Christina Ciaccio Md Msc
Christina Ciaccio, MD, MSc, provides compassionate care for children and adults with food and environmental allergies, allergic rhinitis, urticaria and angioedema, allergic rashes and asthma. She strongly believes in educating patients and their families, and involving them in the care process in a meaningful way.
What Can I Do About It
There is no cure for a ragweed pollen allergy. But there are ways to treat and manage it.
Track the pollen count for your area. The news media often reports the count for your area, especially when pollen is high. You also can get your areas pollen counts from the National Allergy Bureau.
Stay indoors in central air conditioning when the pollen count is high. Get a CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly® air filter for your air conditioner. If you do spend time outside, try to go out in the afternoons and evenings. Ragweed pollen peaks in mornings.
Prevent pollen from being tracked into your home. If you spend a lot of time outside during peak pollen time:
- Take your shoes off outside
- Dont wear your outside clothes to bed
- Cover your hair when outside or wash it at night
You might even consider moving to get away from ragweed. This will often help you feel better for a short time. But you can develop allergies to plants in your new location in a few years. And ragweed is found in every state except Alaska. A well-thought out treatment plan is a better way to live with your allergies.
Take anti-inflammatory or antihistamine medicines, and start treatment in the summer. Many over-the-counter medicines work well to control pollen allergy symptoms. They can also help eye, nose and asthma symptoms. Many newer antihistamines dont cause as much drowsiness as older ones.
With SLIT, you take a small dose of an allergen under your tongue. You also gradually become more sensitive.
Resource Center: Seasonal Allergies
Seasonal allergy seasons will vary based on where you live. In the Northeast of the United States the pollen seasons are as follows:
Tree Allergies: From March through MayGrass Allergies: From April Through OctoberWeed Allergies: From June Through October
Recent weather changes have caused some deviations in this schedule.
Preventing allergic reactions
There are many ways that you can adjust your daily life to better treat a seasonal allergy. Many of these are easy to build into your routine and structure. Allergies can be frustrating, but are treatable with medication and taking precautions to limit exposure to allergens.
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology recommends a number of tips to prevent allergic outbreaks during any allergy season.
1.) Make sure that you are doing a thorough seasonal cleaning of your home. Clean your entire home, even air conditioning vents. These collect dust and can grow mold spores while they are shut down which can trigger allergy symptoms. Adding air filters to these vents can help as well.
2.) The pollen count are usually highest in the morning, between 5 am and 10 am. If you can postpone doing outdoor events or activities until later in the day it will help to manage your symptoms.
3.) There are a number of ways to identify your local pollen count. You can do this daily to be aware of your likelihood of symptom outbreaks. You can also use This link to Pollen.com for your New Jersey-specific pollen count.
Don’t Miss: Is It Allergy Season In November
What Are The Most Common Spring And Summer Allergies
Pollen and molds. Pollen is one of the most common allergies in the U.S., caused by a fine, powdery, airborne pollen powder from trees, grass, flowers and weeds. People with pollen allergies only have symptoms when pollen is in the air. Mold allergies can be year-round, but are usually worse when the weather is damp and when the leaves decay in the fall.
How To Alleviate Your Allergy Symptoms
Leeds recommended wearing a brimmed hat and sunglasses to keep pollen out of your eyes and nose. A solid rinse can also work wonders after spending time outside.
Wash your hands and face after being outdoors for long periods of time, and consider changing your clothes, she said.
If you are particularly sensitive, limit your time outdoors on poor air-quality days. Consider washing your eyes and nose with a saline solution. You might also want to swap out your contact lenses for eyeglasses, as pollen can cling onto lenses and irritate the eye. Cleaning your lenses more frequently and opting for daily disposable contacts can also help relieve itchy, watery eyes.
Pollen can get trapped inside your home, so keep your windows shut and car doors closed. Vacuum often to get rid of allergens trapped in your carpet. If you have AC, set it to nonrecirculated air.
AAFA also recommends using a HEPA air filter to purify the air in your house. And pets can be pollen magnets, so giving them a good rub down is a good idea after a springtime walk, Gupta said.
