What causes seasonal allergies in spring?
By
Staff, AccuWeather
Published Mar 25, 2020 8:21 PM EDT
Spring is in the air, but so are allergens. Here's why spring can be difficult for allergy sufferers.
There’s nothing better than the new life that buds in spring. The fragrant blossoms are an instant reminder of the beauty of nature. Unfortunately for millions of people around the world, seasonal allergies also kick into high gear during this time of year. The sneezing, coughing, runny nose, and congestion of sinus problems can be troublesome at best. Unless you want to line your yard with artificial flowers and turf, then you must learn to live in a world with allergens. So what causes these seasonal allergies anyway?
The official AccuWeather Spring 2020 allergy forecast is out and it’s a doozy. The team of AccuWeather meteorological experts predicts Spring 2020 will be absolutely brutal when it comes to allergies. Allergy sufferers in the East should brace for a long and severe season with predictions of above-average rainfall and near-average temperatures. These make conditions ripe for tree, weed, and grass pollen production.
Photo by GettyI mages
Getty Images
It’s hard to distinguish between spring allergies and the common cold. However, if you often get similar symptoms around the same time each year, then you can blame allergies. When the trees burst forth with new life, they release pollen into the air. You’ve probably heard a lot about pollen, but you likely have no clue what it truly looks like. Pollen is a small grain that is almost like a powder that floats in the air.
As different pollen counts in different regions of the US soar throughout the spring and into the summer, those who suffer from allergies are in for a particularly nasty season.
The plants release them, and the wind carries it throughout the atmosphere. The process of transferring it is necessary as it will cross-pollinate other plants to reproduce. Unfortunately, a high presence of pollen can wreak havoc on someone with asthma, hay fever, and eye allergies. Pollen gets on your skin and comes into your home. It goes into your nose, lungs, and eyes, and your body has an allergic reaction. Windy days are the worst time for a person with allergies to be outside, especially if it’s dry.
Photo by kie-ker
kie-ker from Pixabay
Your local weather forecast will update you if there is a lot of pollen in the air. If you suffer from season to season allergies, then you need to stay updated about the pollen counts. Officials can give you the current pollen levels, and they can also let you know the forecast for the anticipated future levels. Having these forecasts can help you prepare. They can also ensure that you have enough medications and that you have taken extra precautions.
Photo by Zane Lee
Zane Lee on Unsplash
When allergy season is in full swing, then you need to make sure you do some "spring" cleaning. There's nothing worse than itchy, watery eyes, and you can be proactive. First, if it’s windy outside, then you should stay in as much as possible. Rain helps to cleanse, and lower pollen counts from the air. However, on those dry and windy days, the pollen counts are always higher. If you need to be outside, try to pick a day that is less windy or right after the rain. Next, if you have hay fever and get that postnasal drip when you’re around grass, then have someone else handle the gardening.
The cedar tree forest appears to show thick clouds of smoke coming from the trees - but they are actually releasing pollen. The clip was captured on March 15 in Cannon County, Tennessee.
Even a simple task like pulling weeds can send your allergies into overdrive. Always remove any clothes that you’ve had on if you’ve been outside for extended periods. You easily transport pollen into your home and can make your allergies worse. While hanging laundry on a line to dry in the spring breeze is an economical way to do your wash, it’s not advantageous for those that suffer from allergies. Pollen will stick to everything hanging outside, and it can increase your allergy symptoms.
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio
Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels
Having an indoor filtration system is an excellent way to help cleanse the air. While there is nothing that is going to remove 100 percent of all the allergens, it can certainly give you better air quality. If you don’t have one of these systems, then you should run your AC unit in your home and car as much as possible. These systems circulate the air through filters and help to remove any toxins that lurk and reduce your air quality. There are many treatments on the market that can help with spring allergies. One of the best ways is to rinse your sinuses, which is also called nasal irrigation. Using distilled water can easily remove all the pollen and mucus trapped in your nasal cavities. If your allergy symptoms are interfering with your life, then you may need to see a doctor.
Photo by Ahmad Gunnaivi
ahmad gunnaivi on Unsplash
There’s nothing more miserable than coughing, sneezing, watering eyes, and trying to work and get a decent night’s sleep. Always listen to your local weather forecast to ensure you know the pollen counts and can be proactive in minimizing its effects.
