Symptoms Of Spring Allergies:
Spring allergy symptoms are typical of respiratory allergies, these include:
- Sinus Congestion
- Coughing
- Itchy or Watery Eyes
Determining what is causing your symptoms is the first step towards relief, in the case of spring allergies there are several things you can do to help ease your symptoms. The seasonal allergy season can be difficult to navigate.
Allergies Can Be Mistaken For Viral Infections Like Covid
With the winter cold, flu, and the peak of the Omicron coronavirus variant just behind us, we may still be thinking about viruses when our allergy symptoms begin to flare.
Dr. Samuel Friedlander, an allergist and clinical assistant professor of medicine at Case Western Reserve University, said that allergies can be difficult to distinguish from a viral infection, including COVID-19, due to the overlap in symptoms such as sinus congestion, headache, sneezing, and cough.
This highlights the importance of testing for allergies to help diagnose and manage seasonal allergies, said Friedlander. When we test with noninvasive skin tests, we often are surprised by finding answers we didnt expect. And this helps me treat my patients better.
Friedlander noted there are some symptoms that would suggest COVID-19 rather than an allergy, such as fever or lost sense of taste or smell.
In addition, it can be helpful to be aware of what your consistent seasonal triggers are, he said. If you are having symptoms concurrently with those triggers, then it could point to an allergy diagnosis.
When Does Spring Allergy Season Start
Spring allergy season can vary based on where you live in the country, but it typically starts and peaks in the following months:
- Tree pollen is up first. March is usually one of the earlier months for spring allergies .
- Grasses release their pollen in later spring. As the grass pollen amps up, the combination with tree pollen, which is still in full force, can make for a very itchy April.
- May: Grasses and trees will continue to release pollen during this month, but hopefully youll have your treatment plan figured out by this point.
If youre finding your spring allergies seem to be getting worse or lasting longer, researchers have several explanations for this. According to the AAFA, the last winter freeze in many cities is starting to happen earlier each year. Because of this, the warmer temperatures associated with spring are starting sooner. This gives plants longer to grow, extending the spring allergy season.1
Climate change may also be driving a more intense allergy season. On average, spring in the United States is 2 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than it used to be. This extends the growing season, meaning that plants can produce more pollen for longer periods of time. It also means plants that once couldnt survive in certain areas may now thrive there, exposing people to new allergens.1
Read Also: What Allergy Medicine Works Fastest
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.
Monitor Daily Pollen Counts
On days with a high pollen count, its especially important for you to follow all the above steps. Tune into the morning weather or sign up for an allergy alert app like the one from pollen.com for daily notifications.
If you try all the following and are still experiencing symptoms, ask your doctor if allergy shots might be right for you. If you are in the Glendale, La Cañada Flintridge or the surrounding Foothill communities, and you are looking for exceptional care from a community hospital that cares, schedule your appointment by calling .
Recommended Reading: Claritind
When To Seek Medical Help For Allergies
If you’ve tried everything to keep your allergies under control but you cant find relief from your symptoms, speak to your doctor.
While symptoms such as a runny nose or sneezing are not dangerous, if they become severe enough that you find it difficult to breathe, you should seek emergency medical attention immediately.
What Home Remedies Can You Use For Seasonal Allergies In Kids
Bathing to remove pollen, keeping windows closed during peak pollen times, and using over-the-counter medications and remedies may help your child manage their seasonal allergies. In addition, older kids may find relief from a saline sinus rinse.
Keep in mind that not all OTC medications and natural remedies are appropriate for kids of all ages. Be sure to read labels carefully and talk to your childs doctor before trying an OTC medication or remedy.
Don’t Miss: Claritiin
What Cities Are Considered The Worst For Spring Allergies
If youre wondering whether the place you call home is situated in a particularly pollen-heavy area, youre in luck. Every year, the AAFA ranks the Most Challenging Places to Live With Allergies.3 The 2022 cities topping the list for worst spring allergies include:
To determine which cities are given this honor, the AAFA looks at 12 months of data for three different factors: seasonal pollen scores, over-the-counter sinus and allergy medication sales data, and the number of allergy and immunology specialists. The organization acknowledges there are some limitations to the data, but its still a handy way to see if youve really got it worse in your city.
How To Cope Throughout
While spring allergies can make you feel absolutely miserable, it doesnt always have to be that way. From bedding to purification to personal care, weve got your spring and summer covered.
Don’t forget to work with your doctor. The right medication is essential when it comes to managing symptoms. They help to keep you focused on the brighter side of life, even when those pollen counts get high.
