Seasonal Allergies

Overview

An allergic response causing itchy, watery eyes, sneezing and other similar symptoms.

Allergic rhinitis occurs seasonally or year-round. Diagnosis involves history-taking, examination of the nasal passages and sometimes skin testing.

Symptoms include sneezing, runny nose and red, watery and itchy eyes.

Antihistamine medication can reduce symptoms.

Symptoms of seasonal allergies

Symptoms of seasonal allergies range from mild to severe. The most common include:

1.sneezing

2.runny or stuffy nose

3.watery and itchy eyes

4.itchy sinuses, throat, or ear canals

5.ear congestion

6.postnasal drainage

Less common symptoms include:

1.headache

2.shortness of breath

3.wheezing

4.coughing

Many people with hay fever also have asthma. If you have both hay fever and asthma, your seasonal allergens may trigger an asthma attack.

Causes of seasonal allergies

Hay fever happens when your immune system identifies an airborne substance that’s usually harmless as dangerous. It responds to that substance, or allergen, by releasing histamines and other chemicals into your bloodstream. Those chemicals produce the symptoms of an allergic reaction.

Common triggers of hay fever vary from one season to another.

Spring

Trees are responsible for most springtime seasonal allergies. Birch is one of the most common offenders in northern latitudes, where many people with hay fever react to its pollen. Other allergenic trees in North America include cedar, alder, horse chestnut, willow, and poplar.

Summer

Hay fever gets its name from hay-cutting season, which is traditionally in the summer months. But the real culprits of summertime seasonal allergies are grasses, such as ryegrass and timothy grass, as well as certain weeds. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, grasses are the most common trigger for people with hay fever.

Fall

Autumn is ragweed season. The genus name for ragweed is Ambrosia, and it includes more than 40 species worldwide. Most of them grow in temperate regions of North and South America. They’re invasive plants that are difficult to control. Their pollen is a very common allergen, and the symptoms of ragweed allergy can be especially severe.

Other plants that drop their pollen in the fall include nettles, mugworts, sorrels, fat hens, and plantains.

Winter

By winter, most outdoor allergens lie dormant. As a result, cold weather brings relief to many people with hay fever. But it also means that more folks are spending time indoors. If you’re prone to seasonal allergies, you may also react to indoor allergens, such as mold, pet dander, dust mites, or cockroaches.

Indoor allergens are often easier to remove from your environment than outdoor pollens. Here are a few tips for ridding your home of common allergens:

1.Wash your bedding in very hot water at least once a week.

2.Cover your bedding and pillows with allergen-proof covers.

3.Get rid of carpets and upholstered furniture.

4.Remove stuffed toys from your children’s bedrooms.

5.Fix water leaks and clean up water damage that can help mold and pests flourish.

6.Clean moldy surfaces and any places that mold may form, including humidifiers, swamp coolers, air conditioners, and refrigerators.

7.Use a dehumidifier to reduce excess moisture.

Diagnosing seasonal allergies

Hay fever is usually easier to diagnose than other allergies. If you have allergic symptoms that only occur at certain times of the year, it’s a sign that you have seasonal allergic rhinitis. Your doctor may also check your ears, nose, and throat to make a diagnosis.

Allergy testing usually isn’t necessary. Your treatment for allergic rhinitis will likely be the same, no matter what type of allergen you react to.

Treatment

Antihistamines can help relieve sneezing, itching, a stuffy or runny nose, and watery eyes. Examples of oral antihistamines include cetirizine (Zyrtec Allergy), fexofenadine (Allegra Allergy) and loratadine (Claritin, Alavert). Corticosteroid nasal sprays. These medications improve nasal symptoms.

Avoidance

Take steps to avoid seasonal allergens. For instance, use an air conditioner with a HEPA filter to cool your home in summer, rather than ceiling fans. Check your local weather network for pollen forecasts, and try to stay indoors when pollen counts are high. At times of year when your hay fever is active:

1.keep your windows shut

2.limit your time outdoors

3.consider wearing a dust mask when you’re outside, especially on windy days

It’s also important to avoid cigarette smoke, which can aggravate hay fever symptoms.

Medication

When you can’t avoid your allergens, other treatments are available, including:

1.over-the-counter decongestants and antihistamines, such as cetirizine (Zyrtec) and combination medications containing acetaminophen, diphenhydramine, and phenylephrine

2.prescription medications, such as steroid nasal sprays

In severe cases, your doctor may recommend allergy shots. They’re a type of immunotherapy that can help desensitize your immune system to allergens.

Some allergy medications may have unwanted side effects, such as drowsiness, dizziness, and confusion.

Alternative treatments

Few studies have been done on alternative treatments for hay fever. Some people believe the following alternative treatments may provide relief:

1.quercetin, a flavonoid that gives fruits and vegetables color

2.Lactobacillus acidophilus, the “friendly” bacteria found in yogurt

3.spirulina, a type of blue-green algae

4.vitamin C, which has some antihistamine properties

More research is needed to learn if these alternative treatments are effective.

The takeaway

The symptoms of seasonal allergies can be uncomfortable. If you suspect you have seasonal allergies, talk to your doctor. They can help diagnose the cause of your symptoms and prescribe a treatment plan. They will likely encourage you to take steps to avoid your allergy triggers. They may also recommend over-the-counter or prescription medications.

Home remedies

There is a variety of home remedies and preventative steps that a person can take to reduce their allergy symptoms. Examples of these include:

1.Keeping the windows closed when pollen counts are high.

2.Using special HEPA filters in central air conditioning vents might help filter out pollen from the air system.

3.Changing clothes each time after coming inside from the outdoors to limit pollen exposure.

4.Taking a bath or shower each night before going to bed to rid the skin and hair of pollen buildup.

5.Washing bedding in hot, soapy water at least once per week.

One example of a home remedy is eating local or raw honey. Some natural food experts maintain that eating local honey can help reduce pollen allergies in the same way that allergy shots do.

Other home remedies that may help fight a pollen allergy include:

1.Drinking herbal teas made with gingko, milk thistle, red clover, stinging nettles, or yarrow. These herbal preparations may have anti-inflammatory effects, which might reduce allergy symptoms.

2.Using nasal saline irrigation tools, such as Neti pots, to flush the nasal passages, using warm water and salt.

3.Taking herbal capsules, such as Allium cepa or Euphrasia.

The above home remedies are not scientifically proven to be effective, but anecdotal evidence suggests they may help some people.

Symptoms of seasonal allergies in adults

1.Runny nose and nasal stuffiness (congestion)

2.Watery, itchy, red eyes (allergic conjunctivitis)

3.Sneezing.

4.Cough.

5.Itchy nose, roof of mouth or throat.

6.Mucus that runs down the back of your throat (postnasal drip)

7.Swollen, bruised-appearing skin under the eyes (allergic shiners)

What happens to your body when you have seasonal allergies?

During a seasonal allergic reaction, an overly vigilant immune system orchestrates a complex mix of cellular and chemical interactions within the body. The most common outcome is this lovely combo: congestion and other allergy symptoms, like itchy, watery eyes and sneezing.

What are the 7 allergy symptoms?

Common symptoms include:

1.Sneezing and itchy, stuffy or runny nose(allergic rhinitis)

2.Itchy around the nose, mouth, eyes or roof of mouth.

3.Itchy, red, watery or swollen eyes (allergic conjunctivitis)

4.Facial swelling, swollen lips, tongue (angioedema)

5.Itchy skin.

6.Skin rashes (allergic contact dermatitis, eczema)

7.Hives.

8.Cough