How do allergies affect people differently each month. What are the main allergens to watch out for in different seasons. When can allergy sufferers expect relief from their symptoms. How can you manage allergies effectively year-round.

January: Combating Winter Indoor Allergies

While outdoor pollen levels are typically low in January, indoor allergens can still cause significant issues for many people. The primary culprit during this time is often house dust, which can become more problematic as people spend more time indoors with the heating on.

To minimize exposure to dust allergens:

• Maintain indoor humidity below 55%
• Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter regularly
• Encase pillows and mattresses in dust-mite-proof covers

These measures can significantly reduce allergy symptoms during the winter months, allowing for a more comfortable indoor environment.

February: The Early Onset of Tree Pollen Allergies

February marks the beginning of tree pollen season in many regions, even in colder areas like the Northeast. Common allergy-causing trees include:

• Catalpa
• Elm
• Hickory
• Olive
• Pecan
• Sycamore
• Walnut

Tree pollen can trigger typical spring allergy symptoms such as watery eyes, sneezing, and nasal congestion. For those sensitive to tree pollen, it’s crucial to monitor local pollen forecasts and take necessary precautions when venturing outdoors.

Managing Early Spring Allergies

How can you cope with the early onset of tree pollen allergies? Consider these strategies:

1. Start taking allergy medications before symptoms begin
2. Keep windows closed on high pollen days
3. Shower and change clothes after spending time outdoors
4. Use air purifiers with HEPA filters indoors

March: The Official Start of Spring Allergy Season

March heralds the arrival of spring and often brings a surge in tree pollen levels. For allergy sufferers, this can mean an increase in symptoms and discomfort. It’s essential to stay informed about local pollen counts and adjust your outdoor activities accordingly.

Where can you find reliable pollen count information? The National Allergy Bureau of the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology provides up-to-date pollen forecasts for various regions across the United States.

Preparing for Peak Spring Allergies

As spring allergies intensify, it’s crucial to have a management plan in place. This may include:

• Consulting with an allergist to identify specific triggers
• Exploring both over-the-counter and prescription allergy medications
• Considering immunotherapy options for long-term relief
• Implementing lifestyle changes to reduce exposure to allergens

April: Navigating the Peak of Spring Allergies

April often brings a perfect storm of allergens, with tree pollen still prevalent and grass pollen beginning to emerge in many areas. The combination of these allergens can lead to particularly severe symptoms for those with spring allergies.

How does rainfall affect pollen levels? While rain can temporarily clear pollen from the air, it also promotes plant growth, potentially leading to higher pollen counts in the following days. This cyclical pattern can make April a challenging month for allergy sufferers.

Strategies for Coping with Peak Allergy Season

To manage symptoms during this intense period:

1. Limit outdoor activities during peak pollen hours (typically early morning and late afternoon)
2. Wear sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat to reduce pollen contact with eyes and face
3. Use nasal irrigation techniques to flush out allergens
4. Consider using a face mask designed to filter pollen when outdoors

May: Transitioning from Tree to Grass Pollen Allergies

May often sees a shift in the primary allergens, with tree pollen subsiding in many areas and grass pollen becoming more prominent. This transition can be particularly challenging for individuals allergic to both types of pollen, as they may experience prolonged symptoms.

Common grass types that cause allergies include:

• Timothy grass
• Kentucky bluegrass
• Johnson grass
• Bermuda grass
• Orchard grass

Understanding which specific grasses trigger your allergies can help in developing targeted management strategies.

The Impact of Climate on Grass Pollen Allergies

How does climate affect grass pollen levels? Warm, dry days with light breezes tend to result in higher pollen counts, while rainy or humid conditions can temporarily reduce airborne pollen. However, these weather patterns can vary significantly by region, so it’s important to stay informed about local conditions.

June: Peak Grass Pollen Season and Outdoor Challenges

June typically marks the height of grass pollen season in many parts of the country. As temperatures rise and days grow longer, people naturally want to spend more time outdoors. For allergy sufferers, this can create a constant balancing act between enjoying summer activities and managing symptoms.