Browse through our wide range of products, and discover how we can help you today.
Wishing you the best of health.
Allergy elimination is about eliminating the allergy-causing substance in your home the best you can. Once you do this, you may be able to eliminate the need for all the medications and doctor visits.
Don’t Miss: Claritin Medication
Pollen Allergy Testing And Treatment
The good news is that you dont have to suffer through tree pollen season. Be sure to contact an allergy and asthma specialist for a formal allergy evaluation, preferably before the season begins or very early in the season. You may already know that you have a seasonal allergy, but do not know just which pollen you are allergic to. Allergists can determine the specific pollens that are causing your problems and can tell you when that pollen is expected to be in the air.
Your allergist will take a detailed history of any reactions youve had, then if indicated, he or she can test for allergies to identify the culprit allergen and determine the best course of treatment.
The most common method of testing for pollen allergies is a simple skin prick test. At our office, we use a very fine stylet that is lightly pressed against the skin. The stylet introduces individual pollens and other allergens to the immune system in your skin. If youre allergic or sensitive to a particular allergen, a small pink raised bump will appear within minutes where the skin prick test was placed.
For some people, a blood test may be the best option to determine your allergic sensitivity. A small amount of your blood is taken and tested to check for antibodies that respond to specific allergens. Depending on your allergy test results, we can offer guidance about the best and most direct course of action for your symptoms.
Spring Is Here Which Means Spring Allergies Have Also Arrived Heres How To Stop Them Before They Start
Sure, spring is beautiful with trees and flowers in full bloom, but if you suffer from allergies to trees, grass pollens and ragweed, you know those green leaves and flowers trigger one of the most miserable times of the year for you. But it doesnt have to.
Heres how to stop spring allergies in their tracks:
Read Also: Is Claritin Good For Allergies
Tree And Grass Pollen
Many types of vegetation use pollen for fertilization. The larger, waxy type of pollen found on colorful flowers and disseminated by bees doesn’t typically cause a lot of symptoms for people with allergies. The smaller, powdery pollen grains on many trees, grasses, and weeds, however, tends to be light and easily blown by the wind from one plant to another .6,7
Tree pollen is one of the first major allergy triggers to appear during the United States spring allergy season. Cedar trees can release pollen as early as December or January in the South, while most other regions don’t experience an increase in this allergen until February with the onset of alder and maple tree pollen. Pollen from trees serves as one of the most common allergy triggers starting in March, and reaches its peak in April when pine, mulberry, and willow trees release their pollen.
While trees are usually the main source of spring allergies, they are not the only one. In certain locations, weeds and grasses can trigger allergy symptoms as early as March if spring comes early. By May, the pollen count of grasses such as rye and Bermuda typically begins to increase, but its not until June that grass pollen will typically reach its peak.
Understand The Priming Effect
Trees often pick up on the change of season earlier than we do. That means they can start releasing small amounts of pollen before wed ever even suspect that spring is in the air. Once youve been exposed to this early pollen, your immune system is primed to react to all types of outdoor allergens. This means, come springtime, you may suffer from heightened allergy symptoms for a longer period of time.
Also Check: Allergen Sensitization
Why Do I Have Allergies
Pollen, from trees, grass or weeds, is released into the air to fertilize other plants. But sometimes they get into your nose and nasal passage.
If youre allergic, your immune system kicks in thinking the pollen is a hazard to your body. This is why your body sends out histamines into your blood thats when your nose starts running and your eyes get watery as your body tries to expel what it thinks is a danger.
READ MORE: Can pesticides trigger allergic reactions? They did in a rare Canadian case
Its a misfiring of your immune system by turning something innocuous into something it wants to fight off drastically, Waserman said.
Its genetic, too. If one or both of your parents has an allergy, youll probably end up with similar symptoms too.
Symptoms can start as early as childhood, in teenage years or even as an adult.
If youre not sure, simply get referred to an allergist for testing. You will be screened for common allergens, such as various types of pollens, cat and dog fur, dust mites, mould spores and more.
What Are Seasonal Allergies
Seasonal allergies are reactions to things that are only around during certain times of the year. These are also known as pollen allergies or hay fever.
Pollen is a powdery substance that plants release to reproduce. When a person has a pollen allergy, their body reacts to the pollen as a foreign substance, then attacks it.
Seasonal allergies affect a person only during certain seasons. For instance:
- Tree pollen: If your child has an allergy to tree pollen, they will have allergy symptoms in the spring.
