Seasonal allergies, commonly known as “hay fever”, occur when our immune systems mistakenly identify normally harmless substances as harmful and produce antibodies in excess to produce allergy symptoms such as watery, itchy eyes; sneezing; runny nose; congestion; and fatigue.
Avoiding allergens and taking medications to manage symptoms may help. Check local pollen counts prior to going outdoors, and plan outdoor activities during late afternoon when levels tend to be lowest.
Spring
Seasonal allergies can significantly impede daily activities. If this sounds familiar to you, know that over 50 million Americans experience seasonal allergies each year!
Allergies occur when your immune system detects harmful environmental substances such as pollen or dander and makes antibodies against it, which then keep an eye out for allergens and release chemicals that produce allergy symptoms when exposed again.
People often experience allergic reactions to different pollen types at different times of year, depending on where they reside and which plants are blooming at that particular time. Trees tend to produce the highest pollen output early in spring followed by grass and then ragweed.
Allergens can cause various respiratory conditions, from runny nose and nasal congestion to itchy, watery eyes; skin conditions like eczema or other dermatological issues; as well as worsen asthma symptoms causing shortness of breath and wheezing. Most symptoms can be relieved using over-the-counter or prescription antihistamines, decongestants, steroid nose sprays or oral medications – allergy tests conducted by allergists can confirm diagnosis; in some cases subcutaneous injection of allergens may provide long-term relief.
Summer
Seasonal allergies, commonly referred to as hay fever or allergic rhinitis, are caused by pollen released by trees and grasses during spring and summer, dispersed through wind currents from trees and grasses and disseminated via trees and grasses, that has an adverse reaction on people with itchy watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing fits, itchy throat or nose and skin itches, asthma attacks or skin conditions such as dermatitis. Allergies also trigger asthmatic attacks in individuals susceptible to them.
Avoiding allergens is the ideal treatment for allergy symptoms, while an allergist can provide remedies such as antihistamines, decongestants and steroid nasal sprays for those who still experience symptoms. Allergen immunotherapy – commonly referred to as allergy shots – may also help decrease an individual’s immune system response over time and is available as injections at the doctor’s office or sublingual tablets under the tongue.
Humid weather can be a significant source of summer allergies, as its damp conditions foster mold growth and other allergens that thrive there. Humidity can also increase pollen concentration in the air, increasing symptoms.
Allergies affect people of all ages and races. In the US, allergy season typically starts in February with tree pollination followed by grass pollination and then ragweed pollination in fall. Allergy symptoms can be severe enough to interfere with daily activities if left unmanaged; luckily there are prevention and management strategies available that allow allergy sufferers to return to doing what they enjoy without the interference of allergies.
Fall
Seasonal allergies can make seasonal changes challenging; leaves are changing colors, air is cooling off slightly and flowers have faded; yet for people suffering seasonal allergies these changes can bring on itchy eyes and sneezing due to pollen lingering in the air produced by certain plants and trees. When this pollen interacts with our immune systems, our bodies misinterpret it as something harmful and launch into an allergic response against it resulting in itchy eyes or sneezing fits.
Ragweed pollen counts among the biggest allergy triggers, peaking between late August and October – or until the first frost – and creating symptoms similar to spring/summer allergies such as itchy eyes and sneezing. Other triggers may include grass/tree pollen, mold spores, cat/dog dander or house dust mites.
Not to worry! There are ways to manage seasonal allergies more comfortably. First and foremost, visit a healthcare provider who can assess your symptoms before referring you to an allergist for IgE blood or skin testing; these tests can identify what triggers them as well as provide effective strategies to avoid future episodes. Next step would be finding relief using treatment options like nasal sprays, antihistamines or allergy shots (known as desensitization) which will all provide temporary respite from any annoying symptoms.
Winter
These allergens, which often trigger seasonal allergies in spring, summer, and fall (such as tree, grass and weed pollen, or ragweed), can also wreak havoc with your winter allergies. While outdoor allergens like pollen may play a large part, winter allergies tend to be caused more often by indoor allergens like dust mites, pet dander, mold spores, cockroach droppings or wood smoke than any seasonal allergies may.
When people come in contact with indoor allergens, their immune systems react by producing histamines and other chemicals to combat it, leading to symptoms like runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes, and nasal congestion. While these symptoms might resemble those caused by colds or sinus infections, allergies are separate medical conditions requiring treatment.
Antihistamines and decongestants may provide temporary relief of these symptoms, while corticosteroid nasal sprays may provide further support. Desensitization therapy – which gradually lowers your response to specific allergens – may provide long-term solutions.
Allergies are an extremely prevalent issue affecting millions of Americans. If you experience chronic nasal congestion, sneezing, watery eyes or itchy skin symptoms then seeking professional assistance should be your top priority. We can identify allergens causing your symptoms and provide effective solutions so you can return to enjoying life more fully – call or book online now to make an appointment now.
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