Overview

When nasal allergy symptoms bother you in spring, in late summer or autumn, is likely to be allergic to pollen.

To the triggering events could contribute even your area or local time. Since pollen is seen almost everywhere on earth except the polar ice caps and high altitudes, it is almost impossible to avoid exposure to pollen.


Contents

1. Overview
2. Causes of allergies during spring
3. Symptoms of spring allergies
4. Spring allergy diagnosis
5. Tips to avoid seasonal allergies

Causes of allergies during spring

The most important trigger of allergies in the spring is pollen - small particles released into the air by trees, grass and plants, in order to fertilize other plants. When pollen grains enter the nose of an allergic person, his immune system alerts.

The immune system mistakenly believes pollen as a foreign invader and releases antibodies - substances that normally identify and attack bacteria, viruses and other disease causing organisms.

The antibodies attack the allergens and the release blood of chemicals called histamines occurs. Histamines trigger the runny nose, itchy eyes and other allergy symptoms.

Pollen can travel miles and will spread in many ways triggering typical events for allergy sensitive people. As more pollen is in the air, more troubles occur. The pollen is measured by the amount of allergens in the air, in particles per cubic meter.

Here are some of the main culprits of allergies during the spring:

Trees
- alder
- ash
- poplar
- beech
- cedar
- cypress
- elm
- juniper
- maple
- mulberry
- oak
- olive
- palm
- pine
- poplar
- willow

Grasses and weeds
- lavender
- fescue

Orchard trees and plants
- timothy
- Distichlis spicata

Allergic manifestations tend to be particularly sharp, especially on days when the wind is present lifting up the pollen and carry it through the air from one place to another. In rainy days pollen is lower because it is washed by rain.

Symptoms of spring allergies

Among the spring allergies symptoms include:
- Runny nose
- Watery eyes
- Sneezing
- Cough
- Itchy eyes and nose
- Dark circles around the eyes.

Allergens in the air can trigger asthma, a condition in which the airways narrow and breathing becomes difficult, cough, wheezing and short breath.

Spring allergy diagnosis

If you have not been formally diagnosed with spring allergies, but note some leaks from the nose and itchy eyes during the spring months, consult your doctor to recommend an allergist for testing.

Your allergist may do a skin test that involves injecting a small sample of diluted allergen in arm skin, subcutaneous. If you are allergic to the substance, there will occur a small bump (induration).

Another option is the diagnostic radioallergosorbent test that involves harvesting a quantity of blood to detect the antibodies that are formed when a particular allergen is present.

However, the positive outcome of this test does not necessarily mean that a person starts to sneeze and cough when he come into contact with an allergen.

Tips to avoid seasonal allergies

1. Stay indoors during the period in which the pollen in the air is high. These days are warm, dry air and wind. The highest concentration present in the air is in the early morning (when is dew on plants) in the evening, during and after rain or cloudy, wet or windy days. During this time you should try to avoid outdoor activities and let them for other days.

2. Keep the house clean. House dust contains pollen. To reduce symptoms, try to clean the house dust. Also, allergy symptoms can be exacerbated by chemical irritants, pollution, cigarette smoke, pipe, cigar.

3. Use air conditioning. Keep windows and doors closed. Avoid room ventilation by opening windows. Use an air conditioner to keep the temperature low, which will remove pollen from the inside outward. You can buy a filter that is highly effective in filtering particles, which will remove most of the pollen in the air. When driving, use air conditioning on the recirculation setting. Make sure you clean the car air conditioners filters as it is not present mold and dust.

4. Rinse your nose. After you have been exposed to pollen, wash your nose with seawater to clean it. This can relieve symptoms.

5. Protect your eyes. If you must stay outdoors during allergy season, you must wear curved protection glasses. If you are sensitive, you may need to wear a nasal mask that will filter the pollen. In addition, do not wear contact lenses when the pollen from the air is increased.

6. Take showers. After being outdoors during periods when air concentrations of pollen are at high rates, you should remove clothing immediately when you get inside and take a shower. It is essential to wash your hair every night to prevent pollen from entering the bed. Wash your hands often. Make sure the clothes will be dry in dryer to ensure that pollen was removed.

7. Avoid activities that raise the pollen in the air. Mowing the lawn or other household chores in the garden can lift the pollen in the air.

8. Choose carefully planting alternatives for your property. Remember that what you plant in the yard can make a big difference for your allergy symptoms. Your lawn may be pleasant but it can cause pain if you are allergic to grass pollen. Opt for larger flowers or fruit, which do not contain allergens. These may include: cherry, pine, hibiscus, azaleas, magnolia, yucca.

9. Go on vacation in areas with fewer allergens. Plan the trips to the beach or other areas where airborne pollen concentration is low.

10. Learn to recognize pollen allergy season. Plants produce pollen at about the same time every year. When pollination begins, the specific events of the onset of allergies may occur depending on where a person lives.

By knowing the triggers of allergies and when they reach a significant concentration in the air, you can limit or avoid exposure to allergens and the symptoms will be reduced. Pollen allergy season can last from January to October. In general, trees pollinate from early May until mid-July. Plants begin to pollinate in late summer and continue until the autumn.

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