When do seasonal allergies peak. How can you manage allergy symptoms throughout the year. What are the most common allergens for each season. Discover the answers in this comprehensive guide.

Understanding the Seasonal Nature of Allergies

Seasonal allergies affect millions of people worldwide, with symptoms varying throughout the year. Understanding the timing and triggers of these allergies can help sufferers better manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. This comprehensive guide breaks down the allergens prevalent in each season, providing valuable insights for those affected by seasonal allergies.

Spring Allergies: The Awakening of Nature

As winter fades and nature awakens, spring brings a surge of allergens that can wreak havoc on allergy sufferers. The period from February to May is particularly challenging for many.

Tree Pollen: The Primary Spring Allergen

Tree pollen is the main culprit behind spring allergies. In Ohio, for instance, the tree pollen season typically occurs between February and May, though the exact timing can vary depending on weather conditions. Trees that commonly contribute to allergy symptoms in the northwest Ohio region include:

• Oak
• Cottonwood
• Birch
• Maple
• Sycamore
• Ash
• Elm
• Hickory
• Walnut
• Beech
• Mulberry

Are flowering plants responsible for spring allergies? Contrary to popular belief, most spring allergies are not caused by the showy, colorful flowers we associate with the season. Instead, the primary culprits are wind-pollinated plants (anemophilous plants) that release tiny, invisible pollen grains into the air. These microscopic particles easily enter our eyes, noses, and airways, triggering allergic reactions.

Mold Spores: A Secondary Spring Concern

While mold spores contribute to spring allergies, they tend to be more problematic during the fall season. However, individuals sensitive to mold may experience symptoms during spring, especially in damp or rainy conditions.

Summer Allergies: Grass Pollen Takes Center Stage

As spring transitions into summer, a new set of allergens emerges to challenge those with seasonal allergies. The period from May to June is particularly noteworthy for allergy sufferers.

Grass Pollen: The Summer Allergen

Late spring and early summer allergies primarily involve grass pollen. In the allergy community, Memorial Day is often considered a reminder of peak grass pollen season. Northern pasture grasses commonly grown in the Midwest include:

• June/Kentucky Blue
• Timothy
• Orchard
• Rye

These grasses typically begin pollinating in May, reach their peak towards the end of the month, and continue through the first few weeks of June. How long does the grass pollen season last? Generally, the most intense period lasts about 4-6 weeks, but this can vary depending on local climate conditions.

The July Hiatus: A Brief Respite

Interestingly, even allergies seem to take a vacation in July. The hot, dry weather characteristic of this month often provides a short reprieve for individuals allergic to multiple types of pollen (pan-pollen allergic patients). During this period, trees and grasses are no longer pollinating, and without rain, mold spore counts are often low. Additionally, fall plants have not yet begun their pollination process.

Fall Allergies: The Return of Allergy Season

As summer wanes and fall approaches, allergy sufferers often experience a resurgence of symptoms. The period from August to November brings its own set of challenges.

Weed Pollen: The Fall Allergen

The back-to-school season often marks the onset of weed pollination and the return of allergy symptoms. August 15 is affectionately referred to among allergists as the start of ragweed season. Common weed plants that produce pollen allergens in the fall include:

• Ragweed
• English plantain
• Lamb’s quarter
• Pigweed
• Russian thistle
• Yellow dock
• Sorrel
• Firebush
• Cocklebur
• Marsh elder

Mold Spores: A Major Fall Concern

Mold spore counts tend to rise dramatically in the fall with falling leaves and dying plants. Molds thrive in decomposing plant matter, and their spores easily become airborne. Activities such as gardening in mulch or dirt, farming, or hiking in the woods can increase exposure to mold spores during this time of year.

Why do mold allergies often worsen in the fall? The combination of falling temperatures, increased rainfall, and decaying vegetation creates ideal conditions for mold growth. As leaves fall and decompose, they provide an excellent substrate for mold, leading to higher spore concentrations in the air.

Winter Allergies: A Different Kind of Challenge

While winter is often associated with relief from pollen allergies, it brings its own set of challenges for some allergy sufferers. The period from December to January is particularly noteworthy.

Mold: The Winter Allergen

In the Midwest, the only “seasonal” allergen encountered during winter is mold. Mold grows best above freezing temperatures and in damp conditions, such as after rainfall. During warm periods of winter, mold spore counts can temporarily spike, which can be confusing for mold-allergic patients who may not expect an allergy flare during winter months.

Can mold allergies occur indoors during winter? Yes, indoor mold can be a significant problem during winter. As people spend more time indoors and keep windows closed, poor ventilation can lead to increased humidity levels, creating favorable conditions for indoor mold growth. Common indoor mold allergens include Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Alternaria species.

