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You can suffer from seasonal allergies all year round with a lot of unpleasant symptoms, especially at the time of season change. Although allergies caused by weather do not affect health too much, it makes daily life and work more difficult for patients.
1. Symptoms of seasonal allergies
The most common symptom of seasonal allergies is allergic rhinitis. Allergic rhinitis occurs when your immune system overreacts to an outdoor allergen. Allergens will affect the body, causing allergic reactions. The most common allergens are pollen from wind-pollinated plants, such as trees, grasses, and weeds. Pollen from insect-pollinated plants is heavy enough to last long in the air, and they are less likely to cause allergic reactions.
Seasonal allergies are less common in winter, but you can get allergic rhinitis year-round. Depending on your allergen and where you live, you can have seasonal allergies. You can also react to allergens in your home, such as mold or pet dander like dogs or cats...
The relationship between allergy symptoms and the weather depends on what causes it. you are allergic. Here are the most common mild to severe seasonal allergy symptoms:
Sneezing; Runny or stuffy nose; Watery eyes, itchy eyes; Inflammation of the sinuses, throat or ears; Ear infections. Less common symptoms include:
Headache; Shortness of breath; Wheezing; Many people with seasonal allergies are also prone to asthma. If you have seasonal allergic rhinitis, you may also have asthma caused by seasonal allergens.
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2. Causes of seasonal allergies
Seasonal allergies occur due to a disorder of the body's immune system. Therefore, it will appear allergic reactions, a series of antibodies, chemical substances are born to fight the irritating factors from the outside environment, causing harm to the body. One of the important activities in the immune system is the production of histamine, which also has a certain influence on allergies.
The causes of allergic rhinitis (the most common symptom when you have seasonal allergies) change from season to season.
The relationship between allergy symptoms and weather depends on what triggers your allergies:
Dry, windy days. Wind blows pollen into the air, causing hay fever. If you have a pollen allergy, close the windows and stay indoors on windy days. Rainy or wet days. Humidity causes mold to grow, both indoors and outdoors. Dust mites also thrive in humid air. But if you are allergic to pollen, wet days will make you feel more comfortable, allergies are also greatly reduced because moisture reduces pollen, keeping it on the ground. Cold . Many people with allergic asthma find cold air a problem, especially when they exercise outside. It can trigger a cough. Temperature: on hot summer days, environmental pollution becomes even more serious. Ozone and smog can be a serious trigger for people with allergic asthma. The change of seasons also has a big effect on allergies.
Spring . In a cooler state, plants begin to release pollen in February or March. Pollen is also a common allergy trigger. Summer . In early summer, grass pollen can trigger a response. Fall . The cold weather in the fall can cause your body to suffer from Winter allergies. Indoor allergens such as pet dander and dust mites can become a problem during the winter. Because when it's cold, you spend more time indoors. Here are some tips to get rid of common allergens in your home:
Wash your bedding in very hot water at least once a week. Cover your bed and pillows with hypoallergenic covers. Fixing water leaks and cleaning up water damage can help mold and pests thrive. Clean moldy surfaces and any places where mold can form, including humidifiers, air conditioners, and refrigerators. Use a dehumidifier to reduce excess moisture. Clean carpets and furniture in the house Regularly wash toys like stuffed animals
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3. Weather allergy treatment
There is no way to avoid a change in weather, which means you can be allergic to this change. However, you can take some steps to relieve allergy symptoms :
Pay attention to the weather : Check for local pollen and mold counts. Ozone action day tracking. Spend less time outside when you are likely to have problems. Prepare for allergies: If you have the same allergy around the same time each year — ragweed in the fall or pollen in the spring — get over it. Ask your doctor if you can start taking allergy medicine about 2 weeks before you normally start sneezing, coughing, or itching. That way, you can stop them before they start. Take control of your environment. You can't change what happens outside, but you do have some control over the conditions in your home. Use an air conditioner to filter mold and pollen. Use a dehumidifier to avoid the growth of mold and dust mites. Appreciate Your Allergies: Don't speculate on what's causing your allergies. See your doctor for an allergy skin test, which can show you exactly what's causing your symptoms. Once you receive your results, you may consider asking about immunotherapy, such as injections. They can help control your allergies no matter the weather or season. If you have allergy symptoms that only occur at certain times of the year, that's a sign you have seasonal allergic rhinitis. Your doctor may also examine your ears, nose, and throat to make a diagnosis.
Allergy testing is not usually needed. Your treatment for allergic rhinitis will likely be the same, no matter what type of allergy you have. Also to be aware, at the time of year when your allergic rhinitis is active you should:
Close your windows; Limit time outdoors; Consider wearing a dust mask when you are outdoors, especially on windy days. It's important to avoid secondhand smoke, as it can aggravate allergy symptoms.
When you cannot avoid allergens, other treatments may be used, including:
Over-the-counter decongestants and allergy medications, such as cetirizine (Zyrtec) and medications combination containing acetaminophen, diphenhydramine, and phenylephrine Prescription drugs, such as steroid nasal sprays
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In severe cases, your doctor may recommend allergy shots. This is a type of immunotherapy that can help desensitize your immune system to allergens.
Some allergy medicines can have unwanted side effects, such as drowsiness, dizziness and confusion.
At Vinmec International General Hospital, there is a package of examination and advice on treatment of atopic dermatitis for all customers of all ages. Customers at risk such as allergies, affected by ambient conditions such as weather, climate, humidity, pets...will be examined and tested including:
Examination Specialist in Dermatology Perform tests such as: quantification of IgE, fresh mycobacteria, specific IgE for respiratory and food allergens (Panel 1 Viet), Rida Allergy Screen test (panel 1). )...
Please dialHOTLINEfor more information or register for an appointment HERE.Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.
References: Webmd.com and Healthline.com