Seasonal allergies (hay fever) affect both the nose and eyes, often manifesting with runny, itchy noses; sneezing; itchy or red eyes (conjunctivitis); as well as symptoms like itching or redness in them (conjunctivitis).
Hay fever occurs when your immune system misidentifies airborne substances that are typically harmless as harmful, prompting it to produce histamines that trigger symptoms in your body and produce symptoms as a response.
Spring
Springtime brings beautiful blooming flowers and trees, but for people suffering from seasonal allergies (allergic rhinitis), it can also lead to itchy eyes and runny noses. Seasonal allergies occur when your immune system misidentifies an airborne substance as harmful, leading it to release histamines and other chemicals which trigger symptoms like sneezing, congestion and runny eyes. Karen Ziemke, MD, an allergy and immunology specialist from Atlantic Health System explains that pollen from tree species such as Birch, Oak and Maple trees usually begins producing pollen between March through April before reaching its peak production by May.
At other times of year, allergy triggers include grass and weed pollen and mold spores. Their pollen grains can travel on the wind to your nose or eyes and cause additional problems such as asthma and wheezing for those susceptible to allergies.
To manage allergy symptoms effectively, keep track of the pollen count in your area and plan outdoor activities on days when it is lowest. Use an over-the-counter antihistamine at the first sign of itchy, watery eyes or sneezing; wear a pollen mask when doing lawnmowing or yard work, and rinse your eyes out afterwards using cool water or saline drops for eyes.
Summer
Summer allergies can make outdoor activities difficult. Their symptoms of itchy eyes and runny nose can interfere with sleep, diminishing overall quality of life. Allergies may even trigger sinus infections and asthma attacks in some people.
Allergies arise when one’s immune system reacts negatively to substances it shouldn’t, known as allergens, that should not be present in their bodies – pollen, molds and other plant or animal irritants such as pollen. When exposed, the immune system releases chemicals such as histamines which produce classic allergy symptoms including itchy eyes and nose, sneezing, sinus congestion and itchy throat and mouth – also increasing mucus production and leading to runny noses.
Seasonal allergies typically manifest themselves during spring, but they may develop throughout the year depending on a person’s location and triggers. Tree pollen is usually peak season for allergic reactions in areas where trees are prominent allergy triggers; other culprits for summer allergies could include ragweed, wall pellitory, English plantain or nettle plants.
Summer is also the season when many biting and stinging insects become active, such as bees and wasps that can produce painful stings for those allergic to their venom – some people with such allergies even experience severe reactions, including anaphylaxis.
Fall
Many people tend to associate allergies only with spring, but symptoms can also surface in autumn as trees, weeds and grasses release pollen into the air and irritate noses, eyes throats and ears.
Fall allergies typically manifest themselves around late August, lasting until the first frost. Ragweed pollen is the main trigger, although other plants producing pollen include elm trees, maple trees, sassafras trees, birch trees, cattails, and sedge grasses; mold spores also increase during warm periods, such as when leaves fall from trees, gardeners are working in soil and mulch or when it rains heavily.
At first it can be difficult to diagnose seasonal allergies in yourself or your children as the symptoms often mimic those of a cold. But taking allergy medication and seeing if symptoms improve can help determine if they’re due to allergy triggers. A doctor can then perform skin testing or blood analysis to confirm specific allergen sensitization before providing a personalized plan for treating or reducing them, such as over-the-counter or prescription medicines, allergy shots or immunotherapy shots as treatment plans.
Winter
Allergies are caused by overreacting of the immune system when exposed to normally harmless substances like trees, flowers, and grass. When exposed to allergens such as trees or flowers or grass pollen, our bodies produce chemicals such as histamines and leukotrienes which result in symptoms like runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing coughing or even hives; typically caused by seasonal pollen exposure.
Allergy symptoms often worsen during winter due to people spending more time indoors, increasing exposure to allergens like pet dander, mold spores and dust mites. Indoor air quality tends to decline significantly during the cold months as pollutants stay trapped within buildings.
Winter allergies have symptoms similar to colds and flu; however, they differ significantly in some key ways. Sore throats occur less frequently with allergies compared to common colds; coughing more so with colds than allergies; chest pain often associated with asthma rather than allergies.
If you or a loved one suffers from persistent or severe allergy symptoms, consulting an allergist is highly advised. An initial consultation typically includes reviewing symptoms and performing diagnostic tests to ascertain which allergens are triggering reactions; once this information has been compiled, treatment plans tailored specifically for each individual can then be developed. Contact our office now to arrange your initial appointment!
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