Pollen is falling from trees, or grass is in full bloom; there’s no second-guessing that allergy season has arrived. Sniff, sniff! Can you keep seasonal allergy symptoms at bay?
Spring, summer, and fall are times of change to buy a new wardrobe, plant a garden, or get out of the house to enjoy the lovely weather. Many of us love this time of the year, with colourful flowers blooming, chirping birds sounds, and fresh-cut green grass sight and smell. But, for others, it is not so pleasant, as it brings seasonal allergies, with stuffy noses and itchy eyes.
As the seasons’ change, particularly in the spring and fall, seasonal allergies are in full swing and restraint the beauty of the sun shining and flowers blooming. People suffer from allergies year-round, often bringing them into their allergist with itchy, teary, swollen eyes, sniffles and stuffy noses. Seasonal allergies may be very exhausting, hindering your everyday activities, and often causing congestion, drowsiness, and fatigue, because of the high pollen counts in the air. You may buy Nasonex Nasal Spray online to relieve your allergy symptoms.
What are Seasonal allergies?
An allergy is an overreaction of your immune system to specific substances foreign to your body. In other words, allergic reactions, or allergies, are caused when allergens like pollen or dust enter the body. First, the immune system classifies it as a foreign substance. Then, it aims to remove it from your body, causing the IgA allergy-specific antibodies, immunoglobulin, to overact. This reaction produces signs of itching, inflammation of your skin and eyes, and often breathing and respiratory issues. Unfortunately, there is no cure for allergies. However, you can manage allergies with prevention and treatment.
Seasonal allergies are at their worst when pollen levels and dust are the highest. During the spring, plants begin the yearly process of growing and reproducing. This involves the release of pollen. Trees, grasses, and pollen produce plants throughout their active cycles. Not everyone is allergic to pollen. Some people may be allergic to pet dander or mould spores. Being allergic to one allergen may actually trigger an allergic response to other allergens.
Symptoms of Seasonal Allergies
Seasonal allergy symptoms may vary depending on the specific allergen that triggers the immune system and the severity of allergies. It’s not always easy to determine whether the symptoms are due to a seasonal allergy or another condition, but common symptoms may include the following:
- Weakened immune system
- Trouble sleeping
- Loss of concentration
- Runny or itchy nose
- Sore throat
- Ear infections
- Nasal congestion
- Impaired sense of smell and taste
- A general feeling of being unwell
- Eye irritation
- Facial pressure or pain
- Muscle aches and pains
Types of Allergies
There are several different types of allergies:
Often airborne, these allergies are widespread, resulting in inflammation in the respiratory system, runny nose, weepy or itchy eyes, sneezing, and dark circles around your eyes. Asthma-like symptoms, such as shortness of breath or wheezing, are also common.
These are also common and more often overlooked. Symptoms include diarrhoea, nausea, stomach cramps, bloating, and fatigue. If your environmental allergies last year-round, you may have a food allergy. Many food allergies are common food sensitivities that may be resolved.
Contact allergies include poison ivy, poison oak, and bee stings. Symptoms include rashes, itching and bumps, and blisters. If you experience a severe contact allergy, contact emergency services immediately.
An allergic reaction to any substance your body produces, such as an allergy to mucus or tears.
5 Facts about Seasonal Allergies
1. Antihistamines are your best friend
During allergy season, make antihistamines your best friend. As the name sounds, antihistamines block the histamine before it gets active, causing an allergic reaction. Research indicates that it is more effective to prevent allergy symptoms than trying to eradicate them.
Histamine is a chemical released to protect the immune system. Still, histamines are present when you have already had an allergic reaction, with symptoms like nasal congestion, itching and sneezing. So, allergists recommend taking antihistamines before you know when your allergy symptoms appear.
While antihistamines help with sneezing and itchiness symptoms, they usually don’t help with nasal stuffiness. So instead, relieve the nasal stuffiness with a nasal steroid spray and antihistamines.
2. Allergy shots are one of many long-term solutions
Allergy shots or immunotherapy are believed to be the only successful long-term solution, but sublingual tablets were introduced. These tablets dissolve under your tongue; take once-a-day before and during the allergy season. The pills work on desensitising the body to specific allergens by introducing them into the body in tiny amounts. Over time, the immune system builds a tolerance to protect the body from these allergens, thus preventing symptoms. Taking tablets is now more convenient than going to a doctor for weekly or monthly allergy shots. However, allergy shots are still a good option as well.
3. Rain Washes Away Pollen
Temperature, time of day, humidity, and rain may affect yellow, sneezy stuff levels. If you have allergies, the ideal time to go outdoors is right after heavy rains. Pollen counts are lowest on chilly, soggy days. They tend to jump to the peak around 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on hot, dry, and windy days. If you want to go outdoors, wait until the late afternoon, as the pollen counts start to fall.
4. Allergies change as we age
We can develop new allergies at any point in our lives. Suppose you are allergic to a particular plant or other allergens. That allergic tendency can pop up repeatedly (even if you’ve received allergy shots). Even if you’ve never suffered from allergies before, don’t celebrate too soon. There’s always a chance you’ll be allergic to something new.
5. Seasonal allergies and asthma have a lot in common
The same allergens that trigger your seasonal allergies can also cause asthma symptoms. For example, allergies and allergic asthma signs include wheezing, coughing, and difficulty breathing.
If you have seasonal allergies and asthma, you should talk with your doctor about treatment options. Over-the-counter medications can help alleviate symptoms quickly, but they don’t control asthma symptoms.
An allergy occurs when your immune system sees a substance as harmful and overreacts. If you’ve lived with seasonal allergies for years, you’ve probably resigned to sniffling and sneezing your way through spring. However, finding some relief becomes easier once you understand how allergies work.