Factors that influence daily pollen levels include:

• Temperature
• Humidity
• Wind speed and direction
• Recent rainfall
• Time of day

Balancing Outdoor Activities with Allergy Management

How can you enjoy outdoor activities while minimizing allergy symptoms? Consider these tips:

1. Plan outdoor activities for times when pollen counts are lower, typically in the late afternoon or after a light rain
2. Avoid mowing the lawn or delegate this task if possible
3. Shower and change clothes immediately after spending time outdoors
4. Use air conditioning in your home and car to filter out pollen

July: Transitioning to Mold and Spore Allergies

As grass pollen levels begin to subside in July, a new set of allergens takes center stage: mold spores and fungal particles. These microscopic allergens thrive in warm, humid conditions and can cause significant discomfort for sensitive individuals.

Common sources of mold and fungal spores include:

• Fallen leaves and decaying vegetation
• Compost piles
• Damp indoor areas (bathrooms, basements, etc.)
• Air conditioning units
• Outdoor air (particularly in wooded areas)

Strategies for Managing Mold Allergies

To reduce exposure to mold and fungal allergens:

1. Keep indoor humidity levels below 50%
2. Use dehumidifiers in damp areas of your home
3. Clean visible mold growth promptly with appropriate solutions
4. Ensure proper ventilation in bathrooms and kitchens
5. Avoid outdoor activities in damp, wooded areas when mold counts are high

August: Coping with Late Summer Mold Allergies

August often brings hot, humid weather that creates ideal conditions for mold growth. For those allergic to mold spores, this can lead to persistent symptoms throughout the month. Indoor air quality becomes particularly important during this time, as mold can thrive both inside and outside the home.

How can you improve indoor air quality to reduce mold exposure?

• Use air conditioning with HEPA filtration
• Regularly clean and maintain AC units
• Keep windows closed on high humidity days
• Use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens
• Clean and dry any damp areas promptly

The Link Between Mold Allergies and Asthma

For individuals with both mold allergies and asthma, August can be a particularly challenging month. Mold spores can trigger asthma symptoms, leading to increased respiratory distress. It’s crucial for these individuals to work closely with their healthcare providers to develop comprehensive management plans that address both allergies and asthma.

September: The Onset of Fall Allergies and Ragweed Season

September marks the beginning of fall allergy season, with ragweed pollen emerging as the primary culprit in many regions. Ragweed plants can produce up to a billion pollen grains per plant, and these lightweight particles can travel hundreds of miles on the wind.

Facts about ragweed allergies:

• Ragweed season typically lasts from late August through October or November
• A single ragweed plant can produce up to a billion pollen grains
• Ragweed pollen can remain airborne for days and travel great distances
• Symptoms are similar to other pollen allergies: sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes

Managing Ragweed Allergies

How can you minimize the impact of ragweed allergies? Consider these strategies:

1. Start taking allergy medications before ragweed season begins
2. Monitor local ragweed pollen forecasts and plan activities accordingly
3. Keep windows closed and use air conditioning with HEPA filtration
4. Avoid outdoor activities during peak pollen hours (usually morning)
5. Shower and change clothes after spending time outdoors

October: Navigating Late Fall Allergies and Weather Changes

October often brings a mix of allergens, with ragweed pollen still present in many areas and mold spores becoming more prevalent as leaves begin to fall. The changing weather patterns can also influence allergy symptoms, with fluctuating temperatures and increased rainfall in some regions.

Factors that can exacerbate fall allergies in October:

• Windy conditions that spread pollen and mold spores
• Leaf piles that harbor mold growth
• Increased indoor time as temperatures cool, leading to greater exposure to indoor allergens
• Seasonal activities like hay rides or pumpkin picking that may expose individuals to various allergens

Preparing for the Transition to Winter

As fall progresses, it’s important to prepare for the transition to winter allergies. This may involve:

1. Scheduling a check-up with an allergist to review and adjust treatment plans
2. Cleaning and servicing heating systems to reduce dust and mold exposure
3. Implementing indoor air quality improvements before spending more time indoors
4. Considering allergy testing if symptoms have changed or new triggers are suspected

By taking a proactive approach to allergy management throughout the year, individuals can significantly reduce their symptoms and improve their quality of life. Remember that allergy patterns can vary greatly depending on geographic location, local plant species, and individual sensitivities. Working with a healthcare provider to develop a personalized allergy management plan is often the most effective way to address year-round allergies.

