Allergies develop when your immune system mistakenly identifies something harmless (such as pollen) as potentially hazardous and releases chemicals to combat it, leading to symptoms like runny nose, itchy watery eyes, and sneezing.
If your child suffers from seasonal allergies, speak to their physician about reducing exposure to allergens that trigger them and possible antihistamines or steroid sprays to relieve symptoms.
Spring
Springtime can be an exquisite season: temperatures heat up, flowers blossom and trees burst with life. However, for millions of Americans across the nation these lovely blooms and trees may cause symptoms like itchy watery eyes, runny nose or coughing that impede enjoyment of spring’s beauty.
These allergies are caused by airborne allergens such as pollen that has been released by plants, trees and grasses into the environment. Your immune system recognizes these particles as dangerous threats and sends antibodies against them; in response to which inflammation chemicals are released into the system which trigger symptoms of allergy.
As someone suffering from seasonal allergies, you may experience nasal symptoms known as allergic rhinitis (hay fever). Furthermore, skin can also be affected – in fact researchers have discovered that environmental allergens that trigger respiratory symptoms, like hay fever and dermatitis, may also increase your risk of eczema flare-ups.
Trees release their first pollen of the year in early spring. Over summer and fall grasses and weeds pollinate before ragweed gives off its notoriously irritating pollen in October. Allergy season can range anywhere from early spring through the end of fall depending on where you are living; warmer temperatures linked with climate change are prolonging pollen seasons further and worsening allergy symptoms further; to manage this effectively it is wise to take preventative medications several weeks in advance of experiencing symptoms.
Summer
One in four American adults and one in five kids suffer from seasonal allergies, and for many this means summertime as their symptoms flare. This occurs for many reasons – warming temperatures attributed to climate change lengthen pollen seasons for plants like ragweed (a major allergy trigger), while increased carbon dioxide levels make pollen even more potency than usual leading to stronger allergic reactions.
Humidity plays an integral part in aggravating allergies during summer. It provides an ideal environment for mold spores to flourish both indoors and outdoors, leading to more frequent and severe allergy symptoms. Furthermore, humidity promotes dust mite growth – another known allergen – leading to further exposure of these microscopic irritants.
Sneezing, watery eyes and a runny or stuffy nose are the main symptoms of seasonal allergies. Some individuals also report experiencing hives or wheezing when their immune systems overreact to specific allergens.
Your doctor may suggest over-the-counter or prescription antihistamines and decongestants to manage allergy symptoms. Environmental modifications, like keeping windows closed during peak pollen times and wearing a NIOSH-rated 95 filter mask when doing outdoor chores like mowing the lawn may also provide relief; but if these measures don’t, immunotherapy could be suggested in order to gradually lower immune reactions to allergens over time.
Fall
As summer winds down and fall arrives, many people experience seasonal allergies. Allergies can be frustrating but there are ways to manage symptoms effectively. Your immune system responds to certain forms of pollen, mold spores or even pet dander causing itchy eyes or runny noses as part of its natural defense mechanism, leading to unpleasant symptoms such as runny noses, runny noses or mucus production in response.
Fall allergy triggers include ragweed, which begins producing pollen as soon as temperatures dip below 70F in late August and can continue until the first frost. Other common allergens in fall include grass, weeds, sheep sorrel and oak trees; mold spores may also increase during this season along with dust mites and cockroaches that may track in from outside due to cooler weather.
If seasonal allergies are affecting you, consulting with your physician is key to alleviating symptoms. They may prescribe antihistamines, decongestants and nasal sprays as treatments to reduce histamine production in your body and therefore symptoms; or allergy shots could offer long-term solutions by administering multiple injections after conducting a skin test with possible allergens pricking your skin to determine specific reactions that could require shots for.
Winter
Allergies occur when our immune systems overreact to harmless environmental irritants known as allergens, releasing chemicals called histamines that lead to symptoms like runny nose, itchy eyes, and nasal congestion. At our office we administer tests such as skin tests and blood work (IgE antibodies). After we determine what causes your allergies we recommend medications to relieve symptoms while helping you develop a plan to eliminate environmental allergens that trigger flare-ups.
Winter allergies often resemble symptoms associated with colds; however, their source is more often indoor allergens such as dust mites, pet dander, mold spores and pollen. Indoor allergen levels peak during winter as people spend more time inside.
Allergies typically flare in spring due to tree pollen such as alder, birch, cedar and oak tree pollen, while grass and weed pollens tend to cause symptoms in summertime. Unfortunately, many people suffer from year-round allergic rhinitis (commonly known as “hay fever”) year-round which affects both outdoor and indoor allergens; it isn’t unusual for someone with hay fever also suffering from asthma – outdoor allergens may trigger asthmatic attacks through allergic reactions triggered by outdoor allergens! If this describes you then check pollen forecasts before engaging in outdoor activities when pollen counts are high!
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