Seasonal Allergies, also referred to as Allergic Rhinitis or Hay Fever, affect about one out of every four people. Children living with seasonal allergies experience symptoms at certain times of year depending on what pollens are in the air.
Over-the-counter allergy medicines may help alleviate symptoms. Doctors may also suggest immunotherapy to decrease reactions over time.
Pollen
Allergies to pollen can be the source of numerous symptoms including runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes and itchy eyes (allergic conjunctivitis). People suffering from asthma may also experience shortness of breath and wheezing due to pollen allergies; severity depends on both type and amount of pollen to which an individual is allergic as well as when and how often pollen enters the air.
Trees release pollen during spring, summer and fall seasons; grasses shed pollen in late spring/early summer while the weed ragweed releases its pollen from August until November.
Warmer temperatures and climate change have allowed grasses, trees and weeds to produce pollen for extended periods than was the case previously, leading to longer seasonal allergy seasons with more severe symptoms affecting those who suffer from asthma.
Cedar and birch tree pollen is among the first major allergens to emerge each spring, followed by grass pollen (ryegrass, timothy, Kentucky bluegrass and Bermuda grass) as well as ragweed in fall. Allergies to tree, weed and grass pollen can trigger allergic rhinitis symptoms as well as red, itchy eyes (allergic conjunctivitis). Individuals suffering from asthma could even experience an asthma attack from exposure. Pollen exposure could even prove fatal for some individuals suffering from chronic respiratory conditions like asthma or respiratory conditions like respiratory conditions like lung conditions like respiratory illness or respiratory conditions like asthma attacks from exposure.
Dust
If your allergy symptoms occur at roughly the same time each year and you don’t smoke, it could be seasonal allergies. One way to tell is taking antihistamines to see if symptoms improve; alternatively you could check weather apps or websites to determine what pollen levels were high at that moment in time.
Allergies are your immune system’s response to an environmental irritant that is typically harmless; tree, grass and weed pollen pollen is one such allergen which can trigger overreaction by your immune system and release natural chemicals called histamines to defend against allergens in your environment. Histamines cause inflammation of the nose lining as well as runny itchy eyes, nose congestion and sometimes whistling sounds when breathing; symptoms could include runny, itchy eyes/nose/throat/mouth breathing resulting in runny itchy eyes/nose/throat/eyes/throat/eyes as well as whistling sounds when breathing like whistling sounds whistling sounds from outside sources – also called wheezing!
The allergens that cause allergy symptoms will vary according to each individual, from pollen and dust mites (tiny bugs that live in carpets and draperies) to mold spores, pet dander and volatile organic compounds found in cleaning products, perfumes or colognes; even food sensitivities or non-IgE reactions like fruits or dairy could trigger reactions.
Animals
As with humans, animals such as dogs and cats may suffer seasonal allergies due to allergens like mold spores, dander (dried skin cells), trees, grasses, weeds and pollen grains. Signs include itchy eyes, nose and throat; runny nose; sneezing; itchy paws and ears as well as coughing or wheezing from allergic reactions – usually manifested seasonally due to higher allergen concentrations in their environment at these times.
Allergies cause the body’s immune system to react in an unusual manner to substances normally harmless, but in which its response becomes hypersensitive and overreacts. Allergies should typically be managed rather than cured; there are numerous treatment options available.
Steroid tablets may help to decrease inflammation while omega-3 fatty acids may decrease itching, improve skin health and decrease dryness associated with allergy dermatitis. Pet owners should take proactive steps to alleviate itching such as keeping windows closed during high pollen times or wiping their pet down after walks to wipe down its paws and coat.
However, unlike humans with allergies, pets may not exhibit obvious signs of their allergy symptoms, making diagnosis challenging. Your veterinarian can perform allergy testing to identify which allergens cause these reactions in your pet and a great treatment method is hyposensitization therapy or “allergy shots,” in which your pet receives gradual doses of their allergen until their immune system adjusts and they no longer have an allergic response to it.
Mold
Mold can exacerbate seasonal allergies, particularly during the fall and winter seasons. It thrives in decomposing plants, sending its spores flying into the air as it thrives. Gardening in mulch and dirt, playing sports outdoors or spending time in woodland areas all increase exposure to mold spores during these months.
Mold spores may cause symptoms like runny nose, itchy eyes and postnasal drip when inhaled; they may aggravate asthma and other respiratory conditions in those susceptible. Long-term exposure may cause further health complications for individuals with weak immune systems or preexisting respiratory diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Keep a log of all allergic reactions for several weeks prior to visiting your physician, noting where, what, and when they occur. Your physician can then use this information to accurately pinpoint what might be triggering them.
Your doctor will perform a physical exam and review of your medical history in order to accurately diagnose an allergy to mold spores. They may recommend skin prick testing whereby diluted allergens are applied via small punctures to the skin; if allergic, your skin will react by producing raised bumps on contact. Blood allergy testing provides a list of allergens with which you are hypersensitive (IgE antibody-positive).
Comments are closed