Everyone has encountered allergies at some time or the other. Allergies are the body’s abnormal response to usually harmless substances. Many people are prone to seasonal allergies like hay fever. However, hay fever can occur in more than one season. Also termed ‘allergic rhinitis’, it triggers cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes, congestion and sinus pressure. Unlike a cold, a virus doesn’t cause hay fever. Instead, it’s an allergic reaction to some harmless outdoor or indoor substance that the body considers harmful. People prone to hay fever could also have asthma. Those with both conditions will find seasonal allergens causing an asthma attack.
Although seasonal allergies may be uncommon in winter, one could experience hay fever throughout the year. This is because hay fever can be caused by plant pollen and dust mites. Since diverse plants emit pollen at various times each year, people allergic to them could experience hay fever in multiple seasons. Indoor allergens such as pet dander or moulds could also trigger allergic reactions at any time of the year.
Some Symptoms
Allergy symptoms may be mild or even life-threatening. The symptoms may depend on the allergy’s cause. Besides other elements, foods, inhalants, medicines and pets may also cause allergic reactions.
Eggs, milk, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, soy and shellfish are some common food allergies. With food, an allergic reaction can occur when the body releases certain antibodies to counter a specific food. In such cases, the allergic reaction will happen within minutes of food consumption, resulting in mild or severe symptoms. These may include itching all over the body; itching in certain parts of the body only; hives; nausea and vomiting; and swelling around the mouth (tongue, throat or face).
Perennial Allergens
Inhalant allergies are caused by airborne substances one inhales. Such allergens could be perennial (throughout the year) or seasonal. These symptoms could comprise a runny, stuffy or itchy nose; sneezing; and itchy, watery eyes. If a person has asthma, inhalant allergies may trigger or worsen symptoms that include shortness of breath and wheezing.
Pets, dust mites, cockroaches and moulds are among the perennial allergens. Some proteins in animal fur, dander (skin), urine and saliva constitute pet allergens. As for dust mites, these are minuscule, eight-legged creatures related to spiders. Too small to detect with the naked eye, mites live in the fibre and dust of household items such as mattresses, pillows, carpets, upholstery, etc. Cockroaches cause allergies through their faeces, eggs, saliva and dead body parts. Moulds are tiny fungus. As their spores float in the air much like pollen, it causes allergies.
How to Diagnose Seasonal Allergies
Compared to other allergies, it’s much easier to diagnose hay fever. If one displays allergic symptoms only during certain periods of the year, it could indicate hay fever. The doctor will make a diagnosis by examining one’s ears, nose and throat. Irrespective of the type of allergen causing the reaction, allergic rhinitis will likely have the same treatment.
How to Treat Allergies
Avoiding allergens that trigger symptoms remains the first line of treatment for hay fever and allied allergies. Hay fever and similar allergies can also be treated with certain medications. Treatments can include antihistamines, nasal steroids, decongestants, asthma medications and immunotherapy. These include over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. However, some medications such as steroid nasal sprays can only be taken on the doctor’s prescription.
If symptoms are severe, the doctor could recommend an allergy injection. A form of immunotherapy, this will help desensitise one’s immune system to the allergens. Some drugs for allergies could lead to side effects such as confusion, drowsiness and dizziness.
Standard Precautions
With allergies, avoidance is the best way to prevent them. For example, instead of ceiling fans, one could use air-conditioners with a HEPA filter to keep the home cool in summer. Staying indoors is advisable on windy days since pollen counts may be high. If a person is affected by hay fever at specific times of the year, it’s best to keep the windows shut, limit outdoor time and wear a medical mask before stepping out, particularly when it is windy. Also, drive in cars with the air-conditioner running. Ensure air-conditioners and heaters undergo periodic maintenance to keep their filters clean. Indoor air can be kept dry by using a dehumidifier. Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter regularly to keep home and office floors clean.
As a rule of thumb, also avoid cigarette smoke since this is known to aggravate symptoms of hay fever. Other smoke, cleaning products, perfumes and strong odours can also trigger allergic rhinitis
People with inhalant allergies should rinse their nasal passages using a saline solution. Called nasal irrigation, this is a speedy, effective and inexpensive means of relieving nasal congestion. Rinsing the nasal passage will flush out mucus and allergens directly from the nose. Saline solutions are available in the market or could be made at home by using non-iodised salt. Use filtered or bottled water to avoid the risk of infection.
Consult the Doctor for Long-term Prevention
The above methods should be sufficient to mitigate symptoms. If seasonal allergies are still a problem, it is best to consult your doctor, who will recommend certain skin or blood tests to determine the precise allergens triggering the symptoms. Testing will help understand what steps must be taken to avoid the identified triggers and also decide the treatment that will work best.
As stated earlier, allergy shots (immunotherapy) can also be taken. Herein, regular injections with tiny quantities of the allergic substance can help counteract the allergy.
Symptoms of allergies, seasonal or otherwise, can be disturbing. If you suspect a seasonal allergy, it’s best to consult your doctor. Once the cause of your symptoms is diagnosed, a treatment plan will be prescribed. This could include avoidance measures, OTC drugs or prescription medications. Sooner or later, the allergies will come under control, making life much easier.