You may have seasonal allergies if you sneeze and cough at specific times of the year. However, allergies are not something you should have to deal with regularly. Seasonal allergies, often known as allergic rhinitis or hay fever, impact millions. The symptoms of hay fever may be as simple as sneezing during specific times of the year. On the other hand, seasonal allergies can produce a runny nose, congestion headaches, watery eyes, and other symptoms for months for some people. Continue reading to learn more about the symptoms of seasonal allergies, triggers, and peak allergy seasons.

What symptoms indicate seasonal allergies?

Seasonal allergy symptoms and indications include:

Watery, red and itchy eyes
Under-eye circles
Itchy throat, mouth, and nose
A stuffy or runny nose
Sinus drainage
Inability to smell
Headaches
Sneezing
A dry cough
Exhaustion
Sore or scratchy throat

What Factors Contribute to Seasonal Allergies?

An allergy develops when your immune system misidentifies a typically innocuous substance as a potentially hazardous intruder. As a result, this causes the immune system to generate antibodies that are always on the lookout for that specific allergen. When exposed to allergens, your antibodies can cause a range of immune system chemicals, such as histamine, to be released, resulting in allergy symptoms.

Like other forms of allergies, seasonal allergies emerge when your immune system identifies and reacts to a foreign substances that your body believes are dangerous. And the symptoms you’re experiencing, including runny nose, stuffy nose, and sneezing, are your immune system fighting the intruder.

Pollen Allergens

Pollen is also a reason for seasonal allergies and comes from weeds, grasses, and trees as part of their reproductive cycle. Additionally, pollen is a light and dry powder substance, traveling considerable distances on a windy day. A high pollen count suggests you are likely to have severe allergy symptoms that day. It is common for weather forecasts to include a pollen count for your location.

Mold Allergens

Mold generally appears as white, black, or green splotches on surfaces that are damp. You will typically see mold in basements and bathrooms, although it may also be found outside in the dirt, fallen damp leaves, and plants. Mold spores, like pollen, are conveyed via the air. On the other hand, mold moves quickly on both dry and wet days, unlike specific allergies.

Dust Mite Allergens

Dust mites are tiny mites that thrive in humid and warm conditions. Skin droppings from dust mites can cause allergies. In addition, dust mites are fond of beds, carpets, furniture, and pets. As a result, if you have allergies to dust mites, you may experience allergy symptoms all year.

Dander from animals

Contrary to popular belief, pet fur alone does not cause allergies. Instead, allergies are frequently triggered by the animal’s dander, which is skin flakes shed by the animal. This is because dander contains proteins that might trigger an allergic reaction.

Cockroach Allergens

Many people may get allergic reactions if they breathe in the air around cockroach droppings or dead cockroaches.

When Does Allergy Season Begin?

There is, in fact, more than one allergy season. Depending on what you’re allergic to, there are periods throughout the year when allergy symptoms may be worse. The time of year and where you live determine when your allergy season will begin. If you have indoor allergies, you may experience symptoms all year. However, outdoor allergens are worse during the Spring, Summer, and Fall.

Seasonal allergies are less prevalent in the winter, but allergic rhinitis can occur at any time of year. In addition, different plants release pollen at different periods of the year. As a result, you may suffer hay fever in more than one season, depending on your allergy triggers and where you reside. Indoor allergens, such as pet dander and mold, may also cause a reaction.

Seasonally Related triggers

While the phrase “seasonal allergies” often refers to grass, pollen, and mold, there is another set of seasonal triggers. While the length and intensity of an allergy season vary by region, the following things might also impact how severe your symptoms are:

Pollen from trees, grasses, and ragweed thrives during chilly nights and warm days.
Pollen levels are higher in the morning.
Molds develop fast in hot, humid conditions.
Rain wipes pollen away, but pollen levels can skyrocket after heavy rain.
On a windless day, airborne allergens are grounded.
Pollen counts rise when the weather is windy and warm.
Moving to a different environment to avoid allergies is rarely successful because allergens are everywhere.

Additional Factors That Could Influence Seasonal Allergies

Cigarette smoking (campfires in summer, fireplaces in winter)
Insect stings and bites (usually in spring and summer)
Chlorine in swimming pools, both indoor and outdoor
Candy (Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter) ingredients
Wreaths and pine trees (Thanksgiving to Christmas)

The most common hay fever triggers change from season to season.

Spring Allergies

Trees cause the majority of springtime seasonal allergies. Birch is one of the most prevalent offenders in northern latitudes, where its pollen causes hay fever in many people. In North America, other allergenic trees include:

Cedar
Alder
Chestnut horse
Willow
Poplar

Summer Allergies

Hay fever gets its name from the hay-cutting season, which occurs throughout the summer months. However, grasses such as ryegrass and timothy grass, as well as some weeds, are the true causes of summertime seasonal allergies. Grass is the most prevalent cause of hay fever, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

Fall Allergies

Ragweed season is in the fall. Ambrosia is the genus name for ragweed, encompassing more than 40 species worldwide. The majority of them are in temperate regions of North and South America. They are noxious weeds that are difficult to eradicate. Their pollen is a widespread allergen, and ragweed allergy symptoms can be very severe. Other plants that cause autumn allergies include:

Nettles
Mugworts
Sorrels,
Fatty hens
Plantains
The burning bush
Cocklebur
Lamb’s-quarters
Pigweed
Sagebrush
Tumbleweed
Thistle of Russia

Winter

Most outdoor allergies are dormant by winter. As a result, cold weather provides comfort to many persons suffering from hay fever. However, it also implies that people are spending more time indoors. You may also respond to indoor allergens like mold, pet dander, dust mites, or cockroaches if you have seasonal allergies.

Indoor allergies are frequently simpler to eliminate than outside pollen. Below are some things that may help you eliminate common allergies in your home:

Wash your bedding at least once a week in hot water.
Use allergen-proof coverings on your beds and pillows.
Remove all carpets and upholstered furnishings.
Take stuffed animals out of your children’s bedrooms.
Repair water leaks and clean up water damage, allowing mold and vermin to thrive.
Clean moldy surfaces and other locations where mold may grow, such as humidifiers, swamp coolers, air conditioners, and freezers.
Eliminate excess moisture in your home using a dehumidifier.
To help keep the air clean, use high-quality furnace filters.

Thanks For Reading!

We hope this article was helpful in providing you with information on seasonal allergies, triggers, and how to help reduce your symptoms. Here at Filti, we are committed to providing the best quality commercial filters and home air filters to improve air quality. For more information on Filti, our filtration products, or to place an order, check out our products!