Seasonal Allergies, more commonly referred to as Allergic Rhinitis or Hay Fever, cause runny noses and itchy, watery eyes. Pollen from trees, grasses and weeds is released into the atmosphere and causes this reaction.
Pollen can trigger our immune systems, prompting our defense systems to release chemicals such as histamines in order to defend us. Symptoms may include runny nose, itchy eyes and itchy skin.
Spring
Seasonal allergies affect more than one out of every four adults in the US and can greatly diminish quality of life. Luckily, over-the-counter medicines and allergy immunotherapy can provide relief.
Allergies occur when your immune system mistakenly perceives harmless airborne substances as threats and responds with histamines and other chemicals released into the bloodstream to combat it. This often results in itchy eyes or sneezing as well.
Springtime brings millions of trees pollenating, leading to allergic reactions in some people. Birch, oak and maple trees tend to cause reactions in northern parts of the United States while grass pollen may also pose problems for those with milder allergies.
Climate change-linked warmer temperatures could be exacerbating pollen seasons this year and making allergies worse for patients. To avoid mistaking allergy symptoms for cold symptoms and seek the appropriate treatments.
Summer
Summer allergies are typically triggered by grass pollen (such as rye and timothy), tree pollen (birch, oak and spruce) and weed pollen (burdock, ragweed nettle and mugwort). Other allergens that may aggravate late summer/fall symptoms include fruit/veggies like tomatoes bell peppers and zucchini; bees/wasps; mold spores etc; with symptoms including itchy nose/eyes, runny nose/runny nose/sneezing nasal congestion wheezing cough.
Allergies arise when our immune systems mistake a harmless substance (allergen) for something dangerous; our natural defenses react by secreting chemicals which attack it, leading to classic allergy symptoms.
Build up your immune system by getting plenty of sleep, eating healthily and staying hydrated. Avoid outdoor activities when pollen counts are high; install air filters in both your home and vehicle; shower at night to wash away pollen and allergens from skin, hair and clothing; over-the-counter allergy medication may provide relief, while in more serious cases allergy testing and/or desensitization therapy could provide much-needed relief – either of which are administered regularly by your doctor in their office over months or years.
Fall
Everyone knows spring allergies hit hardest, but for those suffering seasonal allergy symptoms they may start showing themselves as early as autumn. That’s because many allergens that cause spring/summer allergy attacks such as trees, grasses and weeds continue pollinating through autumn, triggering reactions such as sneezing, watery eyes and runny noses.
Fall is when ragweed blooms and becomes one of the primary triggers for seasonal allergies, emitting lightweight pollen grains that travel thousands of miles on the wind. Ragweed grows across America in both urban and rural settings, typically beginning pollination around Labor Day and lasting through November. Other plants which may exacerbate allergies during this season include burning bush, cocklebur, mulberry sheath-weed sagebrush and tumbleweeds.
Mold spores can also pose a problem during the fall season. Humid conditions in summer and early fall often allow mold spores to thrive on wet soil or fallen leaves, and when people spend more time indoors using heating systems this can stir up dust mites, leading to sneezing fits, runny noses and itchy eyes for indoor dwellers.
Winter
Winter allergies often present with symptoms similar to colds; therefore, it’s essential that they can be distinguished. One key distinction is timing: Allergies often begin around the same time every year and last as long as their allergen remains present; on the other hand, colds are typically caused by viral infections which usually clear themselves within 48-72 hours after beginning treatment.
Winter allergies are caused by allergens like dust mites, mold spores, pet dander and mildew that build up indoors over time – these triggers become particularly noticeable during winter, since more time is spent indoors during this season than any other.
Hay fever, like spring and summer allergies, can cause itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing and itchy rashes. It occurs when trees, grasses and weeds produce pollen during their reproductive phase of growth, producing pollen that causes symptoms. Your body’s immune system responds by secreting histamines and other chemicals into your bloodstream, leading to allergy symptoms such as sneezing, itchy eyes and runny or stuffy noses. People living with allergies may also suffer from skin conditions like hives or allergic dermatitis. Allergy tests and skin evaluations can help identify which allergens are triggering these reactions, so that avoidance can reduce symptoms. Allergies may be difficult to diagnose, so working with a qualified allergist for diagnosis and management strategies may be invaluable.
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