Everything You Need to Know about Seasonal Allergies

The weather is warming up, the sun is shining, the world is looking a lot more bright and happy. For some of us, the changing of seasons is a happy time, but for others, it signals the beginning of seasonal allergy season.

Check out this article answering questions on Spring allergies https://helpmommy.com/spring-allergy-questions/

What are seasonal allergies?

Plants, trees, mold all put off spores and pollen in their reproductive cycle. Pollen grains are tiny “seeds” dispersed from flowering plants, trees, grass, and weeds. Sometimes, humans can become sensitive to pollen, which leads to an allergic reaction. The amount and type of pollen in the air depends on the season and geographic region. Though pollen counts are typically higher during the warmer seasons, some plants pollinate year-round.

What are the symptoms of seasonal allergies?

Symptoms include: Coughing, runny nose, watery eyes, itchy eyes and nose, congestion, sneezing and a general sense of feeling badly. 

Histamines are molecules within the body that are released by cells in response to an allergy, and the histamines cause the common symptoms of itching, watery eyes, sneezing and cough. An allergic reaction can also cause an inflammatory response, including swelling, congestion, headache and dark undereye circles.

Why do some people struggle with seasonal allergies while others don’t?

Whether seasonal allergies affect a person is partly due to genetics. If your parents or siblings have allergies, you are more likely to have them too, but genetics are not the only factor. Environmental factors, such as exposure to pollutants, can also increase the risk of developing allergies.

In addition, the type of pollen you are exposed to can also affect whether or not you develop allergies. Some types of pollen, such as ragweed pollen, are more allergenic than others. The amount of pollen in the air and the duration of exposure can also play a role.

It’s worth noting that not everyone who is exposed to pollen will develop allergies. In fact, some people may not develop allergies until later in life, even if they were not allergic as a child.

How are seasonal allergies treated?

Common antihistamine over-the-counter medications can ease symptoms, including Benadryl, Zyrtec and Claritin. Those medications help with itchy, watery eyes, sneezing and cough. Antihistamines don’t help with inflammation that comes with an allergic reaction, so doctors may also prescribe or recommend an over-the-counter nasal spray. Those include Nasonex, Flonase and Nasacourt, to name a few.

How can you tell the difference between allergies and a cold?

The time of year matters, as pollen counts are typically higher during the warmer months. If someone experiences an allergic reaction to pollen once, they will typically experience the same reaction each year around that same time, which generally includes the same symptoms. 

Common peak allergy times - spring and fall - are not common times people experience colds, so that can help differentiate between the two. Also, if there is a fever in addition to the nasal and inflammatory symptoms, that is almost always a cold.

When is it time to see an allergist?

Allergists are doctors who specialize in the treatment of allergies, and, sometimes, pediatricians recommend further treatment from a specialist like an allergist. 

People who struggle with allergies are typically allergic to multiple things, which can make allergens difficult to avoid. 

When an allergy sufferer has tried all of the medications and is still miserable, it is time to see an allergist. Allergy shots would be the next step in treatment, which is a four-year commitment to one shot each week. To learn more about allergy shots, check out HelpMommy. 

Don’t let allergies ruin your springtime fun – take steps to manage your symptoms and enjoy the beautiful weather!

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Eclipse Fun

Save the date for April 8! There will be a total solar eclipse – where the shadow of the moon will plunge a narrow strip of land into darkness in the middle of the day — and people across the United States will be able to see this astronomical experience.

What is so exciting about this eclipse? Another total solar eclipse will not happen for another 20 years, so if you are in the path of totality, enjoy the phenomenon and make it fun.

An important reminder: Safety is a must! It is not safe to look directly at the Sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing. Eclipse glasses are available online at various retailers, or you can involve your kids in making their own pinhole viewer using a shoebox. 

To learn more about the eclipse, visit the NASA website!