Seasonal allergies are airborne allergens that cause symptoms in either your nose (allergic rhinitis) or in the membrane lining your eyelids and covering the whites of your eyes (allergic conjunctivitis), but only appear at certain times of year.
This year, many are suffering more intense allergies than in years past, possibly because pollen counts are increasing more quickly and for longer than they used to.
Spring
Seasonal Allergies are caused by airborne pollen entering the eyes, nose or throat and activating an immune response in response to histamine released by your immune system, leading to symptoms including runny noses, itchy eyes, sneezing and nasal congestion. Allergies can occur at any age; most commonly seen among children or young adults. They often run in families and can trigger other diseases such as eczema or asthma as well.
Spring season sees tree pollen pollinating from March and peaks between April and May, while grass pollen begins increasing from June onwards until September; late summer through fall allergy sufferers often find relief with ragweed allergies.
Allergy testing is the ideal way to identify what allergens you’re allergic to, and an allergist can conduct either a skin prick test or blood test to do just that. A skin prick test involves applying small amounts of allergen solution directly onto the surface of your skin and looking for any reaction; while blood testing takes samples of your blood from multiple locations in your body to detect allergens like pollen, dust mites, mold or pets that could potentially trigger reactions in some people. By knowing exactly what causes reactions for you personally you can take measures prevent or treat symptoms more effectively than before.
Summer
Seasonal Allergies cause itchy eyes and runny noses as symptoms, occurring when an allergy-sensitive person’s immune system misidentifies an allergen such as pollen or animal dander as harmful even though they don’t actually pose a threat. Wind carries these allergens through the air where they can be inhaled or touched and trigger allergic responses like sneezing and nasal congestion, leading to allergic reactions such as sneezing and nasal congestion.
Allergies to airborne irritants like pollen and mold spores tend to be particularly intense during the summer, due to trees and weeds producing higher levels of pollen as temperatures heat up, along with earlier and extended pollination periods by plants pollinating earlier and longer periods. Furthermore, increased temperatures contribute to increased allergy symptoms by allowing pollen travel further distances and creating higher humidity levels – amplifying allergy symptoms further still.
Summer allergies typically originate with tree pollen, grass pollen and ragweed pollen; however other plants such as burning bush, cocklebur, tumbleweed and sagebrush can also trigger late summer allergy symptoms. People allergic to either grass or ragweed pollen may also develop mild allergic reactions against certain raw vegetables or fruits, including bell peppers, zucchini and tomatoes.
If you or someone in your life suffer from seasonal allergies, consult with an allergist about finding relief. They may suggest over-the-counter or prescription antihistamines, decongestants and nasal sprays as effective solutions; or testing may also help identify specific allergens to which they’re allergic.
Fall
Seasonal Allergies, also referred to as allergic rhinitis or hay fever, occur when your immune system reacts negatively to certain forms of pollen and mold that enter through pollen-bearing trees or grass pollen. Exposure can result in runny noses, sneezing fits, itchy eyes, congestion and runny noses – symptoms most frequently experienced between spring and fall when tree and grass pollen levels peak.
Allergens that cause seasonal allergies vary by region, but in autumn ragweed is generally the leading offender. Starting to bloom around August and releasing pollen into autumn months, ragweed releases pollen throughout its bloom cycle until it dies back completely in November. Elm trees, wall pellitory grass and goosefoot grass can also be triggers of seasonal allergy attacks in addition to damp conditions like decayed leaves or bales of hay where mold growth thrives.
Antihistamines and steroid nasal sprays, in addition to lifestyle modifications such as avoiding outdoor activities during peak allergy times, wearing a mask while performing yard work or chores around the house, washing clothes and hands after spending time outside and/or wearing an antihistamine can provide short-term relief; immunotherapy (allergy shots) may provide longer term solutions.
Winter
Winter allergies (commonly referred to as allergic rhinitis) typically develop when people come into contact with allergens found indoors such as pet dander, mold or dust mites. Common symptoms are congestion, runny nose and sneezing; allergy sufferers differ from colds in that their immune responses may become exaggerated over time in response to harmless substances whereas colds are caused by viral infections that trigger immune system responses in a more gradual fashion.
Seasonal allergies often begin in February and last through early summer in the United States. Trees release pollen to begin their reproductive processes during this period; grasses and ragweed plants produce pollen during summer and fall months which cause seasonal allergy symptoms in many regions across the nation.
Pollen generally rests during winter; however, in warm climates some plants continue producing pollen that may trigger allergies all year.
Allergies can often be treated using over-the-counter or prescription antihistamines, decongestants and nasal sprays. Doctors may also perform skin prick tests to pinpoint allergens that trigger symptoms.
Winter allergies don’t get much coverage, yet they still impact quality of life. People suffering from allergy symptoms should consult with a doctor specializing in allergy treatment in order to identify triggers and determine the most effective remedy. A physician can also suggest other preventative measures, like keeping pets out of bedrooms, regularly washing bedding and curtains and using dehumidifiers in order to control moisture.
Comments are closed