Seasonal allergies can be more than an inconvenience; they can seriously disrupt daily life and produce various symptoms. At our facility, we offer over-the-counter and prescription medicines such as antihistamines and nasal sprays to provide relief.
Allergies develop when your immune system reacts to airborne pollen originating from trees, weeds and grasses – usually found on trees, weeds and grasses – triggering runny noses, itchy eyes and itching in the throat. Symptoms of allergies may include runny noses, itchy eyes and throat irritation.
Pollen
Pollen is a fine powdery substance produced by plants to fertilize other plants and help them produce seeds, and carried by the wind into people with allergies to it. When pollen reaches sensitive tissues in their nose, throat, or eyes, their immune systems recognize it as foreign invaders and release chemicals into their bloodstream to fight it off, leading to classic allergy symptoms like sneezing, runny noses and watery eyes.
Tree pollen production varies with each season, with spring and summer being peak times in many parts of the United States. Weeds like ragweed, sagebrush and lamb’s quarters release pollen late summer through fall while some flowering plants such as chrysanthemums and echinacea also release it throughout this time period.
Due to climate change-driven warming temperatures, pollen seasons have become longer than they used to be, causing more allergy issues for some individuals. It is essential that individuals learn what pollens are most prevalent in their area, and follow local allergy forecasts. Most allergies related to pollen can be treated using over-the-counter or prescription antihistamines, decongestants, nasal sprays or immunotherapy shots – offering long-term relief by gradually exposing you to allergens responsible.
Mold
Assimilation to mold spores can produce symptoms in the eyes, nose, throat and skin. Mold is most often found indoors – including basements, attics and bathrooms – but also outdoors in damp environments or near decomposing vegetation. Mold thrives best in humid, warm and damp conditions where humidity levels remain at about 50% or above; an increase of mold spores in the air often occurs during wetter seasons when leaves fall off and decompose into soil.
Mold allergies often present similar symptoms as other allergens, including runny nose, itchy eyes and throat irritation, itchy skin rashes and wheezing. Some individuals may develop allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis causing wheezing, tightness in chest area and shortness of breath.
People allergic to one type of mold or fungi may react adversely to other varieties; for instance, some individuals have developed allergic reactions from mushrooms and vegetarian “meat” products containing fungi due to being made from Alternaria alternata organism.
Antihistamines are often the go-to treatment for mold allergies, alongside nasal corticosteroids and oral and nasal spray decongestants for relieving symptoms such as sneezing and itchy eyes and throat as well as watery noses. Antihistamines may help with symptoms like sneezing, itchy throat and watery nose while decreasing symptoms like sneezing. Oral and nasal spray decongestants are also available to relieve stuffy noses.
Dust
Sneezing, itchy eyes and runny nose symptoms are classic indicators of allergies. If these symptoms only surface at certain times of year, it could indicate seasonal allergies rather than being caused by something else like a cold. A doctor can conduct a physical exam as part of diagnosing allergic rhinitis – it typically doesn’t require allergy testing!
Your immune system recognizes pollen from trees, grasses, flowers and weeds as an invasion and creates antibodies to combat it. Once an allergen reenters your system again, these antibodies release chemicals which cause symptoms like watery, itchy eyes, sneezing and runny or stuffy nose.
Dust mites, animal dander and molds may also exacerbate allergy symptoms in certain people. Sometimes these substances can even co-exist within a household with those suffering from pollen allergies, making it hard for an allergist to pin point which substance is responsible for producing allergy symptoms.
As the best way to identify which allergens are causing your symptoms is knowing when they typically occur, for instance if they appear during spring, it could be tree pollen allergy; in summer or fall this may change with grass or ragweed pollen or indoor air pollutants like mold or pet dander being affected.
Animals
Animals can suffer seasonal allergies to many of the same environmental allergens that cause human allergy symptoms; however, their allergic responses often manifest as itchy skin (allergic dermatitis) rather than sneezing and wheezing. They may lick and scratch excessively to soothe irritation leading to dryness and secondary infections; seasonal pet allergies usually take place between spring and fall depending on local allergen levels and weather conditions.
Allergy skin problems in pets resemble human allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis in that they include itchy eyes and ears, similar to what humans experience. A veterinarian will typically diagnose seasonal pet allergies by conducting a history review, physical exam and laboratory tests such as skin or blood testing for sensitization; occasionally a specialist veterinary dermatologist may also be needed for testing to help pinpoint allergens responsible.
Keep your pet indoors during peak pollen times, use air filters, and wash their bedding and toys on a regular basis to reduce allergen exposure. Your vet may recommend antihistamines and steroid creams to treat itchy skin and control flare-ups; omega-3 fatty acids may reduce inflammation as a supplement for skin health in pets; in severe cases immunotherapy may be advised as a way of desensitizing to triggers that create symptoms in your pet.
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