You might also want to hold onto your face mask a bit longer. The masks we use to protect ourselves against the coronavirus act as a barrier against pollen, too. The better the mask, the better the protection.
N95 masks are ideal for this, but standard masks most people are using to protect one another from COVID-19 also work, Mendez said.
You May Like: Can Coconut Oil Help Dog Skin Allergies
Pollen Changes Will Vary By Region
We looked at 15 different pollen types, rather than treating all pollen the same as many past studies have.
Typically, pollination starts with leafy deciduous trees in late winter and spring. Alder, birch and oak are the three top deciduous trees for causing allergies, though there are others, like mulberry. Then grasses come out in the summer, followed by ragweed in late summer. In the Southeast, evergreen trees like mountain cedar and juniper start in January. In Texas, cedar fever is the equivalent of hay fever.
We found that in the Northeast, pollen seasons for a lot of allergenic trees will increasingly overlap as temperatures and carbon dioxide emissions rise. For example, it used to be that oak trees would release pollen first, and then birch would pollinate. Now we see more overlap of their pollen seasons.
In general, pollen season will change more in the north than in the south, because of larger temperature increases in northern areas.
Southeastern regions, including Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, can expect large grass and weed pollen increases in the future. The Pacific Northwest is likely to see peak pollen season a month earlier because of the early pollen season of alder.
How Can I Protect Myself And/or My Child From These Seasonal Allergies
During the pollen and mold season, we recommend jumping in the shower as soon as you get home every night to rinse the pollen off. Put cold, wet washcloths over your eyes and gently squeeze them to rinse the pollen out of your eyes. You may need to keep the air conditioner running through much of the season to keep the pollen out of the house. We never recommend staying indoors all summer, however! We encourage everyone to spend time outside playing as a family.
Don’t Miss: How To Get Rid Of Allergies To Animals
When Is Allergy Season Dont Be Silly
In the south, we tend to think of allergy season as the early spring when we see the heavy yellow pollen on our cars, well basically on everything. The crazy thing about this pollen is that very few people are allergic to this yellow pine pollen. It is the tree pollens we cant easily see that give us the most outdoor allergy problems. Of course there are indoor allergens that can be just as bad for some people. The indoor allergens are a problem year round, with most common ones being dust mites, pet dander, mold and mildew.
What can you do to help with indoor allergens? Well, for dust mites which typically are found in carpets, bedding and upholstered furniture you need to use High Efficiency Particulate Air filters. These help eliminate dust and other allergens, including pollen in your home. You should also dust with a damp cloth weekly, wash all bedding weekly and vacuum carpets often.
Pet dander is another common indoor allergen that bothers a lot of people. What can you do if you love cats and dogs but are allergic? Try to keep them off upholstered furniture and carpets and out of the bedroom because their dander, or dead skin flakes will remain in the carpet and furniture. Bathe pets frequently to wash away dander as well as any pollen that may be in their fur. You should also have your carpets steam cleaned often.
Common Symptoms Of Allergies Include:
- Rhinitis itchy, runny, or blocked nose
- Incessant sneezing
- Swelling of lips, eyes, hands, or face
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
Anti-allergic medication can treat most of these symptoms. Still, you must seek professional assistance early on to determine the cause of your allergies and the best treatment options available.
Rarely, an allergy can cause anaphylaxis, a body-wide severe allergic reaction that can be fatal. The onset of anaphylaxis is within minutes of exposure to an allergen, and if the correct medical aid is not administered swiftly, chances of survival can be bleak.
- Swelling of the throat and mouth
- Difficulty breathing wheezing, gasping for air
- Blue skin or lips
- Collapsing or losing consciousness
If you see someone showing clear signs of anaphylaxis, do not hesitate to properly administer the epi-pen they must have at hand and call for medical assistance.
Read Also: Are Allergies A Sign Of Pregnancy
Experts Say The Spring 2022 Allergy Season Will Be A Bad One Here’s What You Need To Know
Look no further than the oak trees outside your home or office and you’ll know what time of year is coming our way.
