Seasonal allergies, often referred to as “hay fever,” tend to surface most commonly during spring, summer and fall. Seasonal allergens affect both the membrane lining the nose (rhinitis) and the clear fluid covering the whites of eyes (conjunctiva) with allergic conjunctivitis symptoms.
Allergies can affect people of any age and are typically caused by pollen. Different kinds of pollen cause symptoms in different seasons.
Spring
Allergies to trees, grasses, weeds and mold spores can trigger symptoms similar to colds; such as runny nose, itchy eyes and sinus congestion. If this happens to you, seek medical advice immediately as long-term symptoms could interfere with daily activities. Your physician may suggest over-the-counter or prescription medicines that could help.
Your immune system misidentifies harmless substances known as allergens for something dangerous. Your body responds by producing chemicals like histamine that cause symptoms. Histamine causes symptoms such as itchy, watery eyes and stuffy or runny nose. Knowing the allergens causing symptoms helps you identify them so you can take appropriate actions against them and avoid future reactions.
The United States sees tree pollen levels start rising in early spring, typically due to Birch, Cedar and Cottonwood trees – major allergy triggers at that time of year. Timothy grass pollen usually peaks later on during late spring/early summer while Ragweed pollen often reaches its highest point later on during autumn months.
Your exposure to seasonal allergens can also be reduced by closing windows at home and in your vehicle, taking showers before bed, showering beforehand to wash away allergens clinging to skin and hair, as well as using saline eyedrops to clear away pollen that has settled on eyelids and surfaces, or using saline eyedrops to flush pollen from eyes.
Summer
Allergies can occur year-round, although symptoms tend to worsen during certain seasons. An allergy occurs when your immune system encounters an allergen such as pollen that your body reacts badly against, prompting an immune response that results in symptoms like itchy eyes, runny nose or throat and sneezing. Although allergies can be caused by many things besides pollen exposure alone, pollen allergies tend to be among the primary culprits.
Tree pollen released into the air during spring can trigger seasonal allergies in many people, starting in February in the US and continuing through spring. Meanwhile, grasses and weeds also release pollen into the atmosphere during summer; depending on where you live, your symptoms could be triggered by such sources as ryegrass or timothy grass or even ragweed.
If you are suffering from allergy symptoms, a simple blood or skin test can help identify what allergens you’re reacting to and reduce them accordingly. We may prescribe over-the-counter or prescription medication as a solution; the sooner we can help manage them the more comfortable life will become for all concerned.
Fall
While most people associate allergy symptoms with spring, they can actually begin in autumn and continue through winter.
Symptoms of allergies may include runny nose, itchy eyes and sneezing. Allergic reactions are more prevalent in children and may run in families; occasionally asthma attacks may also ensue due to these allergies. They’re especially bothersome during sleep disturbances; seasonal allergic rhinitis affects adults as well as children; its exact cause remains unknown but could include genetic and environmental influences as well as overreactive immune systems that respond inappropriately to allergens in the environment.
Fall allergies typically flare up on warm, windy days and after rainfall. Ragweed pollen production peaks between August and November. Other culprits may include trees and grass pollen production. Allergen levels usually spike on warm, windy days when pollen counts increase significantly – to minimize your allergies, try closing windows tightly when pollen counts increase and remaining indoors when pollen counts spike if possible; otherwise wear a mask to filter out larger allergen particles when venturing outdoors.
Oral antihistamines and nasal or eye drops may help alleviate your symptoms, while immunotherapy (allergy shots) from an allergist may further alleviate them. Injections reduce your body’s sensitivity to allergens.
Winter
Seasonal allergies (also known as allergic rhinitis or hay fever) are most often triggered by airborne allergens like tree pollens, grasses, weeds and ragweed. When exposed to such substances, a person’s immune system overreacts by producing chemicals that produce symptoms including sneezing, runny nose and watery eyes; some individuals also report itchy skin or even tingling sensations in their nose and throat area.
Allergies can make people tired. This may be caused by congestion that restricts oxygen from reaching both brain and body; or by their frequent manifestations – such as sneezing and sniffling which interrupt sleep patterns and lead to interrupted restful nights’ rest. Allergies also impact normal activities, including work, child care and household tasks which disrupt normal activities and lead to fatigue as a result of disruptions that interfere with normal routines.
Medication to treat seasonal allergies can provide much-needed relief from symptoms like an itchy, runny nose, itchy or watery eyes and sneezing. Both over-the-counter and prescription antihistamines work by suppressing immune systems thereby decreasing allergy symptoms while decongestants clear nasal passages by eliminating excess mucus production. If desired, doctors can also recommend immunotherapy, which exposes small doses of allergens directly into your system in order to desensitize immune systems thereby further decreasing symptoms; although results take longer in terms of reduced symptoms than treatment alone.
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