Each spring, summer, and fall can bring about different types of allergens that will affect you if you have seasonal allergies. These allergens are usually pollen related and are limited to one season, and differ from the pet and dust allergens that aggravate perennial allergies. Mold however can be a seasonal or perennial allergen.

What is an Allergen?

An allergen is any substance including food, dust, plants, drugs, chemicals, pollen, mold, and pet dander that the body cannot interact with normally. Inhalation, ingestion, injection, or skin contact with any of these substances produces an allergic reaction commonly characterized by itchy eyes, runny nose, asthma, or skin rash. Seasonal allergies specifically involve environmental allergens; namely, pollen.

Pollen: Allergy Enemy #1

Pollen serves a very important reproductive purpose for plants, and it is dependent on being picked up by wind or insects to cross-pollinate other plants. Pollen can travel long distances and is usually present in its highest levels between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. Pollen that is in the air is the main cause for seasonal allergies as it lands on the eyes, nose, and skin and causes an allergic reaction.

Seasonal Allergic Reactions

• Allergic Rhinitis or Hay Fever. An inflammation of the nasal passages due to allergens, this allergy affects up to 39 million Americans. Symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, itching of the nose, and post nasal drip.
• Allergic Conjunctivitis or Eye Allergies. Usually accompanied by hay fever, symptoms include itchy, watery, red, swollen, and stinging eyes.
• Allergic Asthma; wheezing, coughing, chest tightness.

Spring Allergy Causes

Spring allergens are pollen from trees and sometimes weeds. Trees will start to pollinate anywhere from January to April if climate and location are right. Oak, olive, elm, birch, ash, hickory, poplar, sycamore, maple, cypress and walnut trees all have potential to trigger seasonal allergies.

Summer Allergens

Grass pollen is the main allergen in the late spring and early summer. Grass pollen levels are at their highest this time of the year, although an allergic reaction can occur anytime of the year that someone with allergies mows or lies in the grass. Itching and hives can be a symptom of grass pollen allergies.

Fall Allergens

The late summer and early fall heralds the return of weed pollen allergies. Allergy-inducing weeds include ragweed, sagebrush, pigweed, tumbleweed, and cocklebur.

Identifying Pollen in the Air

There are many resources available to help you know the pollen count in the air. Weather.com has a pollen index and forecast to help you plan around pollen levels.

Avoiding Pollen Exposure

In addition to being forewarned about current pollen levels, there are a few steps you can take to guard yourself against pollen exposure:

• Keep pollen from drifting into your home by keeping your windows closed.
• Avoid being outside when pollen levels are at their highest, between 5am and 10am.
• Avoid going outside on windy days
• Do not mow the lawn and stay away from recently cut grass
• Do not dry your laundry outside
• Keep your car windows up
• Journey to a pollen free locale like the beach if pollen levels are too high at home.

(1) http://allergies.about.com/od/allergies101/a/seasonalallergy.htm
(2) http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/327974/what_is_an_allergy.html

Written by Zuri Phillips for MicroNutra Health™

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 17th, 2008 at 10:30 am and is filed under Allergies, Seasonal Allergies. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.