Spring is finally here! After a long winter, it’s terrific to finally open up those windows, take a deep breath of fresh air… and start to sneeze. Okay, the sneezing part isn’t so great. But there’s no denying the reality: allergy season is here.
In general, allergy season lasts from March through October of any given year. Does that mean you’ve got nine months of itchy eyes and runny nose to look forward to? Well, not necessarily. And there are a few reasons why you may have some relief to look forward to.
Seasonal allergies – what are they?
We are usually referencing seasonal allergies when we refer to “allergy season”. To better clarify what seasonal allergies are, let’s back up just a little and briefly discuss what causes allergies in general. Generally speaking, an allergic reaction occurs when your body mistakes a harmless substance for something hazardous and activates your immune system in an attempt to protect you.
Sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, runny nose, and other cold like symptoms, generally related to seasonal allergies, are usually the result. Depending on the allergen, people may also experience swelling, trouble breathing, or more severe symptoms.
The human body, obviously, has no limit to what it might be allergic to. But it’s fairly common for individuals to be allergic to outdoor particulates, such as pollen or mold spores. The term “seasonal allergies” relates to these pollens and spores that usually appear and cause symptoms on a seasonal basis (like spring for example).
How to plan for the 2022 allergy season
So what does the 2022 allergy season have in store for you? The simplest way to create realistic expectations might be to look at the year on a month-to-month basis.
Allergies in April
In April, it’s often the trees outside your house that are responsible for your sneezing and coughing. For many people, this is surprising because we don’t usually think of trees as generating anything other than, well, leaves. But do generate pollen.
Different species of trees will pollinate during different times of the spring, so if you find the first few weeks of spring particularly difficult, it’s because you might be allergic to Ash trees or Maple trees, and that determines when you begin sneezing. Usually, the best way to manage your symptoms during this time is to monitor the daily pollen count (usually you can find this on any weather app or the local news) and stay indoors when the count gets too high.
Allergies in May and June
The next group of allergenic plants normally begin flowering in May and June. Grasses and flowers are typically the sources of these pollens. These pollens are widespread and potent, mostly due to the amount of rain that falls in April, May and June. You will likely have protracted symptoms in May and June if you’re allergic to any of these flowering plants or grasses.
Try to get any outside work accomplished in the morning or evening as these pollen counts have a tendency to reach a peak in the early afternoon.
In July, you might get some respite
It’s dryer in July generally speaking. So your allergies may take a rest for a while. This will, naturally, depend on local weather patterns during any given year. This means that July will probably be the best time to plan that family reunion.
August through October allergies
Don’t get used to the allergy level in July though. Because ragweed peaks in August. Also referred to as “hay fever,” ragweed allergies are incredibly common.
Additionally, ragweed has a tendency to last a while. This allergen sticks around sometimes through October. Of course, there are other allergens that stay around until there’s a frost on the ground. Mold allergens can also be rather persistent at this time of year, too.
How to combat seasonal allergies
Managing your seasonal allergies can be challenging. You can try to use the timing of your symptoms to figure out which specific pollens are making you sneeze and itch. But you might have to call us for a consultation to really determine the cause of your allergies.
Still, you can decide how to structure your year by knowing what time of the year certain allergies peak. This will be as true for future allergy seasons as it is for the 2022 season. Stay tuned to your local weather patterns because there will be minor fluctuations from year to year (it seems like the allergy season is getting more extreme and longer all of the time).
Just because you deal with seasonal allergies doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the great outdoors. But an antihistamine and a little planning will go a long way.
References
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/allergies/symptoms-causes/syc-20351497#:~:text=Common%20allergy%20triggers%20include%3A,from%20a%20bee%20or%20wasp