As the seasons change, seasonal allergy symptoms can often become a problem, but telling apart allergies from colds can be confusing, especially if those allergies are new to you. For some people allergies are worse than for others, and an over-the-counter drug just won't cut it. Many people find relief in allergy medication prescribed by their physicians, while others turn to more holistic methods of healing, and aim for a drug-free treatment of these allergies. Whichever way you choose to treat your symptoms, first you must be able to define them.
Spring Allergies:
Spring is a terrible time for those who suffer from seasonal allergy symptoms because as the flowers begin to blossom and trees come into full bloom pollen begins to fly about and go airborne. This will cause sniffling, sneezing, coughing, puffy eyes, and runny noses. More than 35 million people in the United States suffer from seasonal allergies like this and the main reason for all of these sniffling and sneezing are the tiny grains of pollen that are released by plants and weeds. The human immune system mistakes pollen as a germ or a kind of foreign invader and releases antibodies, which leads to all of those runny noses and itchy eyes. Ragweed, cockleweed and pigweed are among the worst offenders.
Autumn or Fall Allergies:
In the fall, ragweed is the worst offender, and similar to spring and summer, seasonal allergy symptoms sometimes stem from the pollen floating around and getting into your nose and mouth. Mold is another major cause of these symptoms in the fall, and can lead to headaches, sore throats, and runny or stuffy noses. This can be caused by dampness in or outside of your house. You may smell it in the air as you walk through a forest laden with wet leaves and brush.
Winter Allergies:
In the cold of the winter, most people blast the furnace to warm the house, and while this can certainly beat the heat it also sends up tons of dust, mold spores, bits and pieces of dead insects, and anything else that is hiding in your air ducts. The best weapon against this is to clean out your vents properly before turning the heater on. Mold is another problem at this time of the year and between the dust and the mold, itchy eyes, runny noses, sneezing, and headaches will run wild. You may also find yourself breaking out into rashes and finding itchy patches of skin due to dryness, and irritation that can be caused by dust mites and animal dander as your pets begin to shed.
Most people assume that the worst seasonal allergy symptoms are brought on during the spring, but for some, the fall and winter can be the worst time of the year for itchiness, difficulty breathing, and uncomfortable nights of sleeplessness. If you find yourself suffering from any of the above symptoms you should consult with your doctor about your options. Sometimes there are ways that you can remove these allergens from your home and garden, and find some relief without medicating.