Allergies can have a serious impact on children of any age, with climate change aggravating these problems and lengthening allergy season. Allergists note this is only getting worse over time.
Allergies cause symptoms including runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion and watery eyes; as well as itching in the nose and throat. Seasonal allergies are caused by airborne allergens like pollen that only appear during certain times of the year.
Spring
Spring allergies are caused by pollen grains released by grass, weeds and trees to fertilize other plants, inhalation of which by people with allergies can lead to symptoms like sneezing, runny nose and watery eyes.
Symptoms may appear anywhere between March and June, depending on where you reside and which allergens trigger reactions. Birch tree pollen typically increases between March and April; oak pollen in the northeast peaks between late April and early May; while maple pollen tends to peak sometime around mid-May in New Jersey.
Climate change-induced temperature rise is also prolonging pollen exposure times and intensifying allergy symptoms, making allergy attacks last longer and worsen. Meanwhile, rising carbon dioxide levels contribute to worsening ozone pollution reducing our bodies ability to defend against airborne allergens.
Many allergy sufferers can find relief through over-the-counter antihistamines, nasal corticosteroid sprays, and decongestants available at their pharmacy. To best manage allergies over the long term and decrease severity, visiting an otolaryngologist or allergist may help alleviate their symptoms year-round. Contact Oswego Health to find out more about how managing allergy symptoms can have lasting positive results for overall wellness.
Summer
Summer allergies are an often misdiagnosed illness. Their symptoms, which include runny nose, itchy eyes or stuffiness are easily mistaken for colds; however, while cold symptoms typically last just several days at most; allergy symptoms could linger on for weeks or even months before eventually clearing up on their own.
Allergies develop when the immune system incorrectly recognizes certain airborne particles – like pollen, animal dander or insect stings – as foreign invaders. In response, histamine-producing cells release chemicals designed to neutralise and eliminate allergens from your system.
Seasonal allergies, also known as allergic rhinitis or hay fever, take various forms depending on the season. Tree and flower pollen cause symptoms during spring; grasses and weeds do so during summer; while mold spores and late-blooming plants like ragweed cause them in autumn.
Climate change-driven temperatures allow plants to bloom and produce pollen much earlier and for longer than in prior decades, combined with urbanization and the use of non-native plants in city landscapes has intensified seasonal allergies across America. Air pollution and ozone can further contribute to this increase in allergenicity.
Fall
Everybody knows allergies are particularly problematic during spring, but they can still be present during the autumn season. Sneezing, runny nose and watery eyes can make it hard to function at work or school and interfere with outdoor activities like camping, hiking, hay rides, bonfires and sports.
Ragweed pollen peaks each autumn from August through October. Other allergens that may trigger symptoms include mold spores that thrive quickly in warm weather and are then tracked indoors where they can trigger allergy and asthma symptoms. Fungi such as Alternaria can also present issues for those suffering from seasonal allergies.
If you or your child suffers from allergies, it’s essential that they recognize their symptoms as soon as they appear. You can help decrease them by keeping an eye on pollen counts and creating a clean home environment; taking medication to prevent or reduce symptoms; seeing an allergist when your symptoms don’t respond; immunotherapy (exposing yourself gradually to doses of your allergen) is an effective option that requires a prescription from their physician – often supplemented by other therapies like medications or allergy shots.
Winter
Winter arrives and many assume their allergies have subsided – or at least that sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes have subsided – but winter allergies still impact East Tennesseans in ways hard to detect from cold symptoms.
Outdoor allergens like pollen tend to subside during the winter, yet indoor allergens like mold spores, mildew, dust mites, pet dander and wood smoke continue to be a problem in homes, schools and offices alike. These allergens often result in symptoms like sneezing, runny nose or itchy eyes – symptoms typically seen among asthmatics.
Cold symptoms usually include sore throat and chest discomfort, while those of allergies don’t typically produce this result. Furthermore, colds typically resolve on their own while allergies typically don’t.
Allergies may be bothersome, but it’s essential that they’re recognized and understood so you can manage them effectively. For seasonal allergies, consulting a board-certified allergist is often beneficial in managing symptoms; they may provide over-the-counter and prescription medication tailored specifically to you and improve quality of life. Furthermore, eating healthily and making other lifestyle adjustments may also help.
Comments are closed