Allergic reactions caused by seasonal changes can be easily distinguished by studying the symptoms shown.  Sneezing, hives, wheezing, congested nose, itchy eyes etc are the usual spring allergy symptoms. Hay fever is not a fever caused by hay. A well known allergy specialist has ascertained that it is only a form of allergy caused by weeds that pollinate. Or simply, it is one of the many kinds of allergies known as seasonal allergies.

Doctors and researchers like to call hay fever or the so called spring allergies by a scientific term ‘allergic rhinitis’. About 8 % of the grownups and about 9% of the children in America are subjected to seasonal allergies as per the report of a scientific study conducted in the year 2012. This rises to a whopping 20-30 % when worldwide population is taken into consideration.

Symptoms of allergies

Symptoms of seasonal allergies may seem like that of cold. But, they appear when a person encounters pollen which is the allergen. Symptoms of cold like itchy nose, Itchy ears, sneezing, irritability, hoarseness etc appear. In addition, cough, postnasal drip, headaches, reduced sense of smell, snoring, sleep apnea etc are also shown as symptoms. The symptoms can be considered as the outcome of the body’s self defense mechanism producing antibodies to keep the foreign materials out of the body. Actually, harmless materials like pollen, pet dander, dust etc are considered as harmful by mistake resulting in allergic reactions.

Dr. Jordan Josepson, a well known allergist near me is of the opinion that children start experiencing food allergy known as eczema etc before developing seasonal allergies. This worsens over the years and indoor allergens like dust, pet dander, ragweed, grass pollen etc starts taking their toll.

Common seasonal allergens

Pollen is the most common allergen. It is a powder like substance released by plants in spring season. In the pollination season billions of microscopic pollen fill the air. Weeds pollinate towards the end of the summer. Ragweed is the most volatile of the many kinds of weeds. Most allergist near me testify pollen can travel hundreds of miles and causing allergic reactions wherever they go.

Mold is another common allergen.  It is spore that grows on dead leaves and rotten logs. Molds thrive in seasons which are moist and rainy.  Allergens are released usually in the morning and they travel best in warm breezy days.