While some people feel joyous with the coming of winter or other seasons, others don’t. This is because no matter how much they love the season, it brings with it the dread of sneezing or coughing that they will have to endure. However, seasonal allergies are not as bad as you may think them to be and once you know the causes and symptoms, you can treat them effectively.

Causes of Seasonal Allergies

Seasonal allergies are also known as hay fever and affect one in five Americans. They occur due to the over reaction of the immune system towards an outdoor allergen which could be pollen. In fact, most wind pollinated plants such as trees and grass are the main reason behind seasonal allergies. While seasonal allergies are not as common in winters, how often they suffer from it, depends on a person’s immune system and the area where they live.

Symptoms of Seasonal Allergies

Symptoms of this condition are mild but they can also be severe in some people. Hay fever also triggers asthma attacks in some cases. The most common symptoms of seasonal allergies include a runny nose, constant sneezing, itchy eyes, throat or ears, watery eyes, postnasal drainage and ear congestion. Some people may also exhibit signs such as coughing, headaches, or shortness of breath in the case of seasonal allergies. It is important for everyone to pay attention to these signs when the weather changes and determine when their seasonal allergies symptoms are triggered.

Treatment Tips

Reduce Exposure

Once you know what triggers your allergies, the best way to curb them is to reduce your exposure to the stimulant. You can do this by avoiding pollen and staying inside during windy days. Doing gardening chores may also be the culprit and if that’s the reason, assign the task to someone else, take a shower when you come from the outside to rinse the pollen from your hair and skin or wear a dust mask when going outside.

Keep the Indoor Air Clean

Although outdoor air can cause allergies, the air inside your home can do the same too. It is thus, important to keep indoor air clean as well. This can be done using high efficiency filters in your home and keeping the air dry using a dehumidifier. Installing a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter in your bedroom may also help.

Consult an Allergist

There are many other over-the-counter medicines that are also available to treat your seasonal allergies but it is advisable not to use them without a recommendation from an allergist. The medicines should also, only be used if your condition is severe and affects your health significantly.

Otherwise, you can keep your allergies under control by following some simple steps and avoiding the cause of your allergy. It is nonetheless, important to get a proper diagnosis and treatment for hay fever from an allergist doctor. To book your appointment with a NYC allergist, contact us today at 212-319-5282.