Pollen has already started to accumulate, leading to a noticeable uptick in sniffs and sneezes. Much more is expected to follow suit in the coming weeks.
“Unfortunately, we’re expecting a bad allergy season in Houston this year especially this coming April,” says Dr. Omar Ahmed, an ENT doctor at Houston Methodist.
It’s not just Houston. Dr. Ahmed notes that allergy seasons are getting longer and worse across the country.
In Houston, the primary reason this season is predicted to be so bad is the relatively mild winter we just experienced.
“With a warmer winter comes a longer growing season for trees and grasses that produce pollen, meaning a higher concentration of pollen for us to deal with as it begins to bloom,” says Dr. Ahmed. “Pollen counts actually started rising as early as January, but more is coming in April and people should be prepared for that.”
Dr. Ahmed’s advice for handling a bad allergy season? Plan ahead.
“One of the best ways to deal with allergy season is to get ahead of it taking steps to prevent allergy symptoms and knowing how to treat them if they do arise,” says Dr. Ahmed.
Start by checking local pollen counts on your weather app and considering how the day’s pollen levels might affect your outdoor plans.
Still, allergy symptoms may strike, and Dr. Ahmed’s preferred first step might surprise you.
When Is Allergy Season Over
Since there is no one answer to the question, when is allergy season?, its also hard to say when allergy season is over particularly when many people with allergies will experience them at different times from one another.
Many people experience year-round allergy symptoms, regardless of when certain allergy seasons start and end.ii, v Allergy symptoms can also be caused by common indoor allergens such as dust mites, pet dander, insects and mold which can be hard to avoid day-to-day.ii If you are only allergic to one type of pollen or mold, however, allergy season may be over for you when that allergen is no longer prevalent.
People who are allergic to indoor allergens have what is known as perennial allergic rhinitis, rather than seasonal allergic rhinitis. However, its possible to have both, and people with the perennial strain can experience more severe allergy symptoms during pollen seasons if they suffer from perennial and seasonal rhinitis.ii
To find out whats causing your allergy symptoms, consult your doctor or an allergist. They can advise you on how best to manage and treat your symptoms during the allergy season that applies to you.
You May Like: Can Allergies Cause Stiff Neck
What Makes Allergy Season Worse
While the timing and severity of allergy season varies across the country, the following climate factors can influence exposure and symptoms:
- Temperature. Mild winter temperatures can cause plants to pollinate earlier, and allergies may occur sooner in the spring. Tree pollen also thrives during cool nights and warm days, which is common in the spring and early summer.
- Rain. While rain can wash pollen away, it can also increase pollen counts, because rain bursts pollen particles, releasing smaller particles into the air at a much higher concentration. A rainy spring can also promote rapid plant growth and lead to an increase in mold, exacerbating allergy symptoms.
- Wind. Pollen counts increase on windy days because the particles are small, light, and dry. Wind keeps pollen particles airborne and can spread them over long distances. Hot, dry, and windy weather signals greater pollen and mold distribution, and therefore, worsened allergy symptoms.
Climate change has also increased the duration and severity of allergy seasons. “Tree pollen starts earlier, grass pollen extends further into the summertime, and we are seeing more severe ragweed seasons,” says Stadtmauer.
Dealing With Seasonal Allergies
Now that you are equipped with a seasonal calendar and knowledge of common allergens, you can prepare for allergy season 2022. Wearing a mask when outdoors will effectively prevent inhaling spores and pollen granules. You could also refer to a physician to know your actual allergies and take appropriate preventive measures. Take your allergies seriously, and you might do good on making 2022 your healthiest year yet!
I am Jeannette, the medical writing specialist here at Family Medicine Austin. I have over five years of experience working with a range of medical and healthcare across the U.S.
Complete The Form Below And Well Get Back To You Immediately.
You May Like: What Allergy Medicine Can You Take When Pregnant
What Treatment Is Available For Seasonal Allergy Symptoms
You can reduce seasonal allergy symptoms by following these tips:
- Stay indoors on high pollen count days.