Managing Seasonal Allergies: Tips and Strategies

Coping with seasonal allergies requires a multi-faceted approach. Here are some strategies to help manage symptoms throughout the year:

1. Monitor pollen and mold counts: Stay informed about local allergen levels and plan outdoor activities accordingly.
2. Keep windows closed: During high pollen periods, keep windows closed to prevent allergens from entering your home.
3. Use air purifiers: HEPA air purifiers can help remove allergens from indoor air.
4. Practice good hygiene: Shower and change clothes after spending time outdoors to remove pollen from your body and hair.
5. Consider medications: Over-the-counter antihistamines, nasal corticosteroids, and eye drops can help manage symptoms.
6. Consult an allergist: A board-certified allergist can help identify specific allergens and develop a tailored treatment plan.

How effective is immunotherapy for seasonal allergies? Immunotherapy, either through allergy shots or sublingual tablets, can be highly effective for many people with seasonal allergies. This treatment involves gradually exposing the body to increasing amounts of allergens, helping to build tolerance over time. Studies have shown that immunotherapy can significantly reduce allergy symptoms and the need for medications in many patients.

The Importance of Professional Allergy Care

While this guide provides valuable information about seasonal allergies, it’s crucial to remember that each individual’s experience with allergies can be unique. For seasonal allergy sufferers, meeting with a board-certified allergist is essential to identify specific allergens and develop a targeted treatment plan.

The Role of Allergy Testing

Allergy testing helps pinpoint exact triggers, allowing for more focused attention on avoidance measures and treatment options. Allergists are specially trained physicians who can test patients for multiple different pollens and treat each patient uniquely for their specific allergies.

What types of allergy tests are available? The two main types of allergy tests are skin prick tests and blood tests. Skin prick tests involve placing a small amount of suspected allergens on the skin and then pricking the skin to allow the substance to enter. If a red, itchy bump appears, it indicates an allergy to that substance. Blood tests measure the amount of specific IgE antibodies in the blood, which can indicate allergies to particular substances.

Personalized Treatment Plans

Based on test results and symptom patterns, allergists can develop personalized treatment plans that may include a combination of avoidance strategies, medications, and potentially immunotherapy. This tailored approach can significantly improve quality of life for allergy sufferers.

Emerging Research and Future Directions in Allergy Treatment

The field of allergy research is continually evolving, with new treatments and management strategies on the horizon. Some promising areas of research include:

• Biologics: These targeted therapies can help manage severe allergic conditions by blocking specific components of the allergic response.
• Oral immunotherapy: This approach is being studied for food allergies but may have applications for environmental allergies as well.
• Probiotics and the microbiome: Research is exploring the role of gut bacteria in allergic diseases and potential probiotic treatments.
• Gene therapy: Future treatments may target the genetic basis of allergic diseases.

What promising new treatments are on the horizon for seasonal allergies? One exciting area of research involves the use of biologics, such as anti-IgE and anti-interleukin therapies, which have shown promise in managing severe allergic conditions. These treatments work by targeting specific components of the immune system involved in allergic reactions. While currently used primarily for severe asthma and certain skin conditions, ongoing research is exploring their potential for seasonal allergies.

Another area of interest is the development of more effective and convenient forms of immunotherapy. Researchers are working on oral and sublingual immunotherapy options that could make treatment more accessible and less invasive than traditional allergy shots.

As our understanding of the immune system and allergic mechanisms continues to grow, we can expect to see more targeted and effective treatments for seasonal allergies in the coming years. Staying informed about these developments and working closely with an allergist can help individuals better manage their seasonal allergies and improve their overall quality of life.

Seasonal Allergies: A Month-by-Month Guide

ENT & Allergy Specialists of Northwest Ohio

Seasonal allergies often get lumped into one category. However, each season has its own unique allergens. Follow the guide below to see which months you can expect to see a flare up of which allergens.

Spring: February – May

For spring allergy sufferers, the joys of warmer weather, birds chirping and flowers blooming come at a price. Bothersome nose and eye symptoms, breathing difficulties and skin allergies can set in as trees begin to pollinate. Tree pollen season occurs between February and May in Ohio. Season length and timing varies each year depending on weather. In 2019 for example, due to a long, harsh winter, trees did not begin pollinating until March. Because pollen is microscopic, we cannot see it in the air and often do not know when the season has started until symptoms begin.

A common myth regarding spring allergies is that because symptoms often start in correlation with blooming flowers, the flower pollens contribute to the problem. Our allergies are due to plants that spread pollen by wind (anemophilous plants), which is how the pollen enters our eyes, noses, mouths or skin. These plants are not showy or eye-catching because they do not need to be. The plants we typically notice are usually flowering plants that are pretty for the purpose of catching the attention of pollinators like bees and other insects. These plant pollens are spread from plant to plant by the insects that visit them (entomophilous plants). For this reason, most of our pollen exposure is due to pollen in the air outdoors, and thus our allergies are to wind-pollinated plants.

