New Season Brings Spring Allergies To The US

While COVID may be taking the attention of many U.S. citizens, it’s important for locals not to ignore spring allergies and to let this perennial or seasonal annoyance take them by surprise. While keeping the pandemic on one’s mind is important, allergies, and their effects and symptoms, are just as important to bear in mind. 

COVID and allergies do bear similar symptoms, including a cough, fatigue, and headaches;  it is vital for locals to not confuse the two to effectively treat either-or. “But COVID — especially the Omicron variant — can cause more nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, postnasal drainage, and symptoms of a sinus infection, while allergies rarely cause a fever,” states a local news source.

What Are Seasonal Allergies? 

Unlike perennial allergies, “Seasonal (hay fever): [is] Caused by an allergy to pollen and/or mold spores in the air. Pollen is the fine powder that comes from flowering plants. It can be carried through the air and is easily inhaled. Symptoms are seasonal and usually occur in spring, late summer, and fall”. This is according to familydoctor.

Get Ahead of Allergy Symptoms Before They Hit

News reports are urging citizens to prepare for allergies to avoid suffering from symptoms. With this, getting ahead of allergy symptoms is encouraged., Individuals are advised to take their allergy medications at least two weeks before symptoms occur to do this. In consideration of climate change, earlier medication consumption may be necessary, with spring possibly arriving earlier than locals predict. 

Should an individual feel any symptoms and find themselves unsure whether it is allergies or COVID, testing for both is recommended, with a follow-up from a doctor.

Local medical sites reveal the following symptoms of allergies (these may vary in severity)

• Sneezing.
• Coughing.
• Itching (mostly eyes, nose, mouth, throat, and skin).
• Runny nose.
• Stuffy nose.
• Headache.
• Pressure in the nose and cheeks.
• Ear fullness and popping.
• Sore throat.
• Watery, red, or swollen eyes.
• Dark circles under your eyes.
• Trouble smelling.
• Hives.

What are Allergy Triggers?

For efficient treatment of allergies, knowing the allergy triggers is important. Seasonal triggers can refer to grass, pollen and mold, but there are other groups of triggers tied to particular seasons as The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI) points out:

• Insect bites and stings (usually in spring and summer)
• Chlorine in indoor and outdoor swimming pools
• Candy ingredients (Valentine’s Day, Easter)

According to (ACAAI), “In many areas of the United States, spring allergies begin in February and last until the early summer. Tree pollination begins earliest in the year, followed by grass pollination later in the spring and summer and ragweed in the late summer and fall. Mild winter temperatures can cause plants to pollinate early. A rainy spring can also promote rapid plant growth and lead to an increase in mold, causing symptoms to last well into the fall.”

If the change of season is the biggest trigger, be sure to: 

• Take a shower, wash your hair and change your clothes after you’ve been working or playing outdoors. (ACAAI)
• Avoid candy products and Chlorine
• Wear a (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) NIOSH-rated 95 filter mask when mowing the lawn or doing other chores outdoors, and take appropriate medication beforehand. (ACAAI)
• Keep windows and doors shut, and use air conditioning in both your home and car to keep pollen out.
• See your allergist early in the season.
• Seek immunotherapy, which uses injections or pills to target your specific allergy triggers and can greatly reduce the severity of your symptoms.
• Take prescribed allergy shots and pills
• Wash your hands after petting animals
• Use dust-and mite-proof bedding, and mattress covers
• Wear glasses outside to protect your eyes
• Take Antihistamines, Decongestants, Leukotriene inhibitors, Cromolyn sodium, eye drops, nasal steroid sprays (if deemed safe by the doctor)
• Avoid aerosol sprays, cold temperatures, humidity, irritating fumes, wood smoke and tobacco smoke which can worsen symptoms worse
• Note that allergies that occur in the spring (late April and May) are often due to tree pollen. So being aware of tree pollen in your surroundings is important. (ACAAI) notes, “To avoid pollen, know which pollens you are sensitive to and then check pollen counts. During tree and grass pollen season, levels are highest in the evening in spring and summer. In late summer and early fall, during ragweed pollen season, levels are highest in the morning.”