Seasonal Allergies

Springtime is thought of as a time of renewal. Images of the way new blooms and 
tender way in which animals interact with each other fill the popular consciousness, but 
for those who suffer from seasonal springtime allergies, the images they imagine are far 
less encouraging. New bloom can bring massive amounts of pollen, which can send any 
sensitive allergy sufferer into a coughing sneezing fit that can severely lower their 
quality of life. 

The following information will give you a little more insight into what it’s like having 
seasonal allergies, and some ways you can start to find relief.


1. Causes

First of all, seasonal allergies (Which are often spring allergies) get their name from 
allergens. These are like triggers that can cause all those allergy symptoms, like 
coughing, sneezing, runny nose, headaches, and even nausea. 

The allergens can be a little different depending on the season, but these are some of 
the most common ones, especially in the spring and summer months:


Pollen

The spring is a time of year that is cherished by many and romanticized in art, but the 
new plant bloom that appears during that time of year turns out to be one of the largest 
contributors to allergies. This happens because during this time, plants produce high 
quantities of pollen. 

Pollen is created by plants as a portion of their reproductive system. As the pollen flies 
through the air, it lands on other plants and fertilizes them. Unfortunately, some people 
have allergic reactions to such heavy concentrations of pollen. When allergic people 
they come in contact with the airborne pollen, their immune system interprets the 
presence of the pollen as an invasion. This can cause the body to launch an attack. It 
also releases hormones that trigger the effects you feel when you are sick. 

Pollen allergies can cause you to experience symptoms like: itchy eyes or throat, 
running nose, watery eyes, respiratory discomfort. There are different types of pollen 
that can cause you to experience symptoms of these types, but not everyone is allergic 
to all of the types of pollen. 





Insects
 
There are also insects that can trigger an immune reaction. Proteins that make up the 
exoskeleton of the insects like dust mites are recognized by the body as something that 
is associated with pathogens, so if you breathe or come in heavy contact with those 
types of insects or their fecal matter, then your histamine levels will skyrocket. 

Insect related allergies are fairly common, but many people don’t know that they’re 
experiencing them. The most common type of insect associated with this are dust mites 
that live in your home and feed on skin cells that collect around your bedding and 
heavily trafficked areas like carpet and upholstery.  

Insect allergies are known to cause many similar reactions to pollen allergies. These 
can include breathing issues and even skin irritations. It primarily comes down to the 
level of exposure.  


Mold 

Another very common cause of allergy is mold. Molds can grow nearly anywhere there 
is a buildup of moisture, so as the months become warmer, molds can develop in 
hidden places around your home. These molds create spores that can get into your 
lungs and cause irritation. In some cases, molds can even be quite dangerous and 
require special treatment to get rid of them. 

Some molds are relatively harmless, but most heavy amounts of mold can cause 
irritation in the throat and nasal area. Companies now offer mold test kits that allow you 
to see what types of mold are present in your home. 


2. Symptoms

Not sure if what you are experiencing is allergies? There are quite a few common signs 
and symptoms of an allergy attack, but some of them can also occur with other 
illnesses. It is more about a combination of symptoms, and not having signs of illnesses 
like the cold or flu, that might point toward allergies.

Some of the more common symptoms of seasonal and spring allergies include:








Watery eyes 
Itchy eyes
Runny nose
Stuffy nose
Sneezing
Ear problems
Itchy throat

These are the signs most people think of when they think of allergies. However, others 
might have additional symptoms, including:

Headaches
Dizziness
Nausea or vomiting


3. Diagnosis 

Allergies are often a mild condition to deal with, and definitely a common one. However, 
it is still a good idea to see a doctor if over-the-counter or natural meds aren’t working, 
or if you are just not sure if what you’re dealing with is actually from seasonal allergies. 

Important – If you have painful rashes or trouble breathing, seek medical attention right 
away.


How are Allergies Diagnosed?

To diagnose allergies, doctors will use a combination of methods. 

Considering your symptoms, and ruling out other causes, like the common cold. 