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.

What are Winter Allergies? | Allergy & Asthma Network

Allergies, News

Many people think of allergies as seasonal, caused by grass, tree and ragweed pollen. Truth is, seasonal allergies can occur nearly year-round as trees release pollen in the spring, grasses in the summertime, and weeds go to work in the fall. And if you live in a warm climate, you might experience allergies in winter because some plants may not go dormant. For example, people who live in the Southwestern United States — Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona, New Mexico and Missouri — may experience what’s called “cedar fever” if exposed to the Ashe Juniper tree during winter months.

If tree, grass and weed exposure trigger allergies in spring, summer and fall, then what could trigger allergy symptoms in wintertime? Winter allergies are less likely to be caused by outdoor triggers; instead, they are triggered by exposure to allergens inside your home or office.

Can you have allergies in the winter?

In the winter, cold weather and shorter days drive us inside. Our windows are closed, and many homes are built tighter, with better insulation and fewer drafts. This is good for energy savings but can lead to allergy symptoms. In effect, winter seals us into our homes with our allergens, and increased exposure may make symptoms flare.

What causes winter allergies?

There is often not one particular answer. Winter allergies tend to flare up when we spend more time inside. What triggers one person might not pose a problem for another.

There are several common allergens found inside our homes, no matter how often you clean. Common indoor allergy triggers include: 

• Pet dander
• Dust
• Dust mites
• Mold
• Cockroaches: feces and shells left behind
• Rodents seeking shelter from cold weather bring dander, droppings, urine and parasites that may trigger allergy symptoms

Constant exposure to these allergens causes your body to identify them as invaders. An allergy is an exaggerated response to a substance and is unique to each person. An allergy to dust mites, for instance, tells the immune system to produce antibodies that attach to cells in the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, and lungs. As inflammation occurs, there is more mucus, making it harder for the body to rid itself of allergens.

Talking About the Weather

What’s the spring allergy outlook where you live? Will sudden temperature changes trigger an asthma flare? Weather can play a key role in asthma and allergy symptoms and flu transmission. We partnered with Weather Trends International to provide weather forecasting and analysis for people with asthma and allergies.

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What are common winter allergies?

Dust is everywhere. Dust contains skin flakes and hair from people and pets, tracked-in dirt, clothing fibers, crumbs, and insect parts. Carpets, furniture, window treatments, and bedding are dust catchers. Filters in your HVAC ducts get dirty or clogged, poorly sealed windows allow pollen and dirt in, and vacuuming releases dust into the air. 

Dust mites feed on the very things that make up dust, such as skin cells, insect parts and animal dander. They are present in almost every home, lurking in bedding, furniture, and carpets. Their feces contain digestive enzymes that allow them to get energy from their waste, but this enzyme can be a cocktail of allergens for humans. 

Mold is also lurking indoors. It thrives in dark, moist places like bathrooms, basements and under sinks. Mold spores float through the air and are found even if conditions aren’t favorable. In the right conditions, they will grow on fabric, paper, wood, glass, and plastic.

Are your pet allergies worse in winter? Many people with allergies keep their pets but find their allergies worsen in winter due to close contact with animals and their dander. Contrary to popular belief, fur is not the cause of allergic reactions. Dander is a protein found in the skin, saliva and urine of any animal with fur or feathers. Pets groom, scratch, and move around,  releasing dander that embeds itself in furniture, bedding, and carpets. People are generally more sensitive to cats, but dog allergies might worsen in winter due to their need for heavy winter coats. 

