Seasonal allergies, also known as allergic rhinitis, cause symptoms including runny noses, itchy eyes and sneezing. They affect millions of people annually and have become increasingly prevalent due to warmer temperatures linked to climate change that have extended pollen seasons.
Symptoms typically only arise at certain times of year–spring, summer or fall–depending on which allergen triggers them. Allergy testing isn’t typically necessary.
Spring
As spring begins to unfold, trees start producing billions of tiny pollen grains which, for millions of people, trigger seasonal allergies (also referred to as hay fever or seasonal allergic rhinitis). Allergies occur when your immune system mistakenly treats harmless substances like pollen as dangerous and attacks it – this causes your body to release chemicals such as histamine as a defense mechanism; histamine produces symptoms such as itchy eyes and runny noses in its defense mechanism.
Seasonal allergies vary in terms of severity depending on what allergens are in the air, with different regions experiencing differing levels. Birch, oak and maple tree pollen tends to peak around May in most places while patients might start feeling symptoms as early as February if there are juniper and cedar pollens present in their environment.
Itchy eyes and runny nose are typical symptoms of seasonal allergies, with over-the-counter and prescription antihistamines both helping reduce histamines in the body, thus relieving symptoms. Decongestants may also provide some relief; in case these medications don’t help enough, doctor can conduct skin or blood tests to identify your specific allergens and create an appropriate treatment plan; immunotherapy consists of injecting allergens over an extended period to desensitize immunity and lessen allergic reactions.
Summer
As summer heats up, seasonal allergies (commonly referred to as allergic rhinitis or hay fever) can quickly spoil your fun. Seasonal allergies occur due to an overreaction by our immune systems to airborne allergens that resemble pollen from trees, grasses, flowers and certain plants that trigger airborne allergens that resemble pollen and cause symptoms that include itchy eyes, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing and itchy or watery eyes.
Allergen levels peak during spring and summer as trees emerge from winter dormancy and flowering plants such as ragweed go to seed. Warmer temperatures associated with climate change have extended pollen seasons even further and made them more potent, which worsen allergy symptoms and could exacerbate them even further.
Though seasonal allergens can be difficult to avoid, there are many effective treatments available. Your doctor can prescribe intranasal corticosteroids to suppress your immune response and alleviate your symptoms; antihistamines and decongestants may also provide temporary relief from allergy symptoms. For long-term relief allergy shots may provide effective therapy; administered in doctor’s offices over time they desensitize your immune system against certain allergens, providing long-term allergy relief.
Fall
Allergies may seem like a minor nuisance for some, but for others they can be life-altering. Springtime allergies often bring runny noses, blocked sinuses and itchy eyes – symptoms which persist through fall and even winter if left untreated – while many of the same seasonal allergy symptoms such as sneezing and throat itching are caused by mold spores, dust mites or pet dander found year-round.
Flower and tree pollen tend to peak during spring and summer, while late summer through early fall are particularly problematic for allergy sufferers due to ragweed, grass and weed pollens such as those produced by cocklebur, burning bush, sagebrush, sheep sorrel and tumbleweed – the latter pollen types being particularly problematic due to mold growth caused by damp leaves or bales of hay; wet weather or high temperatures may exacerbate mold growth further.
Climate change is compounding seasonal allergies by lengthening the growing season for plants releasing allergens, increasing carbon dioxide levels, and prompting carbon dioxide reactions that intensify symptoms. A doctor can prescribe antihistamines or steroid nose drops for congestion or itching relief, or allergy immunotherapy – in which an allergen is injected slowly over several months or years to build immunity – in order to help ease symptoms associated with seasonal allergies.
Winter
Though seasonal allergies often seem to diminish when temperatures cool off, seasonal allergies can still persist throughout winter for certain individuals. This is likely due to spending more time indoors where allergens such as mildew, mold spores, pet dander, dust mites and household chemicals are present – these trigger your immune system into producing antibodies which attack mucous membranes of nose throat eyes and skin resulting in symptoms for you!
Symptoms of allergies include itchy eyes, runny nose and nasal congestion. For those experiencing persistent allergy symptoms, an allergist can conduct a comprehensive assessment and provide tailored treatments such as over-the-counter medicines, allergy shots or prescription medication.
Preventative measures are the key to successfully treating seasonal allergies. Unfortunately, however, it can be hard to predict when allergy season will start; for this reason it’s wise to seek professional medical advice regarding diagnosis and treatment options. Consult an allergist if over-the-counter medicines do not relieve symptoms or interfere with daily activities or sleep. An allergist can perform an extensive review of symptoms and perform allergy testing, which may involve skin prick tests or blood testing, to identify specific allergens. Based on these results, they will then devise an appropriate treatment plan designed to alleviate those symptoms and restore normal function; lifestyle modifications may also provide some additional relief from allergies symptoms.
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