Have you ever noticed how one day your seasonal allergies are under control and the next, your symptoms are back in full effect? Well, the weather may be to blame!
As the seasons and weather conditions change, so do your allergies. Thankfully, knowing what to expect during each season can make it easier to manage your seasonal allergies.
So, what exactly are allergies? Allergies are the result of an overly sensitive immune system. When a person has allergies, their immune system thinks that certain particles are harmful, when in reality they're not. Once it notices these allergens in the body, it alerts the immune system to fight it off, causing the sniffling, sneezing, and itching.
Seasonal allergies, in particular, are caused by certain allergens that are only present at certain times, or seasons, of the year. For example, spring is a very common time for people to experience seasonal allergies due to the abundance of tree pollen in the air.
Seasonal allergies have many of the same symptoms as the common cold. A runny nose, sneezing or congestion are types of nasal symptoms you may experience with seasonal allergies. The nasal congestion may even cause headaches. Additionally, coughing and itchy eyes or throat might occur, too.
If you're having trouble determining whether or not you're suffering from allergies, it may be time to talk to your doctor about your symptoms.
Depending on the time of year and the different weather conditions that come with each season, your seasonal allergies may become more difficult to manage.
With the influx of allergens from the blossoming plants, spring may be an allergy sufferer’s worst nightmare. As the temperatures start to warm up after the winter months, the trees and other plants start to grow their leaves and flowers again. This means pollen, and lots of it! Increased rainfall and humidity also make it a breeding ground for mold, another common allergen.
Warmer summer temperatures means even more pollen. This time, from grasses and weeds. With these plants growing throughout the long summer months, you may notice more severe allergy symptoms. If you live in a humid area, mold continues to thrive.
Ragweed pollen from the summer can still affect you in the early part of the fall, too, when the temperatures are still fairly warm. As the temperature starts to cool down, these weeds aren’t as bothersome to most people. But, mold does start to become a bigger problem. Additionally, if you suffer from allergic asthma, the lower temperatures may make it harder to breathe.
The cold winter months may mean less allergens from outdoor plants, but now that you are spending more time indoors, you may still experience allergy symptoms. Dust, mold and pet dander all lead to a winter filled with irritating allergy symptoms. These allergies are known as perennial allergies. Although they are more noticeable in the winter, they can cause symptoms all year long.
Different weather conditions play a part in how severe your allergy symptoms are. On a windy day, you may want to avoid going outside altogether, as many particles will be floating in the air. This makes it much easier for you to introduce them into your body through your eyes, nose and mouth. Once you've come into contact with the allergens, your allergy symptoms will go into full effect.
Another weather condition that may make your symptoms worse is the rain. While rain storms can help clear the air of pollen for a short period of time, they can also have a negative effect after everything dries. As raindrops come into contact with the tree and grass pollen, they break them into smaller particles. This makes it easier for the small bits of pollen to be moved through the air once dry. Not only that, but the moisture and humidity that comes from frequent rainfall can make conditions ideal for different molds to grow, adding a second culprit to the list.
Treatments for allergies are available and come in over-the-counter form or by prescription. There are even natural remedies you can use to get relief. With so many different options, it might take some trial and error before you find the ones that work best for your particular symptoms.
When the body comes into contact with a harmful foreign substance, histamines are what tell the body to start trying to get rid of it. Antihistamines work by stopping that chemical from being released, avoiding allergy symptoms altogether.
Decongestants target nasal symptoms. When you experience nasal congestion, it is because the blood vessels in your nose have become inflamed, making it hard to breathe. These medications work by reducing the inflammation of the blood vessels and opening up the nasal passages. It is critical to follow the directions closely when taking decongestants because if used too frequently, they can make symptoms worse.
If you suffer from allergy symptoms that affect your eyes, eye drops are an effective solution. Not only do they help keep your eyes adequately hydrated, but they also help relieve itchiness and redness.
Immunotherapy is a long term treatment option for allergy relief. It focuses on the source of the problem: the immune system. By purposely exposing your body to the allergens that cause the symptom, you desensitize it. Over time, your immune system won’t go into defense mode next time you come into contact with tree pollen, mold spores or pet dander. This process reduces the severity of the symptoms you experience.
Immunotherapy treatment typically comes in the form of allergy shots or drops. Not only are the constant shots painful, but it takes a lot of time out of your busy schedule to go to the doctor and to get the allergy shots. Let’s not even mention the price! Allergy drops are also difficult to take because of their taste. Some people find them upsetting to their stomachs, making them an equally unpleasant option.
Now, there is a new form of immunotherapy that can be applied directly to the skin — transdermal immunotherapy.
Transdermal Allergy Cream exposes your immune system to allergens a way that is natural. All you have to do is apply the cream to your forearm and wait for it to be absorbed into your skin, specifically the lymphatic system, where your immune system operates. Gradually, your immune system will become used to the triggering allergens and will no longer find it harmful.
At ShotFree Allergy, we make it easy to start immunotherapy from the comfort of your own home. Simply schedule an online appointment to talk to a provider to determine if our patent-pending Transdermal Allergy Cream is right for you. If you’re a good fit, you can have the prescription mailed right to your house.
Are you ready to take control of your seasonal allergies once and for all? Check out our Allergy Survival Guide. With helpful tips and tricks, you will find solutions and relief for all of your symptoms.