A pollen allergy can go by several names including spring allergies and seasonal allergies. For many people, pollen allergies cause some bothersome symptoms such as itchy eyes, watery eyes, sneezing, and runny nose. There are different types of pollen with different sources. Trees, flowers, and even grasses produce different pollen. A lot of sufferers are more sensitive to one type of pollen but are often affected less severely by other types of pollen. Typically, pollen allergies occur during the warmer months of spring, summer, and fall. During the winter months, most pollen-producing plants are dormant. During the spring, allergies flare as trees and spring-blooming flowers produce pollen. Grasses tend to start pollinating during mid-spring to early summer months, and weeds are dominant pollinators during the fall months.
Developing a Pollen Allergy
It is not uncommon to go years without any pollen allergy symptoms. In fact, many current allergy sufferers may have gone most of their lives without any allergy symptoms. The simplest things can trigger pollen allergies. Environmental changes are the most common. Moving to different geographic locations can lead to the development of a pollen allergy. The body was acclimated to specific pollen in one location and then exposed to different types in another location.
Increased travel can be another cause for developing a pollen allergy, especially in adulthood. The environmental factor again plays a role. A person’s body may not react to pollen from the home environment, but when exposed to pollen in other locations, temporary symptoms may occur. In this instance, pollen allergy symptoms often subside after the individual has returned to his or her regular environment.
Seasonal Pollen Allergies
Despite the common misconception, there is no actual definitive “allergy season.” Most people are actually referring to the spring season when all the plants are waking up from their winter rest. The almost sudden increase in pollen affects a lot of people. Unfortunately, allergy symptoms can affect sufferers just as often during the summer and fall seasons as well. In warmer areas, it is likely to suffer from pollen allergies nearly year-round because warmer climate regions may not have cold enough climates to cause pollinating plants to be dormant.
Spring seasonal pollen allergies are likely to begin around the end of March into early April. Trees tend to start pollinating first, followed closely by spring-blooming flowers. As the springtime begins to transition into summer around May, there will be an overlap between spring pollen and summer pollen. Summer pollen allergies will develop in response to increased pollination of many grasses including oat and wheat. This pollen allergy season often comes to a close around August with ragweed pollen, spreading into the fall season with weed pollen. Fall pollen allergies tend to come to a close between October and November.
Handling Pollen Allergies
Before trying any one method for handling a pollen allergy, it is often helpful for a person to get allergy testing done to identify exactly which types of pollen he or she might be sensitive to. After the culprit(s) are identified, steps can be taken to reduce issues.
Avoidance is not a consideration with pollen allergies. A person would literally have to live in a sealed bubble in order to avoid pollen completely. Instead, there are ways to reduce exposure and pollen allergy symptoms. Before heading outdoors, check the pollen count in the area. Try to avoid long periods outside when pollen counts are particularly high such as early mornings, during breezy days, or within a day of rain. If sufferers cannot avoid going outdoors during high pollen count days, they should take extra steps to avoid circulating pollen indoors such as removing shoes outside and showering after coming inside.
Medications, whether over-the-counter or prescription, may be helpful in reducing or eliminating pollen allergy symptoms. It is best to begin taking allergy medications a few weeks before plants begin pollinating for best results. Oral medications are commonly used by sufferers with pollen allergies. Eye drops are also available for people with pollen allergies that largely affect their eyes.