Seasonal allergies, commonly referred to as “hay fever”, can result in runny noses, itchy eyes and sneezing. They typically appear only during certain seasons and affect either your nasal membranes (allergic rhinitis) or those covering your eyes and cheeks (conjunctivitis).
Allergies occur when your immune system mistakenly attacks a harmless substance as being harmful. Treatment options include over-the-counter and prescription medicines.
Spring
Spring allergies are caused by airborne pollen from trees, grasses and weeds which is carried in the wind and settles on your nose and eyes, setting off an allergic response characterized by symptoms like sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes – known as seasonal allergic rhinitis or “hay fever”, this condition affects millions of Americans every year and may interfere with daily life, school or work schedules.
First step toward relief: identify what’s triggering your symptoms. A home test or visiting an allergist are both options to identify what’s triggering them; skin tests involve pricking your skin with diluted allergens to see how your immune system responds, or blood tests which measure immunoglobulin E (IgE), the antibody produced when exposed to specific allergens.
Once outdoors, it can be nearly impossible to avoid allergy-causing allergens. Luckily, over-the-counter medicines like oral antihistamines and nasal sprays may help improve symptoms. If they persist, talk to an ear, nose and throat specialist for long-term relief options; or consider making lifestyle changes and reducing allergen exposure as ways of alleviating allergy discomfort this spring.
Summer
Allergies are an unfortunate reality that can have devastating repercussions for your health. According to the CDC, symptoms that interfere with daily life should be discussed with a healthcare provider immediately – sniffling, sneezing, runny nose, itchy or watery eyes or itching of throat are just some examples. Your physician can diagnose and treat your allergies so you can live your best life!
Dependent upon where you reside, different allergens reach their peak levels at different times throughout the year. Tree pollen levels peak between February and June; grass pollen can be found most prevalently between May and August; while weed pollen peaks from July through October. Allergies can affect people of any age – even children as young as two can develop them.
Many individuals find relief from over-the-counter allergy medications, such as antihistamines, decongestants and eye drops; as well as nasal sinus rinsing with saline solution. Your primary care provider can prescribe more intensive courses of treatment like nasal sprays or immunotherapy (allergy shots) in order to alleviate symptoms.
One simple blood or skin test can identify your allergens – those substances which trigger symptoms – and you can lower exposure by keeping windows closed during high pollen days, changing clothes after spending time outdoors, wearing a NIOSH-rated 95 filter mask when doing yard work and showering away pollen residue on your body.
Fall
Fall is often a peak time for allergy symptoms, depending on a person’s allergies and location. Trees bloom again during this season, producing tree pollen, while it’s also ragweed pollen season; for some this may trigger allergic rhinitis (hay fever) symptoms. Therefore it may be wise to limit outdoor activities like gardening and walking or biking since these activities increase exposure to potential irritants.
Fall is also the season for mold spores to multiply, often caused by rainy weather or wet leaves and decayed wood. Mold allergies don’t usually display similar allergy symptoms to grass or tree allergies, but can still cause respiratory distress, itchiness and fatigue. If your symptoms are severe or you suffer from asthma, seek medical advice immediately for proper diagnosis and symptom-control medications such as oral antihistamines and decongestants to manage them effectively.
To discover what’s causing your allergies, it’s wise to see an allergist for a thorough skin or blood allergy test. These tests will enable you to identify what you’re allergic to so you can try to limit exposure as much as possible. Likewise, take measures like closing windows during high pollen days, washing hands after spending time outdoors or going straight back indoors soon after returning from being outdoors, as well as washing hands after spending time outside and before going to sleep at night.
Winter
Winter pollen counts tend to be lower than spring and summer pollen counts; however, some individuals can still experience allergy symptoms in winter due to indoor allergens like mold spores, mildew, pet dander and dust mites1.
Allergies can mimic many of the symptoms of colds, such as itchy eyes and throat, runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion and watery eyes; the main difference being duration and whether fever and chills accompany these reactions; colds typically resolve within a few days while allergic reactions could last months or more.
Winter allergies are further aggravated when people spend too much time indoors, particularly homes with heating systems and tight seals. Constant exposure to allergens will trigger their immune systems into responding as though these were harmful invaders, leading to itchy eyes and throat, congestion, sneezing, sinus pressure and fatigue symptoms.
Allergies can be difficult to diagnose as their symptoms often overlap with a cold. IgE blood testing can help identify which allergens are triggering your allergies and tailor a treatment plan accordingly – with over-the-counter and prescription antihistamines, decongestants and nasal steroid sprays often providing temporary relief; or subcutaneous injections of specific allergens could provide more long-term solutions.
Comments are closed