Springtime allergy symptoms tend to be especially bothersome for many patients; tree pollen levels peaking, grass pollen and weed pollen are major triggers of allergic rhinitis (hay fever).
Antihistamines or sprays may provide some relief depending on the source of allergy, while immunotherapy (allergy shots) may also be an effective strategy for seasonal allergies.
Spring
Springtime brings warmer temperatures, vibrant flowers and lush trees regrowing their leaves – but allergies can also appear during this season and produce symptoms such as runny nose, itchy eyes and sneezing. Allergies don’t result from viral infection but rather when your immune system misreads allergens like pollen or dander as harmful substances and produces antibodies in response, leading to its telltale symptoms such as runny nose.
Seasonal allergies, commonly referred to as allergic rhinitis and hay fever, affect nearly 50 million Americans every year. While you can attempt to minimize exposure to allergy triggers by staying indoors more often than not, symptoms cannot always be completely avoided; luckily there are over-the-counter and prescription medicines that may help relieve your symptoms.
Symptoms vary depending on which types of pollen your body is sensitive to; tree pollen tends to peak from February through June; grass pollen during midspring and summer; weed and ragweed pollen late summer/fall; as well as year-round triggers like dust mites or animal dander that cause allergic symptoms year-round. Your doctor may prescribe oral antihistamines and decongestants; nasal sprays; eye drops or eye drops depending on your symptoms, while an allergist may provide subcutaneous (under-the skin injections of specific allergens).
Summer
All summer, trees and grasses release pollen into the air, and if you are allergic, your immune system may mistake it as a dangerous invader and release chemicals such as histamines into your system, leading to allergy symptoms like runny nose and itchy eyes. Although allergy symptoms may seem similar to summer cold symptoms, allergy attacks typically last weeks rather than days as with typical colds.
Wherever you live, May is often considered the worst month for allergies. Tree pollen and grass pollen season start in May while later on during summer ragweed, sagebrush and tumbleweed bloom to produce even more allergy symptoms.
If you suffer from seasonal allergies, over-the-counter antihistamines, decongestants and eye drops may provide temporary relief. Your doctor may also prescribe corticosteroid nasal sprays or immunotherapy shots (allergy shots) to reduce symptoms and help keep them at bay. Speak to your physician today about beginning allergy testing – either a skin test in which small amounts of suspected allergens are injected subcutaneously can confirm whether seasonal allergies exist; alternatively blood allergy testing measures antibody levels.
Fall
As temperatures start to cool down, seasonal allergies resurface with full force, with fall being peak allergy season. Like springtime, many people experience symptoms related to tree pollen; however, ragweed (another common allergen) may also wreak havoc and cause symptoms in falltime.
From August to October, ragweed pollen can travel great distances. This plant grows both urban and rural environments and is one of the primary causes of seasonal allergies; symptoms may include nasal congestion, itchy eyes and nose, runny nose, oral allergy syndrome symptoms including throat, mouth and lips itching as well as sneezing.
Other plants that release late summer and fall pollen include burning bush, cocklebur, cocklebur burst, sagebrush, tumbleweed, and mugwort. Alternaria fungus can also trigger allergic reactions in mouth and throat areas as well as itchy eyes, noses and ears.
As temperatures fall and we spend more time inside, mold spores and dust mites may increase indoors and cause allergy symptoms for some individuals. Closing windows regularly, washing clothing and bedding regularly and vacuuming are effective ways to limit mold growth as a source of allergens; fixing leaky roofs or any water damage repair will further minimize indoor allergen levels; fixing leaky roofs can prevent mildew growth which is another common source of allergies; pet dander, dust mites or even cockroaches may all contribute as allergens indoors – with many taking medications when allergy symptoms appear when triggered.
Winter
Many people experience winter allergies, with itchy eyes and runny nose being common symptoms. Since it can be hard to distinguish these from cold symptoms during this season, but duration and lack of fever/chills will provide insight as to whether your symptoms are caused by allergies or virus.
Allergies, commonly referred to as hay fever or allergic rhinitis, develop when plants such as trees, grasses and weeds release pollen into the air to fertilize other plants. When exposed, an individual’s immune system recognizes this pollen as a foreign substance and releases histamine-releasing chemicals into their system to combat it off; these release cause symptoms like runny noses and itchy, watery eyes – two classic indicators of an allergy reaction.
Other allergens that may trigger allergy attacks in winter include pet dander, mold spores and other airborne pollutants that become more prominent inside due to more time spent indoors. Damp conditions in homes – particularly basements – may promote mold growth while wood smoke from burning fireplaces may also trigger an allergic response.
Most symptoms can be managed using over-the-counter medications like antihistamines, nasal sprays and decongestants. If these don’t help, however, consult an allergist who may suggest immunotherapy shots which gradually expose your immune system to small doses of an allergen in order to train it not to respond negatively.
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