Itchy feet? Some people experience symptoms of feet allergy in the winter. Feet are already prone to dryness because they lack oil glands. Combine dry winter air, low humidity, hotter showers and baths, and not moisturizing enough, and your feet can react to winter as an allergy trigger. Symptoms include red, flaky, itchy skin that can peel or crack, uncomfortable on its own. It can also indicate an inflammatory skin disorder called atopic dermatitis (AD) and may be brought on by winter cold and exposure to the triggers already mentioned. Several ways to treat your itchy feet, especially during winter, include:

• Extra moisturizing; use heavy lotion/oil and wear socks overnight
• Bathe with cooler water; avoid stripping skin of natural oils
• Eat healthy fats; may improve your skin’s moisture barrier
• Drink plenty of water for supple skin
• Use a humidifier if dry air is a trigger
• Gently exfoliate feet regularly to rid them of dead skin cells
• Avoid scratching or peeling flaky skin
• Wear comfortable shoes; allow feet to breathe

What are winter allergy symptoms?

If you have seasonal allergies, the symptoms of winter allergies will be very familiar. These include:

• Watery, itchy eyes
• Dark circles under the eyes, known as allergic shiners; caused by nasal congestion
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Rashes or dry, itchy skin
• Morning headaches
• Postnasal drip
• Sore or itchy throat
• Wheezing and shortness of breath if you have allergic asthma

Since colds and the flu are common in winter, it can be hard to tell if your symptoms are allergies. If your symptoms continue past the 10-day mark, it is likely allergies — even if you have never had them before. Your doctor may refer you to an allergist for tests and diagnosis.

Are allergies worse in the winter?

Allergies depend on your triggers and your body’s reaction. When your symptoms flare because of pollen, you go indoors and get relief. Winter allergies can seem worse because the triggers are inside your home and workplace, so it’s harder to get away from them.

Dry air heightens allergy symptoms. With the heat running all winter, indoor air dries out your skin and nasal membranes. They get sore or cracked. A secondary infection risk goes up with cracked skin or nosebleeds, which happen more often in the dry winter air. 

Winter allergies vs. a cold?

Winter allergies and colds have common symptoms. Colds, however, come from viruses and spread through contact with another person who carries it. Allergies, on the other hand, are triggered from an allergen or irritant and produce a histamine reaction.

The immune system produces a histamine response to defend against allergens by making you sneeze, tear up, or itch. These responses aim to help you expel that allergen from your body. Antihistamines are commonly prescribed for allergies because they soften the body’s response.

Timing is a clue. Colds usually last several days or a week, ending when your body fights off the virus. Allergies last a lot longer because they persist as long as the allergen is around. 

How do I get rid of winter allergies?

With some effort and attention, there are many ways to manage winter allergies and limit your exposure to specific triggers.

Keeping your home clean is always a goal, but people with allergies should take extra care. Steps you can take include:

• Dust and vacuum frequently, including under and behind furniture.
• Reduce dust-catching fabric; hard floors instead of carpet, get rid of decorative pillows or throws.
• Use hypoallergenic covers on mattresses and pillows to reduce exposure to dust mites.
• Wash curtains, bedding, and pillows regularly in hot water.
• Use premium air filters in your HVAC system and clean/change often.
• Do not delay calling the exterminator If there is any evidence of infestation (insect or rodent).
• Keep food well-sealed; clean up counters to avoid attracting pests.
• Watch for leaks and check damp places for mold; don’t allow mildew to take root.
• Groom or bathe pets often.
• Wash pet bedding regularly.
• Keep bedrooms free of pets.
• Adjust humidity according to your triggers. Use a humidifier/dehumidifier depending on your needs and avoid extremes in either direction.
• Use an air purifier in addition to your HVAC air filters; keep them clean and free of mold. 
• Keep toys clean; most stuffed toys can be washed to reduce dust and dust mites.

