It’s sneeze season, everybody! Spring is just around the corner and so are allergies. If you don’t know anything about spring allergies, then these things are good to keep in mind, especially if you’re allergic and have a weak immune system. However, if you’re suffering from a severe allergic reaction, follow the advice of an allergy doctor.

What Are Spring Allergies?

Spring is the time when flowers are sprouting, but that doesn’t mean that everything is pretty and perfect. With spring come allergies that can be prevalent in the months, leading from February to June. This is the time bracket in which pollen production is at an all-time high.

Also known as pollen or seasonal allergy, spring allergies are a group of allergies that can be caused by certain triggers that are abundant in the springtime and the effects on the immune system can be very detrimental.

Spring allergies affect a huge chunk of the population all over the world. These allergies can be very common in adults and children alike. Since the weather is changing as spring rolls around, there might be an overproduction of pollen and the absence of rain can cause the pollen to roam around freely.

Myths About Spring Allergies

Since spring allergies are very commonly occurring, there’s no doubt that there are a lot of myths that aren’t true. Here are some myths that are talked about a lot regarding spring allergies and how they’re busted.

I’ve never had allergies as a kid, so this must be a blocked nose

Even if you’ve had a near miss with allergies during your childhood, you’ll probably develop allergies at any age. There isn’t a certainty, but it does hurt to have a good diet so that your immune system is strong and can tackle any problem that might rear its head.

Allergy medication isn’t necessary

This has to be the biggest misinformation, regarding allergies. A lot of the time, people will not take allergy medicine and will wait for the symptoms to “go away naturally”.

This is the worst thing that you can put your body through. It’s important to take your medication as soon as you feel slightly under the weather so that the medication keeps your health from worsening.

Living in a drier area equals no allergies

In reality, there’s no allergy-free zone. Pollen is everywhere and it doesn’t matter whether there’s a dry or wet climate, you’re going to fall victim to allergies, if your immune system is weak.

You should only take medication when the symptoms are getting bad

The practice of taking allergy medicine should be the complete opposite. You want to take allergy medicine before the symptoms start to even show their effects because as soon as the medicine kicks in, you’ll feel like a million bucks.

Causes Of Spring Allergies

Spring allergies are mainly caused by pollen, which is the microscopic compound that’s present in flowers and trees. Pollen production hikes up when spring comes around because this is the time when flowers and trees sprout and produce fruits and fragrant buds. Pollen that causes severe allergies may come from plant sources like:

• Mulberry trees
• Pine trees
• Willow trees
• Oat fields
• Rye fields
• Bermuda fields and so on

It is usually the grass and tree pollen that can cause more serious allergies, whereas flower pollen is virtually harmless, but if you already have a weak and compromised immune system, then anything and everything can cause your symptoms to worsen.

Pollen is extremely lightweight and it can be transferred from one place to another via water and wind. If you live in an area where winds are the norm, then you better be prepared for the outburst of allergies if you’re not too careful.

Other things that can be the cause of spring allergies are:

• Mold and fungus
• Insect bites
• Dust
• Hay
• Pet fur

All of these things that can trigger an allergic reaction are known as triggers or allergens and these things can go into your immune system and give rise to symptoms of an allergic reaction. The reason is that your immune system is weak to fight against these foreign agents and the symptoms are defense responses of the compromised immune system.

Symptoms Of Spring Allergies

Here are some general symptoms of spring allergies:

• Your eyes might get super watery and the whites of your eyes can turn red and cause intense irritation.
• Sneezing will be the norm and there might be fits of sneezing once you get in contact with pollen.
• Your chest might feel tight and breathing will be extremely labored, as if you ran a marathon.
• Your face might swell and turn red, and this can be because of insect bites, pollen, and mold exposure.
• Post-nasal drip, which is the feeling that your mucus is going down your throat. This can also cause your throat to be constricted and you’ll have a hard time swallowing things because it’s an uncomfortable feeling.
• Your face, eyes, ear, arms and legs might feel very itchy and you might be tempted to scratch your skin off because that’s how intolerable the itch can get.

Treatment & Prevention Of Spring Allergies

Here are some things you can do to treat and manage spring allergies, along with preventing them from worsening in the future.

Allergy Medication

The most obvious one is allergy medication. Once you get the feeling that your symptoms are not being managed by home remedies, it’s time to make a visit an allergy center Manassas and get yourself tested for spring allergies.

Medications like antihistamines, decongestants, nasal corticosteroids, nasal sprays, and eye drops will be your lifesavers when an allergy attack makes your life miserable. Always keep them with you and take them whenever you feel like you’re getting assaulted by the triggers.

Allergy Shots

Immunotherapy is also another option that you can consider. Also known as allergy shots, this mode of treatment involves making antibodies inside your immune system naturally, by exposing yourself to the trigger over and over again, until your body is acclimatized to the effects. Luckily, spring allergy is one of the few allergies that can be treated by immunotherapy.

Hygiene

As for prevention, the first order of importance is to take care of your hygiene. Since you’re already a victim of allergies, you must take good care of your surroundings and keep them clean and tidy.

When you go out, take a shower and/or change your clothes after coming back. These habits are going to save you from a sudden allergic attack.

Balanced Diet

A good and balanced diet is extremely important to follow, if you want to be healthy from the inside out. Your body will only be able to fight back if it’s strong, so nourish it with whole foods, fresh and organic fruits, and veggies, whole nuts (if you’re not allergic to them), protein-packed legumes, lean meats, fish and nutrient-rich, chemical-free foods.

Conclusion

Spring allergies can turn serious pretty quickly and they can turn your day from good to worse in a matter of minutes. So, managing the symptoms is as important as treating the actual allergies. For better allergy management and treatment, visit an allergy clinic Germantown.