Springtime Seasonal Allergies and Their Causes

The most common seasonal allergy for both spring and summer is caused by pollen. Wikipedia.org defines pollen as a fine to coarse powder consisting of microgametophytes (pollen grains), which produce the male gametes (sperm cells) of seed plants. Pollen is released from different plants, weeds, grasses and trees and becomes airborne in order to fertilize other plants. When this occurs you then breathe the pollen in, and for allergy suffers this can make for a bad day.

Springtime allergies are caused from pollen that that is produced from many trees, such as Alder, Ash, Aspen, Beech, Box Elder, Cedar, Cottonwood, Elm, Maple, Oak, Pine, Willow, and many more. Grasses and weeds also produce pollen. Bermuda, Fescue, Johnson, June, Orchard, and Salt Grass are some of these. You have an increased risk of developing allergy symptoms during the spring when the days are more breezy or windy. These symptoms can include runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes and nose, and dark circles under the eyes.

There are a few different tests that can be run in order to diagnose allergies. These tests include a skin test and a radioallegosorbant test (RAST). If you test positive to either of these tests for a certain allergy, it does not mean that you will instantly start coughing, sneezing, or having any of the other allergy symptoms. A skin test is a test that involves injecting a very small amount of a diluted allergen just under the skin. This test is preformed in the arm or the back. If positive you will develop a small wheal or hive at the injection site. A hive or wheal is just a small red bump. The RAST is a blood test used to detect antibody levels to specific allergens.

Treatments for allergies can vary depending not only on the type of allergy, but also on the severity of the allergy. Treatments include but are not limited to antihistamines, decongestants, a combination of the antihistamine and decongestant, cromolyn sodium nasal spray, eye drops, prescription medication, or an allergy shot. There are also several natural remedies. These natural remedies include Butterbur, Quercetin, Stinging Nettle, and Nasal Irrigation.

You can help to manage and control you allergy symptoms by taking a few extra precautions during allergy season, and especially when the pollen levels are high. You should try to stay indoors and keep your windows and doors closed as often as you can during these times. You should also make sure to keep you air filters clean and dust often making sure to wear a mask so that you do not breathe in the allergens that can build up inside the home. Vacuuming at least twice a week can also help to keep the allergens out of the air in your home. Remember again to wear a mask when vacuum, since this will also make allergens present in the air temporarily.

Even though you may think your symptoms are caused by allergies, they could be caused by something else. You should see you doctor for correct diagnosis, and in order to determine which treatment would be best for you.