If reducing exposure to allergens in your home isn’t enough, there are over-the-counter medications available for allergies:

• Antihistamines
• Decongestants
• Nasal sprays to clear allergens, reduce symptoms and fight inflammation
• Neti pots or nasal irrigation: distilled water flushes allergens away
• Eye drops for allergy symptoms to relieve dry, itchy eyes
• Pain relief to reduce headaches and inflammation

If symptoms intrude on your day-to-day life, if you are wheezing or having trouble breathing, or if allergy treatments aren’t working, talk with your doctor. Ask for strategies to avoid your triggers and manage your symptoms. Discuss which medication is best for you.

If you have undiagnosed allergies, you can take a skin test or blood test to pinpoint your allergy.

Immunotherapy, or allergy shots and tablets, work by building your body’s natural immunity to an allergy by exposing you to controlled amounts of the allergen. Over time, the goal of immunotherapy is to teach your body how to deal with the allergen exposure, reducing symptoms.

Allergy shots are taken by injection. Patients must go to the doctor’s office regularly to receive the injection. Allergy shots are approved for most types of allergens, including mold, pet dander, cockroaches and dust mites.

Allergy tablets are taken under the tongue. Once prescribed, they can be taken at home rather than at the doctor’s office. They are currently only approved for four allergens, and of those, only dust mites are a common winter allergy.

Donate blood for pollen allergy in February at the Optimum medical laboratory in Sochi (Adler)

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Comprehensive analysis “February Pollen”

Comprehensive study “Pollen February (Hornbeam, Cypress, Hazel, Pine)”, , which allows to detect specific IgE antibodies in the blood and determine their concentration, is carried out to detect sensitization of the patient’s body to these allergens.

Allergic reaction is an abnormal form of immune response that occurs when the human body is over-receptive to repeated exposure to certain foreign substances. The first exposure to allergens provokes the production of antibodies of the isotype E, the subsequent – the degranulation of specific immune cells due to IgE.

In the development of allergic conjunctivitis, rhinitis and bronchial asthma, the main role is played by inhaled allergens – tree fingers . To date, more than 9000 types of pollen allergens are known, the distribution of which depends on the area. To help allergy sufferers, floristic maps are compiled, including a list of plants from different regions and a schedule for their flowering.

A representative of the coniferous family – cypress (growing in the southern regions of our country), is a very strong allergen, its pollination begins in February. Signs of pollinosis appear when a threshold concentration of its pollen accumulates in the air. In addition, it is characterized by the presence of similar antigens that can cause an immune cross-reaction with allergens pines and representatives of the beech-flower family – hornbeam and hazel.

To detect the hypersensitivity of the human body to pollen allergens, special laboratory tests are carried out that allow detecting immune disorders and determining the etiological cause of the allergic reaction.

When is the test done?

Conducting immunological analysis “Pollen February (hornbeam, cypress, hazel, pine)” necessary for:

• the patient has symptoms of hay fever – sore throat, clear discharge from the nose, cough, watery eyes, redness and itching of the eyelids, bronchospasm;
• inability to perform skin tests;
• the need to quantify the specificity of inhalant allergens;
• total IgE titer more than 100 IU/l;
• monitoring of ongoing course of specific immunotherapy.

Test method

A sample of biological material (venous blood) is taken in the manipulation room of the laboratory center in the morning, on an empty stomach.

On the eve of the procedure, the patient should:

• refrain from eating;
• stop drinking alcohol and carbonated drinks;
• eliminate psycho-emotional stress;
• limit smoking and physical activity.

immunoassay method with chemiluminescent detection capability.

Analysis interpretation

Normally, specific IgE antibodies do not exceed 0.35 kU/L. An increase in their level confirms the patient’s sensitization to inhaled allergens of hornbeam, cypress, hazel and pine pollen.

Allergies in spring and summer

As soon as the sun begins to warm up and the snow melts, the soil, last year’s foliage and withered grass are exposed. This is a very good breeding ground for various fungi – mold, yeast, aspergillus. The spring wind carries microscopic fungal spores that can cause allergy symptoms. The time of occurrence of this type of allergy – fungal – is from the beginning of snow melting (usually March in our lane) until the end of May – June.

Another allergen associated with snow melting, evaporation of moisture from roads and sidewalks is anti-icing agents. The reaction to chemicals can continue throughout the snowmelt period.