Many trees are primarily pollinated by wind, and tree pollens are the main springtime allergen. Mold spores also contribute to spring allergies but are most bothersome in the fall. Common trees in the northwest Ohio region that contribute to allergy symptoms include oak, cottonwood, birch, maple, sycamore, ash, elm, hickory, walnut, beech and mulberry. There is limited cross-reactivity between tree pollens. This means that while some trees are related and pollens are somewhat similar, many tree pollens have unique features that prevent the ability to create a single treatment for tree pollen allergy. Allergists are specially trained physicians who can test patients to multiple different tree pollens and treat each patient uniquely for their specific tree pollen allergies.

Summer: May – June

Late spring and early summer allergies mainly involve grass pollen. In the allergy world, we often think of Memorial Day as a reminder of peak grass pollen season. Northern pasture grasses like June/Kentucky Blue, Timothy, Orchard and Rye are commonly grown in the Midwest. They begin pollinating in May, peak toward the end of the month and carry through the first few weeks of June.

July Hiatus

Even allergies take a vacation. Hot, dry July weather tends to give a short reprieve for pan-pollen allergic patients (those allergic to tree, grass and weed pollens). Trees and grasses are no longer pollinating. Without rain, mold spore counts are often low and fall plants have not yet begun the pollination process.

Fall: August – November

Back-to-school time often marks the onset of weed pollination and resurgence of allergy symptoms. The term “hay fever” is often used to describe these symptoms and is derived from the “illness” that farmers used to obtain when harvesting hay in the fall. With the discovery of pollen allergies, it was recognized that fall symptoms were due to ragweed pollen rather than due to hay exposure. August 15 is endearingly referred to amongst allergists as the start of ragweed season. Other common weed plants that produce pollen allergens include English plantain, lamb’s quarter, pigweed, Russian thistle, yellow dock, sorrel, firebush, cocklebur and marsh elder.

Mold spore counts tend to rise dramatically in the fall with falling leaves and dying plants. Molds thrive in the decomposing plant matter and their spores float into the air. Gardening in mulch or dirt, farming or hiking in the woods can also increase exposures to mold spores this time of year.

Winter: December – January

While this article primarily focuses on pollen season, the only “seasonal” allergen we encounter during winter in the Midwest is mold. Mold grows best above freezing temperatures and when it is damp, such as after rainfall. During warm periods of winter, mold spore counts can temporarily spike, which can be confusing for mold allergic patients that may not be expecting an allergy flare during winter months.

For seasonal allergy sufferers, it is important to meet with a board-certified allergist to identify which allergens are most bothersome and to allow for more focused attention on avoidance measures and treatment options.

Your Month-by-Month Guide to Allergies

You may feel as though you have year-round allergies, and you may be right. See what’s most likely to be causing you to sneeze and wheeze as the months go by.

By Beth W. OrensteinMedically Reviewed by Pat F. Bass III, MD, MPH

Reviewed: December 21, 2012

Medically Reviewed

If you suffer from allergies for even part of the year, you may wonder when you’ll get a reprieve. People with spring allergies, fall allergies, or winter allergies might feel relief during their off seasons, but for those who experience allergy symptoms year-round — it’s a constant battle with allergens in the air. Here’s a look at which allergies plague people most — and when.

January

During the winter, there’s less pollen (if any) floating around, but cranking up the heat indoors can kick up house dust, a winter allergy trigger. If you’re allergic to dust, winter allergies can be just as bad as in the spring and fall. To reduce dust exposure, it helps to keep your home’s humidity below 55 percent, use a vacuum with a HEPA filter regularly, and encase pillows and mattresses with dust-mite-proof covers.

February

Mold and dust can cause year-round allergy symptoms, but even if dust and mold don’t bring on the sniffles for you, trees can cause your allergies to flare at this time of year, depending on where you live. “We can see tree pollen as early as February, even in the Northeast,” says Marjorie L. Slankard, MD, an associate attending physician and director of the Allergy Clinic at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center. In the United States, trees that commonly cause allergies include catalpa, elm, hickory, olive, pecan, sycamore, and walnut. Tree pollen can cause the same symptoms as most spring allergies — watery eyes, sneezing, and nasal congestion.

March

Tree pollen remains high on the list of allergens for March, which marks the beginning of spring. “If the trees, grasses, and pollens start coming out early, March can be rough going for people with spring allergies,” Dr. Slankard says. Though nice spring weather beckons you outside, if you have spring allergies, keep your eye on the pollen count. The higher the count, the worse the allergies will be. A good place to check pollen counts is at the National Allergy Bureau of the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology.