- Take over-the-counter antihistamines such as Claritin, Zyrtec, or Allegra.
- Use a high efficiency particulate air purifier.
- Keep your windows closed and use air conditioning.
- Start taking allergy medicine before pollen season begins. Doing so will help block inflammation before it begins, and make your symptoms easier to control.
- Shower before going to bed to remove allergens.
- Wash your sheets and other bedding in hot, soapy water weekly.
- Wear a hat and sunglasses outdoors to limit pollen exposure.
- Change clothes when you come indoors.
- Take over-the-counter antihistamines such as loratadine , cetirizine , or fexofenadine .
- Use eye drops such as Opcon A or Patanol for eye symptoms. Consider nasal sprays such as fluticasone or azelastine for sneezing and nasal congestion symptoms.
For concerns about allergies, visit UPMC Urgent Care. For more severe allergy or asthma symptoms, you should see your doctor. A skin-prick test can pinpoint the cause of your seasonal allergies. Your doctor may prescribe immunotherapy shots to build up your immunity to your allergy triggers.
Longer Allergy Seasons Can Have Serious Consequences For People At Risk
Decades of global warming have allowed for an earlier start to allergy season, Bassett told Insider.
Normally, different types of trees produce pollen at different times of year. But a longer allergy season also means various species of plants are producing pollen around the same time, which could “multiply the misery” for people with allergies, according to the recent Nature study.
Higher temperatures also cause various plants to make more pollen, and a longer growing season means greater suffering for at risk groups with allergies.
Asthma, which can be triggered by pollen and pollutants, is more prevalent among racial minorities and families living below the poverty line. Discriminatory housing policies have historically relegated minorities to poorly-ventilated buildings in areas with high levels of pollution, increasing their risk of respiratory issues, especially during longer allergy seasons, according to Climate Central.
Read the original article on Insider
Don’t Miss: Can You Use Allergy Eye Drops With Contacts
The Cause Of Seasonal Allergies
The cause of seasonal allergies starts with your immune system. An allergy is an immune response to a substance that doesnt normally cause symptoms in people. Your immune system sees the allergen as a threat to your body. The immune system kicks into overdrive to destroy the threat during this process is when you being to show signs and symptoms of allergies.
Who Gets A Ragweed Allergy
Seventy-five percent of people who are allergic to pollen are also allergic to ragweed. If you have allergies to one type of pollen, you tend to develop allergies to other types of pollen as well.
If you have a ragweed allergy, you may also get symptoms when you eat these foods:
- Sunflower seeds
This is called oral allergy syndrome . OAS occurs because your immune system confuses ragweed pollen with certain foods. Common OAS symptoms include itchy mouth, throat, tongue or face.
You May Like: Do Seasonal Allergies Cause Weight Gain
How To Prepare For Allergy Season
There are many ways that you can get prepped for allergy season, and one of the best ways to start is by reducing your exposure to allergens like pollen.
Discover our simple tips on how to prepare for allergy season from checking pollen reports in your area to dressing for pollen-heavy weather.
If you are suffering from allergy symptoms, however, you can manage them with an effective over-the-counter allergy relief medicine, like FLONASE Allergy Relief Spray. FLONASE relieves your worst allergy symptoms by blocking six of the inflammatory substances produced by your body in response to allergens, while most allergy pills only block one.**
FLONASE relieves nasal congestion, as well as sneezing, itchy, watery eyes*, and runny nose for more complete allergy relief.**
Mechanism vs most over-the-counter allergy pills. FLONASE nasal sprays act on multiple inflammatory substances . The exact number and precise mechanism are unknown. * FLONASE SENSIMIST is indicated for itchy, watery eyes in adults and children 12 years of age and older. ** vs single-ingredient antihistamines which do not treat nasal congestion
For more information on allergy season, watch our quick video below.
i. Seasonal allergies. Nemours Kids Health. https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/seasonal-allergies.html. Accessed 17/07/20.
ii. Allergic Rhinitis. American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. https://acaai.org/allergies/types/hay-fever-rhinitis. Accessed 17/07/20.