However, the most famous and, according to statistics, the most common type of spring-summer allergy is pollinosis (hay fever) – a reaction to the pollen of flowering trees and grasses. From about mid-March to the end of April, there is dusting of early-flowering trees – alder, hazel, hornbeam, maple, ash, willow, willow. From mid-April to the end of May – dusting of late-flowering trees – birch, oak, elm, pine, spruce, poplar. From mid-May to the end of June, some herbs bloom, the pollen of which also causes allergy symptoms – coltsfoot, dandelion.

In the summer, the most common cause of allergies is the pollen of cereals and weeds. In June-July, there is a reaction to the flowering of cereals – timothy, rye, corn, wheat, couch grass, foxtail, fescue, hedgehog, bluegrass. From July to autumn, weeds bloom – wormwood, quinoa, nettle, plantain.

What are the symptoms of an allergy?

All the types of allergens listed above belong to the group of aeroallergens and cause a reaction in the respiratory tract. The most common symptoms of rhinitis are: itchy nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose. Often associated with redness of the eyes, lacrimation, photophobia. If you do not take any medications for allergies, the symptoms may become more severe: sore throat, cough, hoarseness, manifestations of bronchial obstruction (asthma).

Less commonly, atopic dermatitis, urticaria, or Quincke’s edema is observed upon contact with aeroallergens.

Cross allergy – what is it?

There are foods whose allergens are similar in origin and composition to tree, grass, and fungal allergens. When using these products, a reaction similar to an allergy to plant pollen is often observed – conjunctivitis, sore throat and cough, sneezing, nasal congestion. Allergies can be observed both during the flowering season and all year round. It happens that the reaction to cross products is even stronger than to the causative plant. Therefore, during flowering, it is recommended to follow a diet with the exclusion of cross-products so as not to aggravate pollen allergy. However, some people need such a diet outside of the flowering season.

If you are allergic to birch and related plants (aspen, alder, oak, beech, hornbeam, maple, ash, hazel), apples, pears, nuts, kiwi, carrots, celery, parsley, honey and stone fruits and vegetables (cherry, plum, prunes, peach, apricot, cherry, avocado, etc.).

Allergic people who react to cereal pollen should exclude bakery products and all flour products, kvass, beer, soy products, meat products with fillers.

If you are allergic to weed plants, seeds, halva, sunflower and corn oils, melon, watermelon, celery, herbal preparations are excluded from the diet.

With a fungal allergy, sour-milk products, moldy cheeses, kvass, sourdough are excluded.

How to diagnose allergies?

If you suspect an allergy, you should definitely visit an allergist. He will conduct a conversation, ask the necessary questions to understand which group of allergens causes a reaction. Then the doctor conducts an allergy diagnosis. It is a skin test with microdoses of allergens. In this case, the result is visible immediately after the examination. An allergist may also prescribe a blood test for allergens. Sometimes allergy diagnostics includes both methods.

What to do with the development of spring-summer allergies?

The best way to treat allergies is to avoid contact with the allergen. Therefore, one of the options for dealing with a spring illness is to leave for another lane, somewhere there are no such plants, or the causative plant has already faded.

However, often there is simply no way to leave. What to do then? Firstly, a visit to an allergist is necessary to conduct an allergological diagnosis and establish the causative allergen. In addition, the allergist will prescribe the necessary treatment to relieve symptoms, as well as give recommendations on diet, hygiene and walking during the flowering period.

To reduce contact with allergens, it is recommended to use barrier products: masks, nasal filters, barrier sprays. Windows and vents in the house should be closed to avoid allergens. Active walks are best done in calm weather after rain. When you come home from the street, you must definitely take off your outer clothing, wash your hands and face, rinse your mouth, rinse your nose with boiled water.

The most effective method of dealing with pollen allergy is Allergen-Specific Immunotherapy (ASIT). The method is the introduction of low doses of a causative allergen into the body of an allergic person. The immune system “gets used” to it and the reaction to the flowering plant decreases or disappears altogether.