Allergy Season Lasts Longer Than You Think. While most people look forward to the arrival of spring, many of those who suffer from allergies dread it. That's because spring is when most seasonal allergies occur. However, depending on what triggers your allergy symptoms, "seasonal" allergies can last all year.
Warmer Weather = Higher Risk
Allergy season begins to peak as the weather begins to warm and winter comes to a close. When allergy season arrives, increased levels of pollen, mold, and other outdoor eye allergens arrive with it. In theory, it lasts all the way through the year, but is at its height during the spring.Allergy Season and Plant Life
Various types of plants release allergens at different times of the year. Those who suffer from allergies should therefore avoid certain plant life at particular times during the eye allergy season. For instance, during the fall allergy season, ragweed is considered one of the most common allergens. Therefore, during the fall those sensitive should try and avoid areas that have a high level of ragweed. However, keep in mind that substances such as pollen travel in the wind and can drift hundreds of miles. Thus, even if you avoid certain plant life, you may still have a reaction.Allergy Season - Tips to Moderate Exposure
By limiting exposure to pollens, molds, and other allergens during the height of eye allergy season, you may be able to avoid or reduce the intensity of your allergic reactions. Here are a few basic guidelines to follow:
■Avoid going outdoors between the hours of 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. During these hours of allergy season, pollen counts are at their highest.
■If you need to be outdoors during the times when pollen counts are high, wear a filter mask in order to limit inhalation of the substances.
■Run an air conditioner to keep humidity levels low when indoors and at night. Ensure that the air conditioner's filter is changed on a regular basis, optimally every 30 days.
■When you return from the outdoors during allergy season, take a shower and change your clothes right away. This will ensure that the substances are removed from your skin, hair, and clothing.
■While driving during allergy season, keep car windows closed and run the car's air conditioner.
■Avoid using outdoor clothing lines to dry clothes during allergy season. Instead opt for an indoor clothes rack or use a dryer.
Allergy Season - Tips to Moderate Symptoms
Despite your best efforts to limit your exposure to allergens, allergy symptoms may still take hold of you during heavy allergy months. To help control your symptoms and enjoy the fall and spring seasons, prescription allergy treatments and allergy medications, are available for rapid and effective relief from itching due to allergy eyes.
Seasonal allergies impact those who are susceptible only during certain months of the year. Most sufferers of seasonal allergies typically have their strongest allergic reactions during the spring and fall months. However, depending on a person's allergy sensitivity, he or she may feel symptoms year-round.
Those who suffer seasonal allergies tend to react to the following:
■Spring: tree pollen
■Summer: grass pollen
■Fall: ragweed and other flower pollens
■Winter: tree pollen
When these plants cease pollination, those who are allergic will no longer feel their effects.Seasonal Allergies - How They Differ From Perennial
■Unlike perennial, or year-round allergies, seasonal allergies are caused only by plant life that releases substances such as pollen into the air during certain months of the year.
■Allergens found inside the home, such as dust mites, animal hair, and mold are the chief causes of perennial allergies. Since allergic people are exposed to these substances on a daily basis, their condition lasts all year, not just certain months.
■Unlike seasonal allergens, many of the perennial allergens can be removed from the home by vacuuming, cleaning, and using protective covers for upholstery and bedding.
■Seasonal allergies can only be controlled, not avoided or eliminated.
■Although seasonal allergies only impact those susceptible for certain months of the year, the degree to which people suffer from seasonal allergies is typically greater. In other words, those who have perennial allergy symptoms generally exhibit milder symptoms than those who deal with seasonal allergies.
Some people suffer from both seasonal and perennial allergies. Most of these people exhibit intense allergy symptoms during the spring, summer, and fall months. The symptoms of both seasonal and perennial allergies are basically the same. In regard to vision and the eyes, both types cause the person to have itchy, red, watery eyes and often very swollen eyelids. Seasonal Allergies - What to Avoid
Those who suffer from seasonal allergies should attempt to avoid the following allergens:
■Trees - ash, birch, elm, hickory, maple, oak, poplar, sycamore, and walnut
■Grasses - bermuda, orchard, red top, sweet vernal, and timothy
■Weeds - pigweed, ragweed, Russian thistle, sagebrush, and tumbleweed
■Molds - alternaria, aspergillus, and cladosporium
By avoiding these types of plant life during allergy season, allergy sufferers can help manage the severity of their allergy symptoms.
However, if one is outdoors at all during the allergy season, avoidance of pollen is often impossible or impractical. You may wish to speak with your healthcare provider about allergy eye treatments, which can provide quick relief from itchy allergy eyes with convenient once-a-day dosing.
