Seasonal Allergies: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Do you find yourself reaching for tissues every time the seasons change? Is weak immunity getting you down? As the temperatures fluctuate, your body's defences can take a hit, making you more susceptible to seasonal allergies and several illnesses. Seasonal allergies are on the rise, turning beautiful blooms into miserable moments. 

So, let's deep dive and explore the causes, symptoms, and solutions to help you breathe easily again.

What Are Seasonal Allergies?

Seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever or seasonal allergic rhinitis, happen when pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds triggers an overreaction in the immune system. When pollen particles enter the body, the immune system mistakenly identifies them as threats and releases chemicals like histamine, leading to allergy symptoms. The timing of symptoms depends on the type of pollen allergy: ^{1, 2, 3}

• Tree pollen (February-June)
• Grass pollen (May-August)
• Weed pollen (July-October)

Seasonal allergies can develop at any age, but they're rare in children under 2. Most people develop them by age 20. Even if you've never had allergies before, you can still develop them later in life.

Symptoms Of Seasonal Allergies

Symptoms of seasonal allergies can vary from person to person. It includes: ^{1, 2, 4}

• Stuffy nose or runny nose, usually with clear or pale-colored mucus.
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Red, watery eyes
• Itchy nose, mouth, ears and eyes
• Scratchy or sore throat
• Nasal congestion
• Postnasal drip (mucus runs from the back of your nose down your throat)
• shortness of breath
• Swelling around the eyes

Please note, if you have asthma, pollen can make it worse, resulting in allergic asthma. So, take accurate precautions, especially when the season changes.

Causes of Seasonal Allergies

Common seasonal allergy triggers include: ⁵ 

• Tree pollen in early spring
• Grass pollen in late spring and summer
• Ragweed pollen in fall
• Year-round culprits like dust mites and cockroach droppings
• Pet dander, which can worsen in winter when homes are sealed up
• Mold and fungi spores, which can be seasonal or a year-round issue

How Are Seasonal Allergies Diagnosed?

To accurately diagnose seasonal allergies, healthcare providers usually follow a combination of approaches:

Skin Tests

The doctor pricks the surface of the skin, usually on the upper arm, and injects a tiny amount of suspected allergens. If an allergy exists, the skin will react by becoming inflamed, red and swollen, which may cause temporary discomfort. Skin tests give fast results—usually within half an hour or 24 to 48 hours. ^{6, 7}

Blood Tests

Blood is drawn and sent to a lab. The disadvantage is that it may take several days for the results to come back. However, more allergens can be tested with blood tests than with skin tests, Blood tests are used to identify seasonal allergies as well as perennial allergies, plus allergies to food, medications, and insect bites or stings. If you have chronic skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema, blood tests are recommended instead of skin tests to prevent further irritation. ^{6, 7}

How Can You Treat Seasonal Allergies?

While there is no permanent cure for seasonal allergies, we have curated some ways to treat and manage them. Let us look at them briefly.

Avoid Exposure To Allergy Triggers

It’s important to reduce your exposure towards all those things that may put you at risk of developing any seasonal allergy. How can you do this? Follow the points below- ^{2, 4, 8} 

• Stay inside on windy, dry days. Go out after rain, when the air is cleaner.
• Don't mow the lawn or do gardening that stirs up allergens.
• Shower and change clothes after being outside to wash off pollen.
• Don't hang clothes outside to dry - pollen can stick to them.
• Wear a mask when doing outside chores to filter out pollen.

Maintain Indoor Air Quality

Our home is host to several types of allergens, and, indeed, we can’t stop them from entering it. So, we need to ensure that the air quality inside our homes is good. Consider the following suggestions to improve air quality indoors. ⁸

• Use air conditioning at home and in your car.
• Use high-efficiency filters in your heating and cooling system and maintain them regularly.
• Keep your home dry with a dehumidifier.
• Use a HEPA air purifier in your bedroom.
• Vacuum often with a HEPA-filter vacuum to clean floors.

Pollen Counts Are High? Extra Steps To Consider!

When there is a lot of pollen in the air, it’s common for seasonal allergy signs and symptoms to develop. In such a situation, you must follow the following points: ⁸

• Stay ahead of your allergies by tracking local pollen forecasts and counts through TV, radio, newspaper, or online sources. 
• If high pollen levels are predicted, start taking your allergy medications ahead of time. Always consult a doctor before taking any medicine.
• Keep doors and windows closed during high pollen counts, especially at night
• Limit outdoor activities during the early morning when pollen counts peak.

Rinse Your Sinuses

Another important aspect of seasonal allergies. People with sinuses often get disturbed by seasonal allergies. Nasal irrigation is a simple and effective way to relieve congestion. By rinsing your nasal passages with saline solution, you can directly flush out mucus and allergens, providing quick relief. ^{4, 8}

Try Some Medicines (After Consultation, We Say!)

Don’t become your own doctor and start treating yourself! Before taking any medicine for a simple cold, we always recommend consulting a physician. However, below is a list of some medications that may help with seasonal allergies- ^{8, 9}

Oral antihistamines: Relieve sneezing, itching, runny nose, and watery eyes. Examples include cetirizine (Zyrtec), fexofenadine (Allegra), and loratadine (Claritin).

Corticosteroid nasal sprays: Improve nasal symptoms. Examples include fluticasone (Flonase), budesonide (Rhinocort), and triamcinolone (Nasacort). Consult your healthcare provider about long-term use.

Cromolyn sodium nasal spray: Blocks immune system agents that cause symptoms. Works best when started before allergen exposure. Considered safe, but needs frequent use (4-6 times daily).

Oral decongestants: Provide temporary relief from nasal stuffiness. Examples include pseudoephedrine (Sudafed). Some medications combine antihistamines with decongestants, such as Zyrtec-D and Allegra-D. Consult your healthcare provider to determine the best treatment for your symptoms

Conclusion

By understanding what triggers seasonal allergies and taking proactive steps to minimise exposure, you can breathe easier and enjoy the changing seasons. But first, it's essential to know what you're allergic to. Consider taking the Asthma/Rhinitis Allergy Panel to diagnose specific allergies and tailor your treatment plan. From tracking pollen forecasts to using HEPA filters and practising nasal irrigation, there are many ways to manage seasonal allergies. With the right diagnosis and strategies, you can reduce symptoms and live life to the fullest without the sniffles and sneezes.

To explore other suitable health packages, visit: https://www.lifecell.in/product/health-check

FAQs

Q1- How To Relieve Seasonal Allergies?

Start with over-the-counter antihistamines, saline nasal rinses, and avoiding peak pollen exposure. For persistent symptoms, consult an allergist who may recommend appropriate medicines or immunotherapy. ⁴

Q2- When Do Seasonal Allergies Start?

Seasonal allergies typically begin in early spring (tree pollen), peak in summer (grass pollen), and continue into fall (weed pollen). However, the timeline varies depending on climate and geography. ²

Q3- Why Have I Developed Seasonal Allergies?

It’s possible to develop allergies at any age due to changes in immune function or new environmental exposures. 

Q4- What Are The Symptoms Of Bad Seasonal Allergies?

Severe seasonal allergies may cause intense nasal congestion, constant sneezing, persistent sinus pressure, headaches, and extreme fatigue. In some cases, they may exacerbate asthma or lead to sinus infections. ⁷