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News / Health
What causes seasonal allergies in spring?
By Staff, AccuWeather
Published Mar 25, 2020 8:21 PM EDT
Spring is in the air, but so are allergens. Here's why spring can be difficult for allergy sufferers.
There’s nothing better than the new life that buds in spring. The fragrant blossoms are an instant reminder of the beauty of nature. Unfortunately for millions of people around the world, seasonal allergies also kick into high gear during this time of year. The sneezing, coughing, runny nose, and congestion of sinus problems can be troublesome at best. Unless you want to line your yard with artificial flowers and turf, then you must learn to live in a world with allergens. So what causes these seasonal allergies anyway?
The official AccuWeather Spring 2020 allergy forecast is out and it’s a doozy. The team of AccuWeather meteorological experts predicts Spring 2020 will be absolutely brutal when it comes to allergies. Allergy sufferers in the East should brace for a long and severe season with predictions of above-average rainfall and near-average temperatures. These make conditions ripe for tree, weed, and grass pollen production.
Photo by GettyI mages
Causes of spring allergies
It’s hard to distinguish between spring allergies and the common cold. However, if you often get similar symptoms around the same time each year, then you can blame allergies. When the trees burst forth with new life, they release pollen into the air. You’ve probably heard a lot about pollen, but you likely have no clue what it truly looks like. Pollen is a small grain that is almost like a powder that floats in the air.
As different pollen counts in different regions of the US soar throughout the spring and into the summer, those who suffer from allergies are in for a particularly nasty season.
The plants release them, and the wind carries it throughout the atmosphere. The process of transferring it is necessary as it will cross-pollinate other plants to reproduce. Unfortunately, a high presence of pollen can wreak havoc on someone with asthma, hay fever, and eye allergies. Pollen gets on your skin and comes into your home. It goes into your nose, lungs, and eyes, and your body has an allergic reaction. Windy days are the worst time for a person with allergies to be outside, especially if it’s dry.
Photo by kie-ker
Why are pollen counts so important?
Your local weather forecast will update you if there is a lot of pollen in the air. If you suffer from season to season allergies, then you need to stay updated about the pollen counts. Officials can give you the current pollen levels, and they can also let you know the forecast for the anticipated future levels. Having these forecasts can help you prepare. They can also ensure that you have enough medications and that you have taken extra precautions.
Photo by Zane Lee
How should I handle high pollen counts?
When allergy season is in full swing, then you need to make sure you do some "spring" cleaning. There's nothing worse than itchy, watery eyes, and you can be proactive. First, if it’s windy outside, then you should stay in as much as possible. Rain helps to cleanse, and lower pollen counts from the air. However, on those dry and windy days, the pollen counts are always higher. If you need to be outside, try to pick a day that is less windy or right after the rain. Next, if you have hay fever and get that postnasal drip when you’re around grass, then have someone else handle the gardening.
The cedar tree forest appears to show thick clouds of smoke coming from the trees - but they are actually releasing pollen. The clip was captured on March 15 in Cannon County, Tennessee.
Even a simple task like pulling weeds can send your allergies into overdrive. Always remove any clothes that you’ve had on if you’ve been outside for extended periods. You easily transport pollen into your home and can make your allergies worse. While hanging laundry on a line to dry in the spring breeze is an economical way to do your wash, it’s not advantageous for those that suffer from allergies. Pollen will stick to everything hanging outside, and it can increase your allergy symptoms.
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio
Indoor cleaning tips in spring season
Having an indoor filtration system is an excellent way to help cleanse the air. While there is nothing that is going to remove 100 percent of all the allergens, it can certainly give you better air quality. If you don’t have one of these systems, then you should run your AC unit in your home and car as much as possible. These systems circulate the air through filters and help to remove any toxins that lurk and reduce your air quality. There are many treatments on the market that can help with spring allergies. One of the best ways is to rinse your sinuses, which is also called nasal irrigation. Using distilled water can easily remove all the pollen and mucus trapped in your nasal cavities. If your allergy symptoms are interfering with your life, then you may need to see a doctor.
Photo by Ahmad Gunnaivi
There’s nothing more miserable than coughing, sneezing, watering eyes, and trying to work and get a decent night’s sleep. Always listen to your local weather forecast to ensure you know the pollen counts and can be proactive in minimizing its effects.
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