Learn all about Spring seasonal allergies. What it is, how to cure it and how to live healthy. The advise comes from experts such as Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, WebMD, and Helping Solution.

1. Spring
is
the
time
of
year
that
we
normally
think
of
when
it
comes
to
seasonal
allergies.
As
the
trees
start
to
bloom
and
the
pollen
gets
airborne,
allergy
sufferers
begin
their
annual
ritual
of
sniffling
and
sneezing.
Each
year,
40-­‐50
million
Americans
fall
prey
to
seasonal
allergic
rhinitis,
more
commonly
known
as
hay
fever.
Allergic
disorders
affect
an
estimated
1
in
5
adults
and
children
and
are
the
sixth
leading
cause
of
chronic
illness
in
the
United
States,
according
to
the
Allergy
Report
from
the
American
Academy
of
Allergy,
Asthma
and
Immunology
(AAAI).
Although
there
is
no
magical
cure
for
spring
allergies,
there
are
a
number
of
ways
to
combat
them,
from
medication
to
household
habits.
What
causes
spring
allergies?
The
biggest
spring
allergy
trigger
is
pollen
-­‐-­‐
tiny
grains
released
into
the
air
by
trees,
grasses,
and
weeds
for
the
purpose
of
fertilizing
other
plants.
When
pollen
grains
get
into
the
nose
of
someone
who’s
allergic,
they
send
the
immune
system
into
overdrive.
The
immune
system,
mistakenly
seeing
the
pollen
as
foreign
invaders,
releases
antibodies
-­‐-­‐
substances
that
normally
identify
and
attack
bacteria,
viruses,
and
other
illness-­‐causing
organisms.
The
antibodies
attack
the
allergens,
which
leads
to
the
release
of
chemicals
called
histamines
into
the
blood.
Histamines
trigger
the
runny
nose,
itchy
eyes,
and
other
symptoms
of
allergies.
Pollen
can
travel
for
miles,
spreading
a
path
of
misery
for
allergy
sufferers
along
the
way.
The
higher
the
pollen
count,
the
greater
the
misery.
The
pollen
count
measures
the
amount
of
allergens
in
the
air
in
grains
per
cubic
meter.
You
can
find
out
the
daily
pollen
count
in
your
area
by
watching
your
local
weather
forecast
or
by
visiting
the
NAB:
Pollen
&
Mold
Counts
page
on
the
American
Academy
of
Allergy,
Asthma
and
Immunology’s
web
site.
Among
the
most
common
allergy
triggers,
according
to
the
Asthma
and
Allergy
Foundation
of
America,
are:
• Tree,
grass,
and
weed
pollen
• Mold
spores
• Dust
mite
and
cockroach
allergens
• Cat,
dog,
and
rodent
dander

2.
Allergy
symptoms
tend
to
be
particularly
high
on
breezy
days
when
the
wind
picks
up
pollen
and
carries
it
through
the
air.
Rainy
days,
on
the
other
hand,
cause
a
drop
in
the
pollen
counts
because
the
rain
washes
away
the
allergens.
What
are
the
symptoms
of
spring
allergies?
The
symptoms
of
spring
allergies
include:
• Runny
nose
• Watery
eyes
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Itchy
eyes
and
nose
• Dark
circles
under
the
eyes
Airborne
allergens
also
can
trigger
asthma,
a
condition
in
which
the
airways
narrow,
making
breathing
difficult
and
leading
to
coughing,
wheezing,
and
shortness
of
breath.
How
are
spring
allergies
diagnosed?
If
you’ve
never
been
formally
diagnosed
with
spring
allergies
but
you
notice
that
your
eyes
and
nose
are
itchy
and
runny
during
the
spring
months,
see
your
doctor.
Your
doctor
may
refer
you
to
an
allergist
for
tests.
The
allergy
specialist
may
do
a
skin
test,
which
involves
injecting
a
tiny
sample
of
a
diluted
allergen
just
under
the
skin
of
your
arm
or
back.
If
you’re
allergic
to
the
substance,
a
small
red
bump
(called
a
wheal
or
hive)
will
form.
Another
diagnostic
option
is
the
radioallergosorbent
test
or
RAST.
RAST
is
a
blood
test
that
detects
antibody
levels
to
a
particular
allergen.
Just
because
you
are
sensitive
to
a
particular
allergen
on
a
test,
though,
doesn’t
mean
that
you’ll
necessarily
start
sneezing
and
coughing
when
you
come
into
contact
with
it.

