Why are spring allergies so common and popular? It is a time of seasonal change, and the harvesting process also takes place during this period. Spring is known for humidity and temperature changes, followed by high tree pollen counts. All this leads to asthma or allergy triggers in people. Let’s get a complete grasp of the topic below.
While the onset of spring delights people with the pleasant climate around, it also results in the time of allergens release. It is when grasses and trees begin to release pollen into the air. As people inhale this pollen, it triggers allergies in them.
What are the Types of Spring Allergies?
Early summer is known as spring, and many people suffer from allergies from February to the end of March. Spring Allergies are evident in two forms such as:
- Seasonal: Its symptoms are visible during summer, fall, or spring, mainly due to mold spores or pollen.
- Perennial: Symptoms of this allergy might trigger during any time of the year, and the reasons might include pet dander, mold, cockroaches, and dust mites.
Spring allergies are also known as hay fever or allergic rhinitis.
5 Causes of Spring Allergies
Allergy refers to the way your immune system reacts to harmful elements in the atmosphere, known as allergens. If someone is allergic, their bodies produce antibodies, which can travel toward the cells, releasing histamine and other chemicals.
- Histamine is the leading cause of eye or nose swelling as it restricts the allergens from entering the body. It also results in sneezing to eliminate allergens through the nasal passage. Here are a few causes of spring allergies:
- Pollen: Few plants use insects to spread pollen, which also spreads in the environment through wind. Many people are prone to allergic reactions when they inhale pollen from wind released by several trees or plants.
- Trees: Many trees are known to release pollen during early spring.
- Grass: Several grasses also release pollen during late spring.
- Weed: Release of weed pollen at its peak in late summertime.
Common types of trees causing spring allergies are aspen, alder, beechwood, birch, and ash. Various grasses leading to allergic reactions are Bermuda, Johnson, Orchard, Kentucky, and Rye. Weather changes might also affect the pollen released by plants.
8 Symptoms of Spring Allergies
Common symptoms to identify spring allergies are:
- Watery and red eyes
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Itchy nose, ears, eyes and mouth
- Clogged nose due to congestion
- Puffiness in eyes
- Postnasal drip if there’s a mucus sensation dripping from the throat’s backside.
- Hives
How to Protect Yourself from the Spring Allergies?
There are several ways to ease down the symptoms of spring allergies and embrace the onset of spring. Let’s delve into them:
- Avoid Stepping Outdoors: From mid-morning to afternoon, pollen count is at its highest. If you are planning to move out, use a scarf to cover your mouth or cover it using an allergen mask.
- Keep Doors and Windows Closed: During spring, keep the windows shut while you are at home or traveling in a car to avoid getting pollen into your place. Refrain from using electric fans inside your home, as they can kick pollen and rotate it in the air. Keep the car windows pulled up, as the outside air you breathe contains allergens. When you get back, shower your hair and change clothes to freshen up yourself.
- Choose House Cleaning Products Wisely: People who are sensitive to spring allergies must pick products with caution when cleaning houses. It is imperative to ensure that the area is hygienic and properly ventilated. Do not mix disinfectants, deodorizers, or bleaches with ammonia products in any bucket or for cleaning surfaces.
- Carpet Cleaning: Your home carpets can keep pollens stuck inside them and cause allergic reactions. So, it is better to remain out of the house when cleaning if you have such allergy issues.
- Avoid exposure to Fertilizers: Do not step outside if pesticides or fertilizers are applied to shrubs, trees, lawns, or the neighborhood. If you have a garden in your backyard, seek professional help cleaning the hedges, leaves, and branches. The garbage collected may contain mold or other particles that might act as an asthma trigger.
- Consult Healthcare Provider: Your medical expert can guide you with various therapies or medications that can prove effective for environmental controls. Numerous medications, including OTC drugs and prescribed medicines, are available for managing spring allergy symptoms.
General Medications Suitable for Spring Allergies:
- Antihistamines are proven effective in controlling allergic symptoms like runny nose, itchy eyes, or sneezing. They are available in nasal spray, pill, or liquid forms.
- Nasal Corticosteroids are nasal sprays that effectively control inflammation. Experts consider them suitable medications to treat allergic rhinitis.
- Decongestants are also effective for spring allergies, helping shrink the nasal path to minimize stuffiness. They are available as drops, pills, liquids, or nasal sprays. Long-term use might lead to side effects.
- There are tablets with Leukotriene receptors, which control specific types of chemicals causing allergic reactions.
- Eye drops are also helpful in managing spring allergies to relieve itchiness, swelling, or redness.
- Nasal sprays are another option for soothing the nasal passage, removing thick mucus, and controlling postnasal drip symptoms. They also help prevent allergic reactions.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is helpful in desensitizing people who are prone to allergies in the long term. Allergy Shots and Sublingual Tablets are two primary types of immunotherapy used for treating spring allergies.
Allergy shots are given for 3-5 years to help individuals develop resistance to allergies. Sublingual tablets are effective for specific types of allergies, and people must keep them under the tongue until they dissolve. If experts advise, you can start taking these pills even before the onset of spring.
Home Remedies:
- Steam Inhalation is a soothing way of opening your nasal passage and providing complete relief. Inhaling steam also helps keep the flu or cold away.
- Saline Rinse: A saline rinse can provide complete relief from congestion or a stuffy nose by thinning additional mucus through the nasal passage.
- Cold or Warm Compress: This therapy relieves itchy eyes or the sinuses. It can only offer temporary relief from allergic reactions.
- Medical experts diagnose a spring allergy in several ways to decide on a suitable treatment. For example, they might suggest a skin prick test to check for allergens embedded in a person’s skin.
- An intradermal test is an advanced test in which doctors inject a small amount of allergen into the skin to determine whether there’s a reaction. Taking a blood sample and having it tested by a technician is another way to diagnose allergens, considering the surge in antibodies produced.
‘Be Preventive Against Spring Allergies this Season!’
Spring allergies and their effects might vary depending on individual skin sensitivity, home or work environment, and family history. It is recommended to see a dermatologist if such allergic symptoms are hampering your quality of life or health.
Excessive headache, chronic sinus infection, consistent cough, or difficulty breathing are concerning situations that encourage you to see a specialist and discuss various available treatments. According to the CDC, spring allergies are common and known as ‘hay fever.’ Many people adopt natural remedies for managing them or take medications to ease the symptoms.
Multiple treatments are also available for spring allergies. If the symptoms seem unmanageable, it is ideal to see a doctor immediately.
Drop your queries or doubts below, and we will revert to it soon. Stay Safe this Spring!