April

April showers can bring … spring allergies. All that rain can make for blooming flowers, but as beautiful as they are, flowers and their pollen means discomfort for people with spring allergies. In some areas of the country, grass pollen emerges in April, too. Between the pollen from the flowers and the pollen from the grass, spring allergies may make you feel especially miserable.

May

Allergic to tree pollen? Although tree pollination can begin as early as February, it can last through May. That means you might need to slog through spring allergies for four long months. Grass pollen can also emerge this time of year in some parts of the country.

June

June is a key grass pollen month in many areas, and it’s likely that grass pollen will start to trigger your spring allergies by this time of year if it hasn’t already. As the days get longer and the temperature gets higher, you’ll probably want to spend more time outdoors. If you suffer from spring allergies, you may have good days and bad days — the temperature, the rainfall amount, and even the time of day will affect grass pollen levels, and you’ll need to adjust accordingly.

July

The good news is that by July, grass pollen should subside and you might feel like your spring allergies are finally becoming manageable again. The bad news is that July marks the start of fungus spores and seeds, so if you’re allergic to molds and spores, too, you may feel like your allergies never end. Mold can grow on fallen leaves, compost piles, grasses, and grains.

August

August is a prime month for people with summer allergies to mold spores, which peak during hot, humid weather. You might want to stay inside on days when the mold spore count is particularly high. The best way to keep away from these allergens is to run the air conditioning with a HEPA filter — this cool comfort indoors should help you feel better during the dog days of August.

September

Late summer/early fall ragweed is the most common cause of fall allergies. Depending on where you live, ragweed-fueled fall allergies can start in August or September and continue through October and possibly November. Pollen grains are lightweight and spread easily, especially on windy days. The more wet and windy autumn is in your area, the more easily the pollen spreads, and the worse your symptoms will feel.

October

Chances that fall allergies will ease by October get better the farther north you go in the United States. But in warmer climates, fall allergies can linger well into this month. Seasonal rain and wind can also ramp up mold spores — if your fall allergies include mold or fungi spores, your symptoms may linger.

November

The ragweed pollen season usually ends by mid-November in most areas of the country. If you have fall allergies and react to fungi and molds, you probably face your worst symptoms in late summer and early fall. Although you might feel miserable from the end of March until November, making it seem like you have year-round allergies, you should get a break now. November may be one of the best months for people with outdoor allergies, which allows for enjoying the crisp weather. Then, just in time, indoor allergies to pet dander and indoor molds pick up.

December

As pretty as they are, real Christmas trees can make you wheeze and sneeze. It’s likely not the tree itself that triggers allergies but the microscopic mold spores that can harbor in its branches. If you can’t resist buying a live tree despite winter allergies, take it home a week before you plan to decorate it and leave it in a garage or an enclosed porch. Then give it a good shake to try to get rid of any spores.

Allergy bloom calendar | CleanAirLove

August 15
2021

If you suffer from a seasonal allergy to plant pollen (hay fever), you just need to take into account the calendar of flowering and pollination of plants. This will help you take preventive measures in advance and prepare for a dangerous period for you.

How to protect yourself and your children from pollen allergies You can find out in our resource Pollen allergies in children: how to choose an air purifier . This article provides detailed recommendations on what measures to take for an allergy sufferer, as well as tips on choosing equipment for dealing with pollen at home.

Please note that the flowering calendar is quite approximate, the timing and duration of flowering plants may vary depending on the weather, even within the same region.

The table lists the most common plant allergens, but this is not all. For some people, plants that are harmless at first glance can be a source of allergies: bluebells, rhododendrons, poppies, forget-me-nots, and others. Please take into account your individual characteristics.

We hope that the flowering calendar will help you prepare and feel comfortable during your “dangerous” periods of pollen allergy.

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ALLERGY CALENDAR

• Home
• Good for allergy sufferers
• ALLERGY CALENDAR

March

3 more plants

April

11 more plants

May

20 more plants

June

15 more plants

July

15 more plants

August

4 more plants

September

October

November

December

January

February

ALLERGY CALENDAR

Allergy in spring: it starts earlier, lasts longer and requires you to diet

Due to global warming, spring comes to Ukraine earlier. For example, in 2020, it began on the twentieth of January – it was from that time that the steady flowering of early spring trees – hazel and alder was scientifically recorded. For the past twenty years, these plants have started their season a month later than now: in late February – early March, depending on the weather.

Allergy season: long, early and more intense

But the tale of twelve months, which has come true and confidently walks the Earth, may not please those almost 40% of Ukrainians with hay fever who are sensitive to tree pollen. After all, now the important season for them, having begun earlier, lasts longer and is more intense.

It is this trend – to increase the amount of pollen, to lengthen the pollination season and to increase the peak concentrations of allergens in the air that Ukrainian scientists have observed over the past 10 years.