- Grass pollen: If they have a grass pollen allergy, their symptoms will occur in the summer.
- Weeds and mold: Weed pollen and mold spore allergies crop up in the fall.
Some people have allergies to all kinds of pollen. If your child has tree, grass, weed, and mold allergies, seasonal allergies may bother them for much of the year.
Don’t Miss: Can Allergy Cause Nausea
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.
Tips To Keep Pollen At Bay
Show Sources
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology: âAllergic Conditions: Outdoor Allergens ” âPollen Q& A â and âAllergic Rhinitis.â
American Academy of Ophthalmology: âHealth Tips for Spring Allergies.â
American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery: âAllergies and Hay Fever.â
CDC.
You May Like: Penicillin Side Effects Itching
What Are Treatment Options For Allergies
Limiting exposure to allergens is the best way to avoid allergy symptoms, although this requires understanding your allergy triggers. Closing your windows, removing pollen from your hair, skin, and clothes before coming into the house, etc. may help you reduce the amount of allergens you are exposed to on a daily basis.
Medications may also help in treating allergies:
- Antihistamines: Reduce symptoms by inhibiting the release of mast cell histamines, and may come in nasal or ocular spray form.
- Intranasal corticosteroid nasal sprays : Used for mild to severe symptoms higher doses may require a prescription.
- Combination therapy : Combines the benefits of both drugs and is used to treat moderate to severe allergic rhinitis.
- Adrenaline : Commonly used in auto-injector form to treat life-threatening severe allergic responses in the event of a first-aid emergency .
- Allergen immunotherapy : Long-term treatment method that alters how the immune system reacts to allergens and involves injecting or administering sublingual tablets, sprays, or drops with regular, progressively increasing doses of allergen extracts.
When Does Allergies Season Start These Are The Hay Fever Symptoms You Might Be Experiencing This Month
The best way to get on top of hay fever symptoms is to catch them early
Hay fever symptoms are set to be a topic on everyones lips as the weather begins to hot up in the lead-up to summer. For many, the warmer months bring a much-needed dose of sunshine but for others, climbing temperatures also signal something else: allergies season.
Characterized by key symptoms we may mistake for a cold, or even Covid-19 in recent times, those who suffer from allergies are set to experience the full brunt of hay fever in the weeks to come.
But given enough time, our experts say, you can fight back against allergies with some of the best hay fever natural remedies or over-the-counter medication. Its just about finding out about hay fever symptoms, like puffy eyes, as allergies season starts and getting prepared.
Read Also: Phenylephrine Hcl Allergy
Allergies In A Warming World
Big picture, we know that climate change will bring widespread environmental change to the Northeast, from coastal flooding to tick activity. Allergy season is unfortunately another item on that list.
Recent studies build the case that rising temperatures will cause tree pollen seasons that start earlier and last longer. And not only that, they will be more intense, Little said.
“The total pollen counts, in terms of the density of pollen that is released over the course of the season, will go up,” he said. “Higher carbon-dioxide concentrations lead to more plant growth, and more plant growth means more vigorous plants and what plants like to do is to reproduce by releasing pollen and expanding.”
Efforts to limit greenhouse gas emissions will be crucial for the future of New England’s allergy seasons, Little said.
For now, it may be as good a time as any to stock up on tissues and eye drops.
When To Visit A Pharmacist For Hay Fever
When it comes to allergies, a pharmacist should be your first point of call as soon as you begin to develop hay fever symptoms. This is unless you have a condition that would exacerbate the situation, like sensitive skin or eczema, and potentially cause other issues which you would need a prescription for.
Whether its for the first time ever or just the first time this year, a pharmacist will be able to offer the best help and advice, along with letting you know about any possible new treatments.
Symptoms can be mild and treated with over-the-counter medicines or they can be severe, causing a lack of sleep and disruption to general life, Dajani warns. Grass pollen, the main trigger of pollen allergies in the summer months causes the most severe symptoms.
If you think you have hay fever, visit your local pharmacy for advice and over-the-counter medication.
Read Also: Claritin Allergic Reaction
Its Tempting But Keep Your Windows Closed
When the weather is finally warm outside, it is tempting to turn off the heat, open windows, and let the fresh air in. This fresh breeze might feel nice, but it will also bring the pollen inside your home. Keeping your windows and doors closed will create a safe retreat during the peak pollen season.
Another place to control pollen is in your car. Keep your car windows closed and the AC on re-circulation to help keep pollen out of the car.
