Seasonal allergies, also known as allergic rhinitis or hay fever, affect millions of people each year and manifest in itchy, runny noses and watery eyes.
Allergies are caused by airborne pollen from flowers, trees, grasses and weeds. These allergens irritate both the membrane lining the nose (allergic rhinitis) and whites of eyes (allergic conjunctivitis), leading to symptoms such as allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis that require medication such as antihistamines, decongestants or nasal sprays to relieve.
Spring
Spring allergies (also known as “hay fever”) occur when an individual comes into contact with airborne allergens such as pollen or mold spores that activate histamine release in their immune systems, leading to runny nose and watery eyes – symptoms which may last from early spring through the summer depending on your geographic location and severity of winter weather conditions.
Some areas in the United States see trees start pollinating earlier, prompting allergies to set in sooner. Birch, oak, cedar and horse chestnut trees tend to cause spring allergies in most people.
Seasonal allergies can be managed using medication. Antihistamines and decongestants may provide temporary relief of congestion, itching and sneezing; decongestants help clear mucus from your nose and throat while steroid nasal sprays offer instantaneous comfort. Doctors may also offer immunotherapy (allergen specific immunotherapy), which involves receiving regular shots in their office over several months to desensitize your immune system against airborne allergens that trigger your symptoms.
Experts anticipate a higher-than-normal amount of pollen this year due to climate change; researchers still aren’t entirely sure why. Possible contributors include warmer temperatures, increased carbon dioxide emissions and fluctuating precipitation patterns – all factors which could increase pollen counts significantly.
Summer
Summer allergies can be just as troublesome as spring allergies, making life an unpleasant experience. Unfortunately, they’re difficult to differentiate from a cold. But there are several signs you can watch out for to determine whether they’re due to allergies or just an ordinary cold.
Allergies occur when your immune system attacks something foreign to it, such as pollen, mold spores or stinging insects. Your body’s response can trigger unpleasant symptoms like runny nose, itchy eyes and sneezing; which can impede work, school and play activities.
Summer pollen season includes tree, grass and weed pollen as well as mold spores; its production varies based on your location in the United States and weather patterns during mild winters; warmer temperatures associated with climate change extend pollen seasons further, making them more intense.
At Uptown Allergy & Asthma, our specialists understand how best to treat seasonal allergies: by minimizing exposure to substances that trigger reactions. Checking pollen and mold spore counts before venturing outdoors is one way you can do this, or talking to your doctor about allergy shots which help build immunity against pollen and other substances in future years. For additional advice on treating your allergies contact them now.
Fall
Your child may start sneezing again as the summer ends and school resumes, possibly due to fall allergies known as seasonal allergic rhinitis or hay fever. These allergies can cause sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, sinus congestion and postnasal drip.
Allergen levels often peak between late summer and fall, with ragweed pollen being one of the major triggers. Ragweed releases billions of pollen grains which travel for miles before being released by its bloom. Mold spores may also pose an issue as they thrive in damp environments like piles of leaves or decayed plant matter.
If your child suffers from allergies, you should limit outdoor time when air quality is most polluted – usually early morning and windy days – and wipe their feet when returning indoors to prevent tracking in mold or allergens.
Antihistamines and decongestants may provide temporary relief of allergy symptoms. Over-the-counter antihistamines can reduce swelling and itching while decongestants help ease congestion. If symptoms become more severe, doctors may recommend corticosteroid nasal spray or injections – these suppress immune systems to help alleviate allergies; although results may take time. Visiting an allergist for skin testing is one way of pinpointing which allergens may be triggering your child’s symptoms as well as finding preventive solutions.
Winter
Allergies can impact people of all ages and races, with seasonal allergies causing chronic nasal congestion, sneezing, itchy eyes and runny nose symptoms for those affected. They may also experience respiratory symptoms such as wheezing and coughing as well as skin reactions such as hives or rash.
Winter allergies are not caused by outdoor pollen alone, but rather indoor allergens like pet dander, dust mites, mold spores, mice droppings and cockroaches. We spend more time indoors during the winter, increasing our exposure to these allergens.
Winter allergies are often mistaken for cold and flu symptoms, making it hard for some individuals to tell whether their symptoms are actually allergy related or not. Therefore, it is crucial to consult an allergist in order to receive accurate diagnosis and management of allergy-related symptoms.
Allergies occur when our immune systems mistakenly recognize a substance as harmful and produces antibodies in response. Over time, these antibodies can produce symptoms including itching, itchy or watery eyes, sneezing and runny nose, asthma attacks and fatigue. According to CDC recommendations for anyone experiencing allergy-related symptoms should visit their healthcare provider to receive specific IgE blood testing; an allergist will be able to help optimize treatment plans more effectively while managing oral, nasal and eyedrop medications as well as steroid sprays.
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