quantities of allergens that trigger allergy attacks – known as desensitization therapy – helping your body adapt over time to get used to them and gradually – effectively decreasing allergy symptoms over time and decreasing their intensity over time – thus creating long term reduction of allergy symptoms as your immune system adjusts.
Summer
Allergies can make life miserable for those affected, leading to symptoms like itchy eyes and runny nose, fatigue, dark circles under the eyes and difficulty breathing. Allergies affect an estimated 60 million Americans and vary season by season – from tree pollen and grass pollen, mold allergens such as dust mites or pet dander to mold, dust mites or carpet allergens such as mildew and carpet fibers causing itchy reactions in some.
Allergies often flare up during spring, summer and fall due to pollen released into the air from trees and other plants beginning to blossom and expand their leaves and bloom. Tree, grass and weed pollen is most prevalent during this season alongside ragweed pollen – while high ground-level ozone levels create additional allergy symptoms during hot days in summer weather.
Mold spore counts increase during autumn due to decomposition of leaves and other plant material, increasing exposure through gardening, farming or hiking in wooded areas. Additionally, gardening or farming can increase exposure.
Adults often develop allergies that were absent when they were younger. If new symptoms are appearing during specific seasons, discuss specific IgE blood testing with your physician in order to understand your allergen sensitivities and reduce discomfort. Closing windows, wearing a mask when mowing the lawn and turning on an air conditioner are ways you can lower exposure.
Fall
Fall colors are stunningly beautiful; however, seasonal allergies (also known as “hay fever”) can ruin their beauty for some people. Hay fever tends to peak between late summer and early fall but can persist into winter as more pollen, mold spores and seeds of plants like thistle, dandelion, sheep sorrel and grass emerge into the air when temperatures cool off.
Ragweed, one of the primary triggers for fall allergies, typically blooms from late summer into November and releases pollen over that time. This pollen can travel hundreds of miles before landing its target; creating symptoms all across America. Other potential allergens include seeds from burning bush, cocklebur, sagebrush and tumbleweed as well as mold that flourishes in damp places such as bales of hay or piles of wet leaves.
Antihistamines, eye drops, and nasal sprays may provide temporary relief of allergy symptoms. You should stay indoors as much as possible on days with high pollen counts; wear a mask when performing yard work/lawn care activities; use an air purifier to reduce indoor allergens; if this doesn’t help enough for you, speak to your physician about immunotherapy (allergy shots). This treatment exposes gradually increasing amounts of your specific allergen to build tolerance over time.
Winter
Winter allergies often present themselves with symptoms including itchy eyes and throat, sinus congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and fatigue – symptoms often mistaken for common cold symptoms; however, allergy symptoms tend to last much longer.
Allergies occur when your immune system reacts to airborne substances that it considers threats, known as allergens. As soon as these allergens enter your lungs, your body releases chemicals which trigger histamines and other allergy-related chemicals which then release histamines leading to allergic symptoms and further chain reactions that create allergic symptoms.
Different allergy symptoms tend to surface at different times of year depending on which allergens you’re exposed to. In many parts of the United States, spring allergies (commonly referred to as “hay fever”) are caused by tree pollen while grass and weed pollen tends to trigger summer allergies. If you suffer from mold allergies this may worsen in fall; while dust mites and pet dander tend to bring on winter symptoms.
Allergies can be an annoying part of daily life. Seeking medical help when the symptoms become bothersome is key – board-certified allergists can diagnose and manage allergy symptoms to allow you to return to regular activities with greater ease. They will recommend avoidance measures as well as over-the-counter and prescription medication that should ease them as necessary; should these not do the trick, the doctor may prescribe stronger drugs.
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