3. Can
allergies
be
cured?
Many
with
allergies
tend
to
suffer
in
silence.
If
you
do,
you
should
understand
that
you
don't
need
to
grin
and
bear
it.
While
there
is
no
cure
for
allergies,
with
proper
management
this
condition
can
be
effectively
controlled.
Making
changes
in
your
environment
can
greatly
limit
your
exposure
to
certain
allergens
and
reduce
your
symptoms.
Medications
that
are
safe
and
effective
can
be
prescribed.
Allergen
immunotherapy
is
also
an
option
for
reducing
symptoms
and
medication
reliance
on
a
long-­‐term
basis.
Treat
Allergies
Early
Spring
pollen
season
starts
much
earlier
than
many
people
think.
In
large
swaths
of
the
country,
including
the
eastern
seaboard
and
the
Ohio
Valley,
pollen
starts
filling
the
air
as
soon
as
the
weather
warms
up
just
enough
for
the
trees
to
begin
budding.
As
long
as
you're
not
in
the
Snow
Belt
up
around
the
Great
Lakes,
the
pollen
season
starts
very
early,
and
by
mid-­‐March
we'll
have
our
first
peak.
This
means
that
if
you
take
medications
to
control
your
seasonal
allergies,
the
time
to
start
them
is
mid-­‐
to
late-­‐
February,
not
late
March.
"Allergies
create
an
inflammatory
response
that
is
like
a
smoldering
fire.
If
you
can
keep
it
smoldering
rather
than
flaring,
you'll
do
a
lot
better.”
By
starting
your
medications
early,
you're
less
likely
to
have
a
snowball
effect
with
your
symptoms.
Reduce
your
exposure
to
allergy
triggers
To
reduce
your
exposure
to
the
things
that
triggers
your
allergy
signs
and
symptoms
(allergens):
• Stay
indoors
on
dry,
windy
days
—
the
best
time
to
go
outside
is
after
a
good
rain,
which
helps
clear
pollen
from
the
air.
• Delegate
lawn
mowing,
weed
pulling
and
other
gardening
chores
that
stir
up
allergens.
• Remove
clothes
you've
worn
outside;
you
may
also
want
to
shower
to
rinse
pollen
from
your
skin
and
hair.
• Don't
hang
laundry
outside
—
pollen
can
stick
to
sheets
and
towels.
• Wear
a
dust
mask
if
you
do
outside
chores.
Take
extra
steps
when
pollen
counts
are
high

4. Seasonal
allergy
signs
and
symptoms
can
flare
up
when
there's
a
lot
of
pollen
in
the
air.
These
steps
can
help
you
reduce
your
exposure:
• Check
your
local
TV
or
radio
station,
your
local
newspaper,
or
the
Internet
for
pollen
forecasts
and
current
pollen
levels.
• If
high
pollen
counts
are
forecasted,
start
taking
allergy
medications
before
your
symptoms
start.
• Close
doors
and
windows
at
night
or
any
other
time
when
pollen
counts
are
high.
• Avoid
outdoor
activity
in
the
early
morning
when
pollen
counts
are
highest.
Keep
indoor
air
clean
There's
no
miracle
product
that
can
eliminate
all
allergens
from
the
air
in
your
home,
but
these
suggestions
may
help:
• Use
the
air
conditioning
in
your
house
and
car.
• If
you
have
forced
air
heating
or
air
conditioning
in
your
house,
use
high-­‐
efficiency
filters
and
follow
regular
maintenance
schedules.
• Keep
indoor
air
dry
with
a
dehumidifier.
• Use
a
portable
high-­‐efficiency
particulate
air
(HEPA)
filter
in
your
bedroom.
• Clean
floors
often
with
a
vacuum
cleaner
that
has
a
HEPA
filter.
Resources:
WebMD
Mayo
Clinic
Cleveland
Clinic
Helping
Solution