Allergies cause symptoms including itchy eyes, runny nose and sneezing. Usually seen during certain seasons and caused by allergens in the air such as pollen, mold spores or animal dander, these reactions usually manifest themselves during a specific season.
Allergies can be caused when inhaling allergens that trigger your body to produce chemicals that make you sneeze. Seasonal allergies (or allergic rhinitis) affect people from various parts of the country at different times during the year.
Pollen
Millions of allergy sufferers find joy in warm weather, birds chirping and flowers blooming – yet for them these beautiful sights and trees can also cause itchy eyes, runny nose and sneezing due to pollen – an allergen produced by plants to reproduce themselves and released into the air through stamens in male reproductive parts of plants. It then travels via air currents to fertilise female stigmas on other species in its species1 for fertilization purposes.1
As soon as you inhale pollen, your immune system detects it as an enemy invader and responds by producing antibodies against pollen grains – producing chemicals which cause symptoms like sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes that we’re all familiar with.
Pollen levels vary with season and location; tree pollen typically starts pollinating early spring with its peak coming between March and April; while ragweed, another common allergen, typically begins pollinating in August and can continue through November. Weather also plays a part; breezy days can send pollen flying while rainy or cloudy days wash it away; therefore it’s best to stay indoors during high pollen counts to limit exposure to outdoor sources; take allergy medication when levels rise or immunotherapy (allergy shots) can build immunity against specific allergens.
Mold
Mold can exacerbate allergy symptoms and contribute to asthma attacks, often becoming worse during spring due to warm weather and increased moisture in the air. Mold spores are most often found indoors such as basements, bathrooms and laundry rooms but may also be found outdoors; certain varieties produce unpleasant odors as well as produce symptoms like coughing and wheezing.
The immune system recognizes spores as threats and reacts by secreting chemicals that produce irritation and inflammation responses in our nose (allergic rhinitis), throat (asthma), or membrane that lines eyes (conjunctivitis).
Molds differ from pollen in that they do not wither after exposure to cold temperatures; instead they continue to proliferate and release more spores into the air. Mold spores may also be found in compost piles, fallen leaves and decaying logs – as well as grasses and grains containing grass seeds or grains that contain grains.
If you suspect a mold allergy, seeing an allergist for testing should be your next step. They’ll take blood samples from you to detect immunoglobulin E antibodies in your body that bind with specific allergens – antibodies against mold spores will signal your allergy status. In addition, doctors will consider your personal and family medical histories, home and work environments and activities which might expose you to allergens as well as performing a physical exam of your nose, eyes, throat, lungs before making their decision about diagnosissing you with mold allergy or not.
Dust
Dust mites can be an issue for those suffering seasonal allergies. These microscopic creatures thrive in warm and humid environments and when exposed to air pollution they release allergens into the air that irritate both nose and eyes causing runny noses, itchy watery eyes, sneezing or other symptoms which irritate nose or eyes causing runny noses, itchy watery eyes or even severe runny noses that lead to runny noses, runny sneezing due to dust mite allergies if left untreated can result in asthma which is a serious lung condition affecting multiple systems simultaneously causing multiple systems involved.
People suffering from seasonal allergies may also exhibit reactions to indoor allergens like mold and pet dander, which may cause wheezing, coughing and difficulty breathing. These allergies may result in wheezing, coughing and difficulty breathing symptoms.
At the end of summer, most outdoor allergens have dissipated; however, pollen from trees, weeds, grasses and flowers still lingers in the air and causes itchy eyes and runny noses for millions of Americans.
If your allergies are seasonal, over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestants may help relieve symptoms. If they involve multiple substances, an allergist might suggest subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT). This treatment involves injecting increasing doses of an allergen into a fat layer beneath your skin in order to desensitize your immune system to it over time – not as a cure but more as an aid. While SCIT may not completely eliminate need for medication.
Animals
Pollen, mold spores and other allergens present during spring can trigger symptoms like itchy eyes, runny nose and sinus congestion in millions of humans worldwide. Pets also can be affected by seasonal allergies – typically through skin or paw reactions instead of symptoms appearing within their respiratory systems.
Skin symptoms in dogs and cats often include excessive scratching or biting, leading to skin lesions and hair loss. They’re most prevalent in areas that collect dirt and debris like paws, ears flaps, armpits or abdomen. Sometimes the itchiness becomes so intense that secondary skin infections occur which require antibiotic treatment for recovery.
Diagnosing seasonal allergies involves both an analysis of symptoms that appear at specific times each year and exposure to allergy-triggering substances in the environment (allergens). If your pet experiences skin disease during certain seasons, your veterinarian may suggest conducting a skin prick test in order to identify which allergens may be triggering an allergic response.
Once the other causes have been excluded, your VCA care team can create an effective treatment strategy that includes frequent bathing with mild hypoallergenic shampoo and topical ointments to soothe skin and alleviate itchiness. We may also suggest an effective flea preventative in order to minimize flea bites which may aggravate any itching flare-ups.
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