What to Do About Seasonal Allergies?

Some individuals experience sneezing, coughing, and nasal congestion with the arrival of spring, and they may even experience throat and eye itching. These symptoms may occur due to seasonal allergies or sensitivities.

What is an Allergy?

An allergy occurs when your body's immune system reacts excessively to something called an allergen. An allergen is a foreign substance that is not typically harmful to most people, such as pollen or pet dander. However, when you have an allergy, your immune system treats it as a microbe or virus to fight against.

During an allergy, your body produces a protein called an antibody to combat the allergen, leading to symptoms such as sneezing, itching, runny nose, and shortness of breath. These symptoms are usually mild, but allergies can sometimes cause a serious reaction called anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening.

When Do Allergies Occur?

Seasonal allergies, which occur at similar times each year, are usually triggered by tree pollen, grasses, and weeds. Most trees release pollen in the spring, followed by grasses in late spring and early summer, and weeds in late summer and early fall.

Sometimes, seasonal allergies overlap, especially when trees release their pollen earlier or when a rainy spring leads to increased plant and mold growth. So, you may experience a prolonged allergy season depending on where you live, what plants grow nearby, and what triggers your allergies.

Symptoms of Allergies

Depending on the allergen and how it enters the body, individuals may experience various symptoms. Allergic reactions can involve many parts of the body simultaneously.

Nose, Eyes, Sinuses, and Throat: When allergens enter the body, histamine secretion causes increased production of nasal mucus, leading to swelling and inflammation. This can result in nasal congestion, itching, and sneezing. The eyes may start watering, and individuals may experience a sore throat.

Lungs and Chest: Asthma can develop during an allergic reaction. When an allergen is inhaled, the airways become swollen, making breathing difficult.

Stomach and Intestines: Foods that commonly trigger allergies include peanuts, seafood, dairy, and eggs. Cow's milk allergy in infants may lead to eczema, asthma, colic, and upset stomach. Some people may have difficulty digesting lactose (milk sugar), leading to stomach discomfort. This is known as lactose intolerance and should not be confused with an allergy.

Skin: Skin problems that can occur due to allergies include atopic dermatitis (eczema) and hives.

Risk Factors for Allergies

The likelihood of developing allergies may increase during childhood, or if you have asthma or eczema, as well as if you have a family history of allergies or are pregnant.

Allergy Symptoms

Regardless of what you're allergic to, you may experience symptoms such as sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, redness, itching, and watering of the eyes, itching of the skin, chest tightness, coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing, hoarseness, redness, and swelling.

Treatment of Allergies

Examples of over-the-counter antihistamine medications can help relieve nasal and eye congestion, sneezing, and itching, but they have short-term effects. However, using probiotic medications such as KidiLact® for children and LactoCare® for adults and BBcare® can help control seasonal allergies for a longer period.

References

https://www.allergy.org.au/patients/about-allergy/what-is-allergy

https://www.webmd.com/allergies/allergy-symptoms