A lot of people have seasonal allergies, but mostly winter allergies are popular. It is logical, in winter we have cold weather and if you walk or run and you sweat then you stand there in the winter you can catch a cold very fast. Children like to play in the snow but it always ends up throwing snowballs at each other and getting cold.
We always say winter but in fact, fall allergies are worse.
Ragweed, a plant that grows wild practically everywhere but mainly on the East Coast and in the Midwest, is the main cause of fall allergies. Between August and November, ragweed blooms and produces pollen. Early to mid-September is when ragweed pollen concentrations are at their maximum in many parts of the nation. So, this can be referred to late summer allergies.
Ragweed is present in almost every state in the US, however, it tends to be more prevalent on the East Coast and in the Midwest. Additionally, mold from decaying leaves can cause the same symptoms in people with fall allergies.
The allergy seasons have virtually doubled in duration and intensity as a result of climate change, which many people are unaware of. Pollen production is increased by plants when carbon dioxide emissions are higher. Because of this, allergies feel much worse.
And because the first frost occurs later and for longer stretches of time, plants like ragweed have more opportunities to grow and emit allergens.
Due to the urban heat island effect, cities typically experience warmer temperatures than suburban or rural areas, he claimed. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, densely packed buildings and infrastructure absorb and hold onto the sun’s heat, increasing daytime temperatures in urban areas by up to seven degrees. This implies that if you live in a city, where the warmer temperatures allow ragweed to bloom for a longer period of time, your allergies may be very severe.
The difference between Seasonal and Perennial allergies
Specific allergens that trigger an allergic reaction continuously are referred to as perennial allergens. Examples of common ones include allergies to food, medicine, pet hair, or dander.
On the other hand, seasonal allergies often appear as the weather shifts and new environmental plant, mold, bug, or grass growth is possible. Locally, the season for pollen and mold can start as early as February and run all the way through November. The appropriate time to start talking to your doctor about preventative steps to stop allergy symptoms from triggering your immune system is right now. This can also help you avoid the dreaded recurrence of itchy, watery eyes, nasal congestion, and sneezing.
The signs of allergies
You can anticipate a number of symptoms whether you have seasonal or perennial allergies, including:
- wheeze or coughing
- Sneezing
- clogged nose
- congestion in the chest and nose
- Sore throat
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Itchy and watery eyes
How to handle perennial and seasonal allergies
You would be able to stay away from your allergens in an ideal world. But that’s challenging, and we don’t want you to stay home with a box of tissues and miss out on the lovely spring weather!
Simple practices can reduce the amount of pollen you bring into your house. On sunny, windy days when pollen counts are very high, keep your windows closed as much as you can, and take off your shoes at the door. When you get home, you might also want to take a shower and get dressed. Air filters can aid in indoor air purification and dander and mold removal. If you can, try to vacuum your house more frequently, ideally every day if you have pets. To prevent your pillow from getting pollen on it, wash your sheets frequently, and if at all possible, keep your pets out of your bedroom.
A crucial tool is also medicine. Fluticasone and triamcinolone, two over-the-counter intranasal steroids, can help reduce sniffling and congestion, and eye drops can wash away irritants and relieve symptoms including itchy, red, and watery eyes. Oral antihistamine tablets can also reduce symptoms, including itchiness, sneezing, and runny nose, but these tailored interventions are typically more beneficial than these.
If your everyday life is being affected by allergy symptoms, it might be time to visit the doctor. The best course of action, according to doctors, is to find a board-certified allergist who can perform allergy testing and evaluation, such as a skin prick exam or blood test, to determine what kinds of pollen cause your allergies. Immunotherapy, which provides longer-lasting relief and takes the form of allergy injections containing small amounts of the allergens you are allergic to, may be suggested by your doctor. Sublingual immunotherapy, a tablet or wafer that melts under your tongue and works against ragweed, dust mites, and northern pasture grasses like timothy, is another choice for people who don’t want to receive shots. Start using the wafer before allergy season arrives, and you can take it once daily.
Both types of immunotherapy increase the patient’s allergy tolerance, which lessens symptoms.
