Allergy season is (still) here

Seasonal allergies, also called hay fever, are allergies that occur at a specific time of year. Like other types of allergies, seasonal ones develop when the body’s immune system overreacts to something in the environment. Most seasonal allergies are caused by pollinating plants, usually grass, trees and weeds.

“From spring to fall, I see everything from red, swollen eyes to breathing difficulties. Seasonal allergies can disrupt sleep and the ability to concentrate,” says the allergist Mervat Nassef, MDassociate professor of pediatrics at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.

“You don’t have to suffer, but you have to find the treatment that works for you and your symptoms. Getting the right treatment means you can enjoy flowering trees, not hide from them.

Nassef says controlling allergies is especially important in school-aged children. “Allergy seasons coincide with the start and end of the school year, when children adjust to new classes and take important exams. Controlling their allergies allows them to function at their best during these critical times.

The exact start, duration, severity and end of allergy season vary depending on weather conditions.

“If we have a warm winter, like we did this year, the season can start up to two weeks earlier. In fact, some trees started flowering in the last week of February,” says Nassef. “If we have a hot, humid spring, we can expect high pollen levels leading to a bad allergy season.”

We spoke to Nassef to help us understand what it means for our health and how to treat our runny nose, itchy eyes, etc.

How seasonal allergies occur

Seasonal allergies, like other types of allergies, develop when the body’s immune system overreacts to something in the environment, usually in the spring, summer, or fall when certain plants are pollinating.

It is an exaggerated response to an allergen that triggers an inflammatory reaction, leading to symptoms of itchy eyes, sneezing, runny nose, stuffiness, etc.

Signs and Symptoms of Seasonal Allergies

• Itchy nose
• Runny nose
• Congestion (AKA stuffy nose)
• To sneeze
• tearing
• Itchy red eyes
• Swollen eyelids
• Sore throat
• Swollen mouth
• Fatigue
• Sleep disorder

Allergy season

In many parts of the United States, tree pollination begins early in the year, followed by grass pollination in the summer and weeds in the fall.

Allergies vary by geography. In tropical climates, for example, grass can pollinate for much of the year and create an extended allergy season.

Who Gets Seasonal Allergies

Seasonal allergies can develop at any age, from children to adults. There’s no way to know in advance if you’ll catch them, but seasonal allergies often run in families and are common in patients with asthma or eczema.

How to Find the Best Seasonal Allergy Treatment

Fortunately for allergy sufferers, many safe and effective treatments are available. Some medications are used to relieve symptoms while others are used to prevent them. It is important to match treatment to symptoms because different medications work better for some symptoms than others.

Talk to your doctor. Allergy treatment is specific to each patient and the cause of the allergy (ask for allergy testing if you don’t already know). Some people may be candidates for allergy shots or immunotherapy tablets.

Immunotherapy is the only treatment that can eliminate the allergy by modifying the immune response to allergens. Injection immunotherapy (injections against allergies) has been around for a hundred years. A new form of immunotherapy uses tablets containing the allergen; the tablets are placed under the tongue and cause a decrease in responsiveness over time. This type of sublingual immunotherapy is available for grass and ragweed allergies.

When to try over-the-counter allergy medications

Try over-the-counter allergy medications if you notice symptoms. Each class of drugs has different effects. For itching and sneezing, non-sedating second-generation antihistamines are best. Caution: Some older antihistamines can cause drowsiness and should be avoided. Oral decongestants can cause heart palpitations. For nasal congestion and postnasal drip, nasal steroids are most effective. Read the label. Talk to the pharmacist. Talk to your doctor if you are unsure.

When to See a Doctor for Allergies

If you are unsure if your symptoms are due to allergies, see an allergist/immunologist for evaluation and testing, especially if symptoms are affecting your sleep, work, or schoolwork.

If you’re sure your symptoms are due to seasonal allergies, try over-the-counter medications. If they don’t control your symptoms well or you develop side effects, see an allergist/immunologist to discuss other treatment options.

How to know if your allergy treatment is working as well as it can

If your treatment is working, you should see an improvement in your symptoms. If you continue to have symptoms despite medication, see an allergist for further testing and advice.