Allergy combines birch with oak

But this is not all the discomfort for people with allergies: in spring, Ukraine is characterized by the flowering of trees belonging to the birch and beech families. However, both of these families belong to the order Bukotsvetnye, that is, they are relatives. And, therefore, their pollen is a frequent culprit in cross-reactions. That is, people who are sensitive to alder and hazel pollen tend to react to birch pollen, because together these trees belong to the birch family. Together with them, the hornbeam also belongs there, the pollen of which, as was proved by the studies of Ukrainian doctors, is also highly allergenic. Swiss scientists also speak about the danger of hornbeam pollen. They found that with increasing concentrations of this pollen in the air in their country, the number of exacerbations of pollen asthma increases.

And hazel, alder, hornbeam and birch blossom, replacing each other, now from January to May, thereby endangering people who are sensitive to pollen from plants of the birch family all the time.

However, birch pollen in the air is replaced by beech pollen – oak and beech bloom in late April and May. And if the range, for example, of the hornbeam, mainly extends to the Right-Bank Ukraine, the hazel can be found in the forests of the North and the Center, and the beech is found mainly in the West, then the rest of the trees are gradually conquering the whole of Ukraine.

Dangerous landscaping

Birch, alder, and oak are popular for use in urban landscaping. So utilities and the residents themselves voluntarily expose themselves, or rather their children, to the danger of developing sensitivity to plant pollen.

It takes time for allergy symptoms to show up. It is necessary for trees to grow up and start producing pollen. For example, oak begins to bloom only after 25 years. Therefore, future generations have every chance to breathe allergenic pollen – the children and grandchildren of those who today plant an allergen source under their windows, on a nearby street or in a park.

The same applies to the beloved by many cypresses, yews, arborvitae and junipers. For a dozen, if not more, years in Ukraine there has been a surge in the popularity of landscaping urban and homestead territories with these plants. Meanwhile, in Europe, cypress pollen, in Japan – its relatives of cryptomeria, and in the USA – yew – this is one of the main allergens, which in terms of strength and scope of its action can only be compared with ragweed.

Allergen, appears earlier than others

And the results of the landing of a potentially allergenic landing make themselves felt in our latitudes: an allergy to cypress pollen, and all the listed plants belong to this family – Ukrainians are increasingly registering both skin and molecular tests for allergies. According to the latter, 10% of people with hay fever in Ukraine are already sensitive to pollen from this group.

As a rule, pollen concentrations of these plants in the open air are not very high. However, if you have thuja, cypress, yew or juniper growing under your windows, and you or other family members are prone to allergies, then you and / or your children may eventually develop sensitivity to the pollen of these trees.

The trouble lies in the fact that cypress trees begin to bloom earlier than other plants. In recent years, their pollen month in Ukraine has been February. In the southern regions and in the Crimea, flowering of cypress began in January. But, due to global warming, January has increasingly become a danger to those who are sensitive to the pollen of cypress and its relatives.

Apples are dangerous in spring

Another danger is food. The beech-flowering order, together with all its sources of allergens, belongs to the subclass Rosida, and therefore birch, alder, hazel, and hornbeam are relatives of apples. And not only them, but also other plants that, together with the apple tree, are part of the pink family. This is why people who are sensitive to birch pollen also react to apple, whose allergens tend to give them oral allergy syndrome.

It is manifested by itching in the mouth, swelling of the lips, tongue, larynx. However, as a rule, it passes quickly and does not pose a threat to life.

Allergy manifestations intensify if, having symptoms of pollinosis during the flowering of trees, especially birch, you decide to eat apple, pear, apricot or peach. As well as nuts – the fruits of hazel, walnut, almond, – beech-flowered and pink, the pollen and fruits of which cause symptoms of hay fever.

What to do to reduce allergies

Therefore, in order to reduce the manifestations of seasonal allergies, it makes sense not only to seek treatment for this disease, but also to change your diet.

It is better to choose treatment with a doctor. After all, antihistamines, which usually relieve the symptoms of an allergy, do not treat its cause. An allergy vaccine that can cure this disease is called allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT). However, only an allergist can choose a set of allergens for this course and conduct it for you.

And to reduce or eliminate symptoms altogether, keep an eye on allergy forecasts available on the Internet and try not to be outside for long periods of time during the flowering season.

During this period, it is advisable to use a mask and dark glasses, which will also protect you from pollen.

When you get home, change your clothes and wash your hair – pollen can settle on clothes and hair.

It is better to keep the windows in the apartment closed, using the ventilation system, both day and night. After all, pollen is able to migrate over long distances, and at night pollen grains can reach you, which trees threw out during the day in the forest a hundred or two kilometers from your house.

And of course, don’t self-medicate and keep in touch with your allergist during the whole pollinosis season.

