Seasonal Allergies, also known as Allergic Rhinitis or Hay Fever, typically appear during certain times of the year when pollen released by trees, grasses and weeds is inhaled into your immune system triggering symptoms like runny nose and itchy eyes.
Allergy medications can provide relief. Learn about antihistamines, decongestants and nasal sprays available as remedies.
Spring
Springtime brings warmth, sunshine, trees and flowers blooming, and seasonal allergies can make life miserable. Allergies are caused by pollen – a powder produced by plants to reproduce; your immune system misidentifies it as harmful invader and responds by producing antibodies, leading to symptoms like itchy watery eyes, sneezing, congestion and runny noses.
Allergies can affect anyone, but most commonly children. In the US, allergic reactions to tree, grass and ragweed pollen typically appear between mid-spring and summer depending on where you reside in the country.
As part of diagnosing seasonal allergies, the first step should be seeing an allergist. Allergists offer tests to identify environmental allergens and prescribe medications to relieve symptoms. A skin test involves injecting small amounts of diluted allergens onto your arm or back; if an allergen triggers an allergic response, red bumps will form. They may also use blood samples or inhalers to measure your reactions to allergens; antihistamines, nasal sprays or decongestants may help relieve symptoms, or simply avoid exposure by washing hands frequently and rinsing sinuses with saline solution to remove pollen build-ups clinging onto sinuses to remove pollen build-ups.
Summer
Pollen, mold spores and animal dander allergies tend to increase during summer in many parts of the United States. At their highest levels, grass and weed pollens become especially prominent – while tree and ragweed pollen (a common allergy trigger in late summer and fall) bloom more vigorously as temperatures warm. High temperatures also allow plants to produce more pollen thus increasing allergen counts in the air.
Pollen can trigger runny noses, sneezing fits, itchy eyes and ears, stuffy or runny noses, sinus congestion, itching of mouth or throat and fatigue – symptoms which often arise for those suffering seasonal allergies. People suffering seasonal allergies may also experience dark circles under their eyes, hoarseness in throat or headaches as part of their symptoms.
Over-the-counter medications, environmental modifications and immunotherapy can all help manage seasonal allergies effectively. Immunotherapy reduces your body’s response to allergens over time, thus lessening symptoms such as hay fever. If over-the-counter remedies or lifestyle modifications fail to bring relief for your allergy symptoms, an allergist can recommend more aggressive solutions aimed at providing long-term relief from your allergy symptoms – these specialists specialize in managing allergies including chronic sinusitis and asthma to provide long-term solutions.
Fall
Over 50 million Americans suffer from seasonal allergies each year, which cause itchy eyes, itchy nose and throat itching, runny nose, fatigue and disrupted sleep that makes functioning at work or school difficult. There are ways to effectively manage seasonal allergies that can improve productivity and quality of life.
Ragweed pollen, with peak levels from mid-August to early November, is one of the primary triggers of fall allergy symptoms. Other allergens can include burning bush pollen, cocklebur pollen, pigweed pollen and tumbleweed as well as mold spores found in bales of hay or damp areas such as fallen leaves or woodpiles; they can even be dispersed through dry breezes.
Allergy medications come in both pill and nasal spray forms to ease allergy symptoms, however if these do not seem to have any impact, speaking to your family doctor about being referred to an allergist may offer more comprehensive testing and treatment solutions.
Allergies can significantly limit your quality of life and prevent you from fully experiencing autumn’s splendor, but with preventive measures, allergy medication, and pollen forecasting available to us now, starting the season can begin without breaking out a box of tissues! Take a look at this Mayo Clinic Minute for more information.
Winter
Winter allergies can produce symptoms that include sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes and throat irritation, coughing and wheezing, fatigue, skin allergies such as hives or allergic dermatitis as well as fatigue. Many of these reactions are triggered by airborne allergens such as pet dander, cleaning products or certain fabrics in the environment.
Allergies result from an immune system’s overreaction to otherwise harmless substances. As part of its natural defense mechanisms, your body produces histamines to combat this threat, leading to seasonal symptoms of seasonal allergies.
The severity of symptoms depends on both an allergy and individual reaction; they often manifest at certain times of year when specific allergens become more prevalent; tree pollen is one major trigger, followed by grass/weed pollens in summer; then comes fall with its abundance of ragweed pollens.
Mold spores are one of the primary culprits behind winter allergies, as they feed off decomposing plant material to release their spores into the air. People allergic to mold spores may notice nasal congestion, sneezing and itchy eyes/throat worsening when working outdoors in mulch or dirt, particularly after working outside with mulch/dirt. Rinsing with sterile saline solution may provide temporary relief while for more accurate diagnoses we suggest specific IgE blood testing to pinpoint which allergens are triggering symptoms while creating an accurate management plan based on allergy management plans and management plans.
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