Seasonal Allergies
What are Seasonal Allergies?
An allergy (atopy) is hypersensitivity of the immune system, where the immune system reacts adversely to substances known as allergens. These reactions are quick and sometimes predicable. Certain white blood cells called mast cells and antibodies called Immunoglobulin E (IgE) react with an extreme inflammatory response to allergens. Allergies can be caused by reactions to environment, reaction to medications or to foodstuff. Like other problems of an abnormal immune-system response, allergies tend to be hereditary where more than one member of a family is affected by the disease.
A Seasonal Allergy is an allergic reaction to a trigger that is typically only present in a particular season, e.g. spring or fall. This type of allergy refers to a pollen allergy, such as from trees, weeds and grasses; or spores from molds. Pollens are minute, powder-like particles released from flowering plants into the air by wind or by insects for reproductive purposes. The pollen in the air can enter a person’s eyes, nose, lungs or settle on skin to immediately produce an allergic reaction. Levels of pollen in the air are highest between 5AM and 10AM and especially in these two seasons.
Symptoms of Seasonal Allergies
Typically, the symptoms of allergic reaction begin 5 to 10 minutes after exposure to the allergen and subside within an hour. They may recur after two to three hours.
The common symptoms of Seasonal Allergies are:
01) Runny nose
02) Sneezing
03) Red, itchy, watery eyes
04) Itchy throat
05) Dry cough (non-exudative)
06) Sleeplessness (insomnia)
07) Impaired taste and smell
08) Chest congestion
09) Headache
10) Wheezing (heavy and laborious breathing).
In some cases symptoms may include:
1) Allergic Conjunctivitis – inflamed, red, watery eyes, occurring due to viral infection in most cases.
2) Allergic rhinitis – this is caused by airborne pollens of specific seasonal plants in people who are allergic to these substances. It is characterized by sneezing, runny nose and itching eyes. This is commonly known as ‘hay fever’ because it is prevalent during haying season. It is particularly prevalent from late May to the end of June (in the Northern Hemisphere). However, it is possible to suffer from hay fever throughout the year.
3) Allergic asthma - this is a very common chronic respiratory disorder, where tobacco smoke or environmental allergens produce an immunological reaction. This results in inflammation and fluid accumulation in the lungs and poor inhalation-exhalation process.
Diagnosis of Seasonal Allergies
Diagnosis of seasonal allergies follows a sequence:
Medical history: Before any tests are undertaken, the allergist needs to know if there are other circumstances for the symptoms like pets in the house, smokers in the house, any other medications taken by the patient, etc.
Physical examination: This helps the doctor to rule out mechanical or physical abnormalities that may cause the symptoms. A bright light and nasal speculum are used to check for nasal obstruction.
Radioallergosorbent test (RAST): A radioallergosorbent test (RAST) is a blood test for allergies. The sample of blood is exposed to different allergens such as animal dander, grasses, mites or insects. Allergen-specific IgE antibodies in the blood sample will attach to a substance if the patient is allergic to that allergen. A radioactive chemical is used in testing to help measure the results.
Allergy skin tests: Testing begins with the prick, puncture or scratch method, which involves the placing a drop of the allergen, like extracts of pet dander, pollens, etc on the skin. These are available commercially specially for testing purposes. This testing is not painful and no bleeding is involved since it is only a superficial scratch. The test then takes about 15 minutes to develop and show results. A positive skin test will appear like a mosquito bite or bump.
Causes of Seasonal Allergies
A) Springtime allergy causes: Spring allergies occur when the trees start pollinating in the spring season, i.e. anytime from January to April, depending on the geographical location. Trees which can cause severe allergies are olive, birch, poplar, maple, walnut, etc and also some weeds.
B) Summertime allergy causes: Grass pollen is the main cause of early summer allergies. Grasses can be divided into two major classes. Northern grasses are common in colder climates like red top, timothy, blue grasses, rye, etc. Southern grasses are present in warmer climates like Bermuda grass.
C) Fall allergies: In the early fall weed pollen is the main cause of seasonal allergy. Depending on the geographical location these weeds include ragweed, pigweed, sagebrush, Russian thistle, etc.
Types of Seasonal Allergies
Seasonal Allergies can be classified into two types – mild and severe. The basic symptoms will remain the same but the severity of the symptoms will vary. In the case of conjunctivitis, asthma and hay fever just a few of the symptoms given above would be additional.
Treatment of Seasonal Allergies
A) Herbs:
1) Nettle (Urtica dioica) has been used for treatment for seasonal allergies since historical times.
2) Ephedra sinicia, also called ma-huang, is found in common remedies like pseudoephedrine. Its basic name is ephedrine. It is a Chinese herb used for treating bronchial and inflammatory disorders and asthma.
3) Echinacea purpurea is an herb that is used as an immunity-enhancing supplementary medication. It increases the production of a number of T-cells and their distribution in the blood.
4) Garlic (Allium sativum) is known as “Russian 
penicillin” where it was once used to treat respiratory disorders in hospitals. Tablets of dried and powdered garlic are effective because of the herb’s immune-boosting qualities.
Caution: Garlic and other alliums can raise or lower blood sugar levels. Ephedra increases the blood pressure and can cause excitability in some patients. Both remedies must be tried under medical supervision.
B) Other medications:
1) Antihistamines: Over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines like diphenhydramine and clemastine help to stop the itching and sneezing. But side effects are dry mouth and dizziness.
2) Decongestants: A nasal decongestant such as pseudoephedrine clears a stuffy nose caused by allergies. Insomnia, restlessness and difficulty in urinating are some possible side effects.
3) Immunotherapy: Allergy shots or a series of injections can make the patient less sensitive to the effects of pollen by helping the immune system from becoming more resistant to it. This involves injecting small amounts of the specific allergen which a person is allergic to, and gradually increasing the dose so that they can develop immunity for it. This is given on a regular basis (determined by your allergist) over the next three to five years.
Caution: Pregnant women and lactating mothers should consult their doctors before using allergy medications as they may pass through the placenta or breast milk to the child.
Living with Seasonal Allergies
Although Seasonal Allergies are not life-threatening in most cases, they can be very uncomfortable and can adversely affect the patient’s daily activities. The average age when allergies begin is 10 years. Seasonal allergy does not seem to discriminate between men and women or ethnic background and it affects people of all races. Allergies caused by pollen and other allergens affect 40 million Americans and cost more than $1 billion in annual treatment costs in the U.S.
The symptoms like sneezing, cough, watering of eyes, etc cause the patient a lot of discomfort. This reduces the quality of life as long as the symptoms (seasonal) last. Also, identifying the actual, individual allergen which is causing the symptoms may take a few weeks and till then, the symptoms can be quite intolerable.
Prevention of Seasonal Allergies
Unlike allergies from pet danger and dust mites, it is more difficult to prevent seasonal allergies that are caused by pollen, as pollen is usually present in the air in certain seasons. But repeat episodes of the symptoms can be prevented by certain measures:
a) Windows should be kept closed to prevent pollen drifting in with the breeze.
b) Avoiding early morning walks as pollen is emitted the most between 5AM and 10AM.
c) Keeping the car windows closed when traveling helps.
d) Staying indoors on windy days when pollen count may be higher also is advisable.
e) Taking a vacation and going away during pollination season can also help.
f) Drying the laundry indoors in machines is better than drying in the open as pollen may collect on the wet clothes.
g) Run the air conditioners in your house and car.
h) Replace carpeting with laminate flooring as carpets may collect deposits of pollen and spread in the house.