Sources of information:

1. alergiyi-ALEX-
2. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324117268_Seasonal_changes_in_plant_pollen_concentrations_over_recent_years_in_Vinnytsya_Central_Ukraine

Summer allergies: two waves of pollen, fungal spores and dangerous food

Summer is the time for rest, sea and sunny mood. However, the latter can easily spoil the symptoms of seasonal allergies, which are relevant for about 30% of Ukrainians.

Summer is the time when a large number of allergens, plant pollen and fungal spores, are recorded in the atmosphere.

Cereals – increase sales of allergy medicines

The trigger of symptoms that comes in the summer from spring is the pollen of grasses belonging to the grass or fine-legged families. They begin their flowering earlier, and in the South and East it can be observed as early as April. The North and West of Ukraine receive these allergens a little later – from the beginning or from the middle of May – if the summer turned out to be relatively cold.

The high levels of sales of antihistamines are associated with the dusting of cereals in central Ukraine: the pollen of these plants is so allergenic that scientists consider it enough for a sensitive person to inhale a few of its grains to develop allergy symptoms. That is why, as soon as the season of fine-legged dusting starts, people turn to pharmacies en masse for allergy pills.

Throwing pollen into the air in waves – and the family of cereals includes more than 20 genera that bloom both simultaneously and in turn – cereals remain the main allergens until mid-July.

Then their activity subsides somewhat. However, pollen levels from these plants may rise again in August, causing an incorrect identification of the causes of allergies.

Ambrosia and wormwood: avoid not only pollen

Doctors and many patients already know that the main allergen in August is wormwood and ragweed pollen. These two weeds, which are members of the Asteraceae family, often enhance each other’s effect on the patient’s body due to cross-reactivity, that is, the similarity of the allergenic proteins of their pollen.

Weed season opens with polynya . And if ten years ago, in the second half of July, its pollen was difficult to find in the air, now it has been in it since the second decade of this month – global warming affects plants. Wormwood allergens include the third wave of hay fever in Ukraine. The reason for the first two is the flowering of trees and cereals.

And already in August it enters the seasonal stage – ambrosia . The name of this plant has already set the teeth on edge for someone, and it terrifies someone, because about 40% of those who have seasonal allergy symptoms react to its pollen, like birch pollen.

Together, ragweed and wormwood, according to Ukrainian data from molecular diagnostics of allergies, cause a reaction in 44% of people sensitive to pollen.

And that’s not all. The sunflower belongs to the same family as wormwood and ragweed, as well as chamomile, dandelion, chicory – plants whose inflorescences resemble chamomile. Therefore, people who are sensitive to pollen from this group are highly discouraged from smelling these flowers. After all, their pollen is similar in properties to that of ambrosia. And in Ukraine, cases of people’s reactions to it have been recorded. So, after she posed in a field of sunflowers near Kharkov, an Instagram user ended up in intensive care: beautiful photos cost her anaphylaxis, a dangerous allergic reaction that can lead to fatal consequences.

During the flowering period of Asteraceae, it is also not recommended to eat sunflower and pumpkin seeds, watermelons, melons, cucumbers. After all, their pollen has cross-reactivity with proteins in the above and similar products. This phenomenon is called pollen-fruit syndrome.

Caution, allergenic spore

However, there is one more allergy factor that doctors forget about and patients do not pay attention to. Alternaria.

According to the latest data, about a quarter of Ukrainians who have symptoms of pollinosis react to the spores of this fungus. This fungus is ubiquitous and high concentrations of its spores in the open air are observed just in the summer months with peaks in July. They remain high in August. Thus, when diagnosing allergies, do not forget about Alternaria as a factor in summer symptoms.

But only molecular tests can establish a diagnosis of sensitivity and allergy to Alternaria. In skin prick tests, fungal allergens quickly deteriorate and lose their accuracy.

Therefore, if you feel allergy symptoms – sneezing, watery eyes, nasal congestion – year after year during the summer, do not hesitate to contact an allergist. It is he who will not only make a correct diagnosis for you, but, having established a diagnosis, will make the right diet and provide other recommendations to control your possible symptoms.

In general, to reduce them, follow the allergy forecast that Ukrainian scientists create for people who are sensitive to pollen and fungal spores, and try to spend as little time as possible outdoors during the flowering period of your causative plants.

And if you have to go out, use a mask and dark glasses – they reduce the amount of pollen in your eyes, mouth and nose. When you get home, wash your hair and wash your clothes to wash off the pollen from them.

During periods of dust, you should use ventilation and air conditioning systems at home with HEPA filters, carry out frequent wet cleaning and do not open windows even at night – plant pollen can migrate over long distances and can reach your home at any time. The phenomenon of ragweed pollen transfer, which arrives at midnight in cities from rural areas, has already been experimentally confirmed in Ukraine.

