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How to survive seasonal allergies
Seasonal allergies happen a few times every year. Here’s how to conquer your symptoms.
General HealthClinically Speaking
6 min read
Dr. Morris Nejat
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Do your eyes weep at the sight of leaves turning colors in the fall? Do you associate spring fever with fighting off the buzz of antihistamines? If so, you’re definitely not alone. Seasonal allergies affect over 50 million people in the United States every year. That sure is a lot of tissues!
We know allergies can a be a major drag, especially when they return like clockwork each year. But there are some practical things you can do to alleviate your symptoms.
In preparation for the upcoming season of pumpkin spice lattes and hay fever, we spoke with allergy specialist Dr. Morris Nejat, director of the New York Allergy and Sinus Center (opens in new tab), to get the low-down on seasonal allergies. Here’s everything we learned, plus some DIY tips to help you survive the changing seasons.
What are seasonal allergies?
Seasonal allergies occur when certain allergens are present in your environment. These allergens typically emerge during transitional times of year when the seasons change. Changing weather often intensifies their growth or presence and your body reacts to them, often with itchy, watery eyes, brain fog, congestion, runny nose, sneezing, coughing and even wheezing. If you live in an environment that’s got a moody temperament, then you’re more likely to suffer from seasonal allergies.
You can thank mom and and dad for those sneezes. Seasonal allergies are genetic, which means they’re passed down from generation to generation. If your family has a history of seasonal allergies, then it’s more likely that you will, too. Whether or not you suffer from them depends on where you live and what kinds of allergens thrive there. You may even notice that your allergies disappear in certain environments. So spring break in the Caribbean may even be good for your health!
Each season contains its own special greenery, growths, and blossoms, which means your allergies will flare each year around the same time. Developing a knowledge of the seasons and the types of weeds, grasses, trees, and molds that grow during each one can help you identify your triggers and get to the root cause of your allergies.
Here are the most common allergens in each season.
Fall: Your allergies will typically kick in around August and won’t let up until the end of September or when it gets cold. Weeds and outdoor molds flourish during the hotter summer months. The biggest culprits are ragweed, mugworth, cockleweed, pigweed, russian thistle, sagebrush, and tumbleweed.
Winter: These types of allergies start to flare after the first frost. Due to the drop in temperature, people tend to stay indoors more, which increases exposure to indoor allergens like pet dander, dust mites, and mold. If you live in a warmer environment, tree pollen season can also occur at this time. Cedar Fever in the American Southwest is often in full swing this time of year.
Spring: Allergies come in two waves that typically extend throughout the summer. Tree pollen allergies flare in early March, and grass pollen allergies start in early May. Both seasons run through July or August. Tree allergies include: alder, ash, aspen, beech, birch, box elder, cedar, cottonwood, cypress, elm, hickory, juniper, maple, mulberry, oak, olive, palm, pine, poplar, sycamore, and willow. If you have a grass allergy, one of these may be the cause: bermuda, blue grasses, orchard, red top, sweet vernal, or timothy.
Some people have multi-seasonal allergies, where they get sick or have flare-ups in both the spring and the fall. This happens when you’re exposed to one or more allergens that flourish during these seasons.
Signs you’ve got allergies
If you’ve got a history of getting sick at the same time every year, this is one of the biggest clues you’ve got allergies. Seasonal allergy symptoms are similar to upper respiratory infections (aka the common cold), which is why they‘re often confused.
Symptoms of seasonal allergies include:
Sneezing.
Itchy, red, and watery eyes.
Wheezing.
Coughing.
Brain fog or exhaustion.
Dark circles under your eyes.
Any combo of these things.
Step-by-step symptom relief
Step 1: Confirm you’ve got allergies.
If you’re suffering with seasonal allergies symptoms, then it may be time to take a trip to an allergy specialist (opens in new tab) to get tested. These tests will help you determine the specific cause of your allergies so you know what to avoid and how to treat your symptoms.
When you visit an allergist, they’ll perform a skin prick test, which entails scratching the surface of your skin with the protein concentrate of specific allergens like tree pollen, shrimp, and dust mites, to see how you react. If there’s no reaction, the doctor may perform a second round of testing where small amounts of allergens are injected into your skin. If you don’t react, then something else might be going on.
Step 2: Treat your symptoms.
There are lots of ways to treat seasonal allergies. Common treatments include antihistamine eye drops, intranasal steroids, oral antihistamines, and asthma meds, which can relieve or delay the onset of your symptoms. Many of these medications are now available over-the-counter, with no prescription (opens in new tab) required.
Eye drops: Naphcon-A and Zaditor are two common over-the-counter medications that help treat allergies. Olopatadine and azelastine drops, which require prescriptions, may also be effective.
Nasal spray: There are two main types of nasal sprays that can treat allergies: intranasal steroids and intranasal antihistamines. Many intranasal steroids like fluticase, triamcinolone, budesonide, and mometasone are available over-the-counter, while intranasal antihistamines like olopatadine and azelastine sprays require prescriptions.
Oral medications: Most oral allergy treatments are available over-the-counter at your local drugstore. Antihistamines, decongestants, or a combination of both may effectively treat your symptoms. Montelukast is another type of allergy pill which may alleviate symptoms and is available via Rx.
Asthma meds: Seasonal allergies can also trigger asthma (opens in new tab). Inhalers are the most common form of treatment for asthma. Talk to an allergist about your symptoms to be sure you’re optimizing your treatment.
As you pursue treatment, keep in mind that it often takes some trial and error to figure out what works best for you and your body. Be sure to take your meds regularly until your symptoms diminish. If your current treatment doesn't improve your symptoms, talk with your allergist to make sure you're taking the right medications and to rule out a concomitant sinus infection, which may be exacerbating your condition.
Step 3: Avoid exposure.
Keep your windows closed when you’re at home and when you’re driving. Avoid doing outdoor chores or spending lots of time outside when the pollen count is high. If your spring allergies are especially bad, you may want to invest in a pollen mask. Eyeglasses and sunglasses may help protect your eyes from allergy related irritation.
Step 4. Try DIY symptom relief.
Neti Pots and saline nasal rinses can be an effective method of treatment if you suffer from allergy-related congestion and dripping. Throat steamers may alleviate coughing. Adding a few drops of eucalyptus to your steamer is a great way to open up your sinuses and alleviate congestion.
Step 5: Strategize with technology.
Predicting an allergy flare-up isn’t an exact science, but there are a number of apps out there that can help you avoid one. These apps help you track pollen count, allergen exposure, and even the weather so you can predict a future flare. This can help you plan how frequently you take your meds, what kinds you take, and even how you will commute to work.
Step 6: Purify your living space.
HEPA air filters are a great way to neutralize your home by removing mold, pet dander, and even second-hand tobacco smoke. Humidifiers can also alleviate sinus symptoms like a stuffy nose, coughing, or sneezing. It’s also a good idea to vacuum frequently to reduce pet dander and dust, especially during the colder months.
Step 7: Up your grooming game.
If you spend time outside, be sure to wash your clothes, hair, and skin frequently, especially at night before your go to sleep. Same goes for your pets, who can drag in allergens from the outdoors.
Don’t let allergies ruin your appreciation of the seasons. If you think you might have allergies,talk to your primary care doctor (opens in new tab) first so you can come up with a plan to nip those symptoms in the bud.