Taking blood samples for allergy tests.

Doing skin surface allergy tests. 

Many experts in this field of study recommend full disclosure of medical history. This is 
because they type of testing that will be used is generally chosen based on a number of 
factors including age, occupation, symptoms, level of exposure, and even hobbies. A 
certified doctor will be sure that the methods they employ are the most effective, and 
they’re not likely to be conducted in a random way. 

Once the doctor has learned what kinds of things could be causing your allergies, they 
will most likely give you a personalized plan that will help you to combat your allergy 
symptoms and maximize your opportunity to gain relief. 

4. Treatments

Now for treatments! The good news is that there are many options available to you if 
you suffer from seasonal allergies, both with over-the counter medications and 
prescribed, as well as some natural remedies if you want to go that route.

Here is a look at the main methods for treating allergies and allergy symptoms:


Over the Counter Medication 

If you are struggling with your allergy symptoms, there are many over-the-counter 
remedies that are available at any drug store. These can be a quick and affordable 
option, and a very effective one as well.

Medications of this type are quite popular because they can be gotten with relative 
ease, and they don’t require you to see any type of medical professional. Most of them 
are typically focused on blocking the histamine levels in your blood. This should help 
you to experience fewer of the symptoms associated with allergies.

However, be aware of some of the side effects, such as drowsiness, and make sure you 
take them safely and only as directed.


Prescribed Medication 

For those of you with more severe allergies, or whose bodies don’t react well to the 
over-the-counter options, you can also talk to your doctor about prescribed medications.

These can include pills taken by mouth, but they can also be shots designed to help 
suppress your immune responses. Many doctors will prescribe medicated nasal sprays 
that are aimed at limiting nasal congestion and irritation, and they tend to be relatively 
effective. 


Natural Remedies 

There are also some natural options available to you. A large portion of the remedies 
that are available are related to making changes to your environment and not as much 
about changes to your body. 

These changes can be things like replacing your air filters with hepa filters so that you 
can have a more efficient ability to filter pollen out of your air system of your home. 
People often find that keeping the windows closed during those times of year can help 
reduce the amount of pollen coming into the home, especially during later times in the 
day. 
It’s always a good idea to remove and wash your clothes as soon as you get home, 
then take a cleansing bath or shower to get the pollen off of your body so that it doesn’t 
spread all over your home. 

Vacuuming and washing bedding a few times a month can help reduce both pollen and 
the presence of mites and insects that could cause irritation, so it’s always a good move 
to keep your bedroom clean and free of debris.

Your diet can also play a role in your allergy symptoms and how you experience them. 
A lot of experts have made claims that eating local honey can help people to deal with 
their symptoms, but that kind of remedy doesn't work for everyone. There are a number 
of herbal teas that are capable of limiting the symptoms you experience, but 
effectiveness is still an issue in this area. These teas are known to include: milk thistle, 
red clover, yarrow and nettle.

Nasal irrigation is known to be effective, so they are nearly always recommended to 
people who have serious issues with their breathing and allergy symptoms. This is 
because nasal irrigation is a physical way to remove allergens from your nasal cavity. 
When the saline solution enters your nasal cavity, it can actually wash the pollens and 
other allergen right out of your breathing areas. This can help stop some allergy 
symptoms simply because the irritants are no longer in your sensitive breathing 
passages. 


4. How are Summer Allergies Different?

While you can absolutely experience seasonal allergies during ANY season, most 
people tend to get them the worst in the spring. This is due to the higher pollen counts 
and new plant and flower growth that occurs after the winter season is over.

However, you might get allergy symptoms more in the summertime, which is very 
similar, but slightly different than spring allergies. 

The first difference is in what actually causes allergy symptoms in the summer. It is 
typically from certain types of grasses that are prevalent in this season, such as:

Rye
Timothy
Orchard
Bermuda

And yes, allergens like mold and pollen can still affect you well into the summer. The 
allergy symptoms will also be very similar to what you have with spring allergies.