Information sources:

1. https://www.annallergy.org/article/S1081-1206(19)30830-0/abstract
2. https://search.proquest.com/openview/c645c03486f94249fc82bccf5e138f34/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=105664
3. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/49eb/bc185dffdf40e9ebbcc6b1768fc67fb81520.pdf
4. https://kiai.com.ua/ua-issue-article-1624/Chutlivist-naselennya-do-chinnikiv-polinozu-v-Ukrayini-za-danimi-molekulyarnoyi-diagnostiki-alergiyi-ALEX-

Allergies in autumn: observed for longer and include more allergens

Due to global warming, autumn days are getting warmer, and plants that produce allergenic pollen, as well as fungi that produce allergenic spores in the air, have no choice but to adapt to new conditions and lengthen your period of activity. And everything would be fine, but for a third of the inhabitants of the European continent suffering from seasonal allergy symptoms, this means a continuation of the period of these symptoms and measures to prevent them.
After all, the most serious allergen that passes into autumn from summer is ragweed pollen, which is relevant for residents of the South and East of Ukraine. However, every year it becomes more and more significant for residents of other territories in recent decades, the plant has been actively migrating from the southeast to the northwest of the country. And only the same global warming can stop it, as well as drought, ragweed loves moisture, so in the dry years of 2015 and 2016 there was very little of its pollen in the air of Ukraine.

But so far, the spread of ragweed continues, and it has already affected the lives of more than 40% of those who react to plant pollen.

That is how many of them, according to the molecular diagnostics of allergy, are sensitive to ragweed pollen. This figure increases even more if we take into account the companion ragweed wormwood. Its pollen is observed in the air along with ragweed, enhancing its effect on our body.

And autumn companions are fungal spores. Global warming has affected them too. And it is in autumn, when the warm growing season continues, that the number of fungal spores in the air becomes more and more.

This primarily concerns the Alternaria fungus, to the spores of which, according to the same molecular diagnostics of allergy, almost a quarter of Ukrainians who have hay fever symptoms are sensitive.

Potentially allergenic relatives of Alternaria are also observed in the atmosphere in autumn. These are, first of all, epicoccum, pleospore and stemphylium, which are part of the same family with Alternaria. Therefore, they can enhance its effect on the body through the cross-allergenicity of proteins in these spores.

American scientists believe that spores of smut and rust fungi can also cause allergy symptoms. Autumn is a real paradise for these micromycetes. Their concentrations in the air reach moderate values, and the shapes and colors cause a real delight. However, these spores are visible only under a microscope, and therefore it is not clear to a simple person with pollinosis where his symptoms suddenly came from among such a beautiful autumn forest. And it’s all just fungal spores multiply on fallen leaves and their growth is even stronger in wet weather: mushrooms love it when it’s warm and damp.

On such days, other fungi, to which Ascomycete sensitivity can be observed, also spread massively. The number of their spores in the air increases rapidly during and after rains.

Polish scientists have already proven that one of the ascospores of Leptosphaerium has allergenic properties. However, the study of the dangerous properties of the spores of this group continues and over time we can learn about more potentially allergenic ascomycetes.

But the allergenicity of Fusarium, which produces spores similar to those of Leptosphaeria, has long been proven both in Europe and America. However, this fungus belongs to the group of basidiospores. They are produced by various cap mushrooms, many of which we eat. However, white fungus or boletus are not the main source of spores in this group. In autumn, there are many spores of koprinus or dung fungus, which is a relative of champignon. The dung beetle is inedible, but we actively breathe its spores in autumn.

That’s why for people reacting to pollen and fungal spores, autumn is increasingly becoming the season in which their symptoms continue from summer. Often until the end of October. That is how much ragweed dusting continues in most territories. In the southern regions, in the absence of frosts, it can continue into the first weeks of November.

However, it is not pollen and spores alone that make the autumn season dangerous for people with allergies.

The days are getting shorter and colder, so we spend more and more time at home. Scientists have already established that the air there is more polluted than outside. Sometimes 2-5 times. But in the case of an allergic reaction, it is not just dust. Her companions in our home are microscopic mites, long known for their ability to cause allergies.

And fungus spores that cause symptoms outdoors often settle in our homes, so it is always worthwhile to clean the places where the mold has settled, treating them with antifungal agents, and also keep indoor humidity at 50%.

Other tips on how to protect yourself from autumn hay fever are:

• Remember that pollen and spores are ubiquitous, and they, especially pollen, are capable of migrating long distances. Therefore, during the period of your symptoms, keep the windows in the house closed day and night. It has been proven that ragweed pollen can migrate hundreds of kilometers, reaching you at any time of the day
• If you have a sensitivity to fungal spores, do not walk in autumn forests and parks, especially in wet weather. At this time, spores actively multiply there
• Keep an eye on allergy forecasts and try to be less outdoors during periods of high pollen concentrations.
• Establish contact with an allergist and support him during allergy season, because self-treatment, like the lack of treatment of an ailment, can lead to a worsening of symptoms right up to irreparable consequences.

