How does weather affect allergies? (2024)

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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.

How does weather affect allergies? (1)

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

How does weather affect allergies? (2024)

FAQs

How does weather affect allergies? ›

Interestingly enough, the nature of weather within seasons can also affect how bad your allergic reactions will be. For example, wet winters enable trees and plants to produce more pollen, which then make pollen allergies in the spring and summer worse.

How does the environment affect allergies? ›

Environmental allergies cause your immune system to react to normally harmless substances. Common causes include pollen, dust, mold and pet dander. Symptoms include congestion, itchy nose, fatigue, headache, watery eyes and sneezing.

Is warmer weather better for allergies? ›

Scientists have reported that warming temperatures and other environmental factors have made seasonal allergens such as tree pollen, mold, and other spores worse over the past several decades.

Why are allergies so bad this year 2024? ›

Climate change. "There's higher amounts of pollen due to rising greenhouse gasses and more CO2 in the air, which plants thrive off of," Parikh tells CNBC Make It.

Is rainy weather bad for allergies? ›

Additionally, allergens such as dust mites and mold grow in damp conditions. Rainy weather can increase the number of these allergens both indoors and outdoors. This can lead to increased allergy symptoms. Rain also leads to many people spending the day inside.

What makes allergies worse? ›

Weather changes can affect pollen levels, which in turn affect allergy symptoms. With warmer temperatures, comes an increase in spring pollen levels. Changes in air pressure also have an effect, as the amount of pollen that moves from the upper to the lower atmosphere varies based on air pressure.

What do allergies mainly affect? ›

Mostly, the part of the body the allergen touches affects what symptoms you develop. For example: Allergens that you breathe in often cause a stuffy nose, itchy nose and throat, mucus, cough, and wheezing.

Who does allergies affect the most? ›

About one quarter (25.7%) of adults have a seasonal allergy, 7.3% have eczema, and 6.2% have a food allergy. White, Non-Hispanic adults are more likely to have a seasonal allergy (28.4%) compared to Black, non-Hispanic (24%); Hispanic (18.8%) and Asian, non-Hispanic (17.0%) adults.

How do allergies affect life? ›

Allergy symptoms, which depend on the substance involved, can affect your airways, sinuses and nasal passages, skin, and digestive system. Allergic reactions can range from mild to severe. In some severe cases, allergies can trigger a life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis.

Do allergies get worse with age? ›

Changes in the Immune System: As we age, our immune system begins to weaken. This can make it more difficult for the body to fight off allergies. This means that older adults are more likely to experience allergic reactions to everyday substances like pollen and dust.

What climate is best for allergies? ›

A dry climate is also favorable for people with pollen allergies since pollinating plants need water to grow and spread. Altitude is another factor that limits pollen production.

Is heat or AC better for allergies? ›

Because air conditioning units help filter the air in your space, they can remove the most common allergens found in homes and offices, and provide additional benefits.

What states have the worst allergies? ›

Worst Cities and States for Allergies

States with a lot of trees, grass, and weeds will have a lot of allergens. Areas in the Northeast U.S. like Pennsylvania, New York, and Connecticut. Virginia, Kansas, and Texas have a high rate of allergens.

Why are allergies worse at night? ›

Allergen exposure, lying down, and humidifier use can all be why your allergies worsen at night. What's more, allergies are linked to sleep problems in general, including sleep apnea. There are many ways to get allergy relief at night, like moving a pet to another room to sleep or using an air purifier.

Why does everyone have allergies now? ›

A leading theory behind the rising allergy and asthma diagnosis rates is the "hygiene hypothesis." This theory suggests that living conditions in much of the world might be too clean and that kids aren't being exposed to germs that train their immune systems to tell the difference between harmless and harmful irritants ...

Does going outside make allergies worse? ›

To reduce your exposure to the things that trigger your allergy signs and symptoms (allergens): Stay indoors on dry, windy days. The best time to go outside is after a good rain, which helps clear pollen from the air. Avoid lawn mowing, weed pulling and other gardening chores that stir up allergens.

Is climate change making my allergies worse? ›

Higher temperatures, changes in precipitation, increased carbon dioxide levels, and changes in plant growth patterns all contribute to a longer and more intense allergy season. For example, higher carbon dioxide levels increase pollen levels and pollen potency.

Does high humidity make allergies worse? ›

Then you should know how high outdoor and indoor moisture levels can make your allergies act up big time. Whether you deal with a runny nose, breathing issues, watery eyes, incessant sneezing, or even skin reactions, high humidity can potentially aggravate your symptoms.

Why do storms make my allergies worse? ›

Since rain does promote the growth of plants (like weeds or grasses), it also makes way for damp conditions where mold and mildew thrive. When heavier rainstorms occur, the force of falling rain can splinter clumps of pollen into many, smaller groupings that can spread more rapidly.

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