Symptoms such as runny nose and itchy eyes that only arise at certain times of year could be seasonal allergies, also known as allergic rhinitis or hay fever. This condition is caused by airborne allergens which shift with each season.
Symptoms of allergies include itchy skin, runny nose and sneezing. Doctors can diagnose an allergy by pricking the skin or performing a blood test.
Spring
Seasonal allergies, commonly referred to as allergic rhinitis or hay fever, cause itchy eyes, watery noses and sneezing. Seasonal allergies often arise when trees, weeds and grasses release small grains of pollen into the air during reproduction cycles – when these allergens come in contact with someone allergic, their immune systems mistake them as invaders and release chemicals such as histamines, leukotrienes or prostaglandins that produce allergy symptoms – creating clusters of allergy symptoms.
Spring is peak allergy season, as tree pollen starts releasing its grains in February and March and continues to peak until April or May in certain locations. Meanwhile, grass pollen starts appearing late spring/early summer; and ragweed (found all across America) typically produces its pollen from late summer/early fall.
Climate plays an integral part in the levels of allergens found in the environment, with warmer and drier conditions producing higher concentrations of allergens. To determine if your symptoms may be seasonal allergies, speaking to an allergist and having tests conducted such as either pricking your skin with small amounts of diluted allergens in order to check for reactions (prick test), or injecting small doses into arms or backs over months or years (subcutaneous injection) will provide useful data that allows an allergy specialist to prescribe medicines that prevent allergy symptoms.
Summer
Allergies occur when your immune system responds to an allergen with antibodies that produce substances such as histamines, leukotrienes and prostaglandins that produce symptoms including runny nose or itchy eyes that interfere with daily activities. Allergies may range in severity; mild reactions may include itchy skin but severe ones could interfere with everyday tasks.
Allergens that cause seasonal allergies are airborne particles that trigger an immune response in the nose and nasal passages, throat and eyes. Many find relief using over-the-counter or prescription antihistamines which reduce your body’s immune response while providing symptom relief; nasal sprays and decongestants may also help relieve congestion. For severe cases, immunotherapy or allergy shots (allergen immunotherapy) may provide long-term immunity boosting by providing regular injections containing tiny amounts of the allergen that causes symptoms over months or years – gradually desensitizing your immune system over time to eventually return under control of its own control.
Seasonal allergies affect millions of Americans each year and their numbers continue to increase. They’re especially prevalent during spring when trees produce pollen and summer when grass and weed pollination happens, leading to symptoms such as runny or stuffy nose, itchy eyes/throat/sneezing as well as possible asthma attacks that typically appear around this time each year. While symptoms can range from mild to severe severity levels; symptoms typically become worse at approximately the same time each year.
Fall
Seasonal allergies – more commonly referred to as “hay fever” — typically present themselves at certain times of year, usually when trees, grasses and weeds release pollen into the air during their reproductive cycles. When someone with seasonal allergies breathes this pollen in, their immune systems recognize it as invaders and respond by releasing chemicals like histamine into their bloodstream in an effort to fight the trigger, leading to symptoms like sneezing, runny nose and watery eyes.
Seasonal allergies often appear suddenly and last until an allergen is no longer in the air, such as when trees stop pollinating or it gets colder. Taking allergy medication to see if your symptoms improve can help determine if they’re related to allergies; additionally, using an app such as Weatherbug to track pollen counts can be useful.
Spring allergy symptoms typically peak with flower and tree pollen levels; grass pollen reaches its highest point during summer; while weeds (like ragweed) and mold spores may aggravate symptoms in fall. If severe seasonal allergy symptoms interfere with daily life or prevent you from functioning normally, consider immunotherapy; this treatment involves repeat exposure to small doses of an allergen over time to desensitize your immune system and decrease symptoms over time.
Winter
Seasonal allergies, also known as “hay fever”, cause runny nose, itchy eyes and nasal congestion during certain seasons when trees, grasses and weeds release small pollen particles into the air to fertilize other plants. When someone with seasonal allergies inhales these allergens into their system, their immune systems treat them as invaders and release histamine-releasing chemicals to defend against them – this then causes symptoms for that person with seasonal allergies.
Avoiding triggers of seasonal allergies is often key to managing symptoms effectively, which means staying indoors during high pollen times, keeping windows closed, using air conditioning when possible and washing hands frequently. If this doesn’t help, medications like oral and nasal antihistamines and corticosteroid nasal sprays may be prescribed to alleviate symptoms.
Natural treatments, such as butterbur extract and spirulina (a form of dried algae), may help alleviate symptoms. Unfortunately, results of limited clinical trials have shown mixed success rates; for maximum relief speak with your physician. If symptoms persist after medication has failed.
Untreated allergies can have serious repercussions for one’s health, impacting every system and aspect of life. Allergies can decrease quality of life and disrupt sleep patterns; worsen existing medical conditions; lead to depression and anxiety – so finding an allergy treatment regimen tailored specifically to you is of vital importance.
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