Information sources:

1. https://visnyk.vntu.edu.ua/index.php/visnyk/article/view/2362
2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969718343195
3. https://scholar.google.com/scholar?cluster=13091866396798981940&hl=en&oi=scholarr
4. https://scholar.google.com/scholar?cluster=7284603683575979335&hl=en&oi=scholarr
5. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00484-018-1500-z
6. https://www.annallergy.org/article/S1081-1206(16)30582-8/fulltext

Allergies in winter: mites, pollen, frost and Christmas trees

Winter is considered an allergen-free period, when the body is in a pause between pollination seasons.

And by and large it is true: in winter there is almost no pollen in the air, very few fungal spores. And it is during this period that doctors advise taking courses of the so-called “anti-allergic vaccinations”, namely, allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT).

Take care of spring in winter

During these courses, a person receives small doses of allergens, which allow the body to get used to them and react much less to allergy factors when they appear in the air.

ASIT is now available in the form of injections, that is, injections that you need to go to the hospital, as well as tablets and dragees that are placed under the tongue, and even as sprays. The last two types are well suited for children. However, the type of drugs and their dosage, after an appropriate diagnosis of the causes of your allergy, can only be selected by a doctor.

Allergens in corners and mattresses

After all, ASIT can be performed not only for pollen allergens. It is also relevant in case of sensitivity to fungal spores, house dust mites and pet allergens. It is the last two that come to the fore in winter. Indeed, in cold weather, we stay indoors much more, thereby more often encountering those allergens that are there all year round. And it is not always possible to open windows for ventilation in the cold.

And if you’re sneezing or watery when you get home from work, or your nose is stuffy and hard to breathe in the morning, it’s very likely that you’re sensitive to home allergy triggers.

First of all, cleaning can help. But it is not a panacea either, because it is not so easy to get rid of those billions of mites that live in mattresses, blankets, sheets and upholstered furniture. Therefore, doctors recommend not only to clean and purify the air with HEPA filters, but also to treat upholstered furniture, linen and other places where ticks can live with special acaricidal agents.

In the arsenal of modern owners and housewives – household air purifiers that help to free the atmosphere of your home from any allergens in it. And this may be especially true for the proteins found in cat dander. Exfoliating, the ultralight epithelium of cats easily rises and does not settle for a long time, causing unpleasant symptoms in owners sensitive to it.

They can also be caused by fungal spores. After all, mold often settles in damp and cold corners or bathrooms, on the northern walls of high-rise buildings and in other dark and damp places. And, by spreading spores, the fungus in the home also becomes an important factor in winter allergies. Indeed, according to molecular diagnostics, most of those who react to fungal spores are sensitive to Alternaria and Aspergillus / Pencillus – the most frequent companions of dwellings.

How to survive the Christmas holidays

These are the people at risk during the Christmas and New Year period. After all, the fungus, which is ubiquitous in nature, will come to life and multiply on a natural Christmas tree, which you bring into the house to the delight of yourself and your children. Mushrooms also live on plastic Christmas trees. Especially if they spend the year in dark and damp pantries. And, having warmed up, the mushrooms, both on a natural and on an artificial Christmas tree, will begin to release spores. And therefore, before using an artificial Christmas tree, which you use not for the first time, it is recommended to wash it, in particular – in the shower, and dry it well before installing and decorating it.

Another favorite place to argue is flower pots. Do you water them often and have a sensitivity to mushrooms? Do not be surprised if you feel the symptoms of pollinosis both when decorating the Christmas tree and when caring for your green pets. Alternaria and penicillium feel great indoors.

Cold test

It’s bad at home, the air outside doesn’t contain pollen, so do you think it’s better there in winter? Only if you are not a young man or a woman, but the temperature is above zero outside. Already at plus 4 and below, people with sensitive skin, mainly children, youth and women, may experience cold allergy symptoms. However, despite the popular name, this type of reaction is idiosyncrasy. That is, the response of the body directly to the irritant, which is the cold, without involving the reaction of the immune system.

People with cold sensitivity are advised to seek specific advice on how to deal with their condition. And general instructions include applying a large amount of cream on open areas of the body – on the face and on the hands before going outside.

And yet, pollen

But at the end of winter, walks can be dangerous not only because of the low temperature. In February, and in the southern regions during warm winters, back in January, in Ukraine, as well as in Europe, plants of the cypress family bloom. This is the cypress itself, as well as its relatives juniper, thuja, yew, which have become a popular part of the landscaping of cities and household plots of individual houses.

And few people realize that they are planting an allergen under their windows.