Environmental allergies can happen any time of year, depending on what you are allergic to, but they generally come in the spring and in the fall.
Allergies come from your immune system's overreaction to a substance that it deems as dangerous to your health.
Scientists believe that allergies are very specific to each individual because they have a genetic component as well as an environmental component.
With environmental allergic reactions, your immune system falsely believes that the pollen or mold spores are dangerous to your health, and your immune system gears up to fight off the intruder.
Allergies make us feel miserable because they create symptoms in our body. The overreaction can show up as mild symptoms of a runny nose, itchy eyes, sneezing or itching. Your skin can be affected by such symptoms as itching or a rash. Or symptoms can be more severe like an asthma attack!
Here are the most common culprits during each season:
Spring Allergies
According to the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America, “It’s spring and more than 45 million Americans with seasonal nasal allergies are expecting – and dreading – runny and congested noses, inflamed sinuses, relentless sneezing and other symptoms associated with springtime allergies.”
Spring allergies tend to come at the change of season and can last up to a few months, or for the entire season. Pollen from trees and plants cause most of the allergies in the spring.
Summer Allergies
In summe,r pollen seems to still be a large problem for people with allergies. Summer allergies are due to weeds like ragweed, cockleweed, pigweed, Russian thistle, sagebrush and tumbleweed.
Grasses, such as Bermuda, blue grasses, orchard, red top, sweet vernal and Timothy, are also a problem. Dust mites can show up in the summer. Air pollution can be a problem too. Don’t forget about insects causing allergies as well.
Fall Allergies
Ragweed is the biggest culprit for fall allergies. This happens around September or October. Mold also shows up in the fall, especially on leaves in wet weather. Dust mites can also show up in the fall.
Winter Allergies
This is the time indoor allergies flare up. Dust mites can rear up again. Mold can be a problem too, especially in basements and bathrooms. Pet dander can cause a problem because of being in enclosed spaces for extended periods.
Allergies can make you feel horrible. Knowing that you have seasonally allergies is the first step to being able to find relief.
There are many natural options that are very effective. To find out more about them visit my website, www.HealthyDaes.com.
Live Vibrantly,
Dr. Dae
Dr. Dae's website: www.healthydaes.com
Dr. Dae's book: Daelicious! Recipes for Vibrant Living can be purchased @ www.healthydaes.com
Dr. Dae's Bio:
Dr. Daemon Jones is your diabetes reversal, hormones, metabolism and weight loss expert. Dr. Dae is a naturopathic doctor who treats patients all over the country using Skype and phone appointments. Visit her or schedule a free consultation at her website www.HealthyDaes.org
Sources:
"A Cold or Allergies: Which Is It? ." KidsHealth - the Web's most visited site about children's health. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 May. 2015.
http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/allergies/coldvsallergy.html
"Allergy: MedlinePlus." National Library of Medicine - National Institutes of Health. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 May. 2015.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/allergy.html
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America - Information About Asthma, Allergies, Food Allergies and More! (n.d.). Retrieved May 13, 2015.
http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&sub=33
Learn More About Winter Allergies. WebMd. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
http://www.webmd.com/allergies/guide/winter-allergies
Fall Allergies. WebMd. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
http://www.webmd.com/allergies/guide/fall-allergy-relief
Spring Allergies. WebMd. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
http://www.webmd.com/allergies/guide/spring-allergies
Summer Allergies. WebMd. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
http://www.webmd.com/allergies/guide/summer-allergies
Reviewed May 14, 2015
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith