Allergies affect millions of people worldwide and arise when your body overreacts to airborne pollen produced by trees, flowers, grass or weeds. Common symptoms of an allergic reaction are runny nose, itchy eyes and sneezing.
Allergic reactions can be avoided by taking antihistamines and avoiding allergy triggers, including weather forecasting and pollen count checks in your area. Doing this will allow you to plan activities when allergen levels rise and keep you healthier overall.
Spring
Spring brings beautiful flower buds, lush grasses and blooming trees; but for many people, spring also means seasonal allergies (also known as allergic rhinitis or hay fever). Allergies are caused by airborne allergens like pollen, mold spores and mildew spores which come into contact with their immune systems and trigger symptoms like sneezing and watery eyes.
Wherever you live, different plants produce allergens at various points throughout the year. Tree pollen typically peaks in spring while grass pollen tends to reach its highest levels by mid to late summer. Warmer temperatures associated with climate change have extended pollen seasons further for trees such as oak, birch and cottonwood which continue producing pollen even for longer.
Spring allergies can disrupt both work and social activities, disrupt sleep quality and make concentration difficult – and worsen skin conditions such as eczema.
But there are ways to manage allergy symptoms effectively. Over-the-counter and prescription antihistamines may help suppress immune reactions, thus relieving symptoms. Decongestants may help relieve congestion. Nasal corticosteroids and bronchodilators are also treatments available. For severe symptoms, a doctor may also suggest subcutaneous injections of allergens into your body in order to desensitize over time.
Summer
Allergies occur when your immune system reacts negatively to substances in the environment that it considers potentially harmful, known as allergens. Once in contact with these allergens, your body releases chemicals which trigger symptoms like sneezing, runny nose and watery eyes – symptoms which affect people of all ages and skin types alike.
Seasonal allergies, or “hay fever,” occur when trees, grass and weeds emit pollen into the air and land on human noses and eyes where it causes allergic rhinitis symptoms to surface.
Late spring and early summer allergies tend to be caused by tree pollens such as alder, birch, cedar, ash, elm, horse chestnut, oak and poplar trees. Midwest pasture grasses like timothy orchard grass and ryegrass also play a part in pollen season here; later in summer comes ragweed pollen season – an invasive weed with 40 species across America!
Summer heat and humidity can aggravate allergy symptoms by increasing airborne mold spore levels, particularly mold spores that thrive in moist environments such as decomposing leaves, compost piles and mulch piles. People working in these environments or spending time gardening, farming or hiking may increase their exposure to mold spores which have been known to lead to sinus pressure, congestion and itchy and watery eyes – among many other symptoms.
Fall
Allergies may produce symptoms including sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes and itching; but they can also lead to body aches like sore joints or muscles, fatigue and headaches. If these symptoms continue for more than a few weeks it’s essential that you visit a physician as soon as possible.
Fall allergies, commonly referred to as “hay fever”, are caused by pollen from trees, grasses and weeds. Pollen production from these sources peaks from late summer through early fall as trees and weeds release their pollen into the atmosphere; tree pollen may even continue to be produced year-round depending on climate conditions. Ragweed blooms early each August and continues producing pollen until snowfall arrives – another common allergen.
Mold spores can also pose a significant danger in the fall months, particularly during periods of rainfall. When airborne mold spores come in contact with moisture from wet leaves or decaying vegetation, inhalation occurs more easily and they become airborne causing further spread.
Alongside OTC medications and nasal sprays, allergy doctors also offer antihistamines and steroid nasal sprays as treatments. If necessary, they may recommend subcutaneous injections of allergen-specific immunotherapy (allergy shots) over several months or years to reduce allergic reactions. They can also provide advice about ways to avoid allergen triggers and improve indoor air quality by washing bedding in hot water, taking steps such as removing stuffed animals from children’s rooms, fixing leaks and mold, as well as other tactics such as washing bedding in hot water for improved indoor air quality.
Winter
Allergies can create similar symptoms to colds, including runny nose, sneezing, itchy watery eyes and skin itchiness, sinus congestion and itchy patches on the body. If symptoms become severe or persist despite taking over-the-counter medicines and making lifestyle adjustments, medical consultation is strongly advised.
Allergies occur when our immune systems overreact to something normally harmless for us – an allergen. When exposed, this causes our bodies to produce chemicals like histamines, leukotrienes and prostaglandins in response, leading to various allergy symptoms.
Sneezing, itchy eyes and runny nose are among the more commonly experienced symptoms of allergies; however, more serious reactions may include chest or abdominal tightness or tightness, abdominal discomfort, hives or itchy skin reactions, anaphylaxis (a life-threatening allergic reaction which causes difficulty breathing), facial or tongue swelling, dizziness, fainting shock or even death) can occur as well.
Winter allergies are more prevalent than many realize, and their causes vary depending on a range of factors1. Damp conditions that promote mold growth and circulation of its spores may trigger winter allergies in some individuals; pets indoors can aggravate symptoms due to pet dander; indoor pollutants like wood smoke or chemical fumes may contribute as well; this condition is further compounded by poor home ventilation – especially in bathrooms and basements.
Comments are closed