For many, the warm seasons are a time of sneezing, sore throat, and itchy eyes. Allergens of the spring, summer, and fall can make the sunshine quite impossible to enjoy. From the mold spores that rise from the grassy fields in spring to the ragweed that runs rampant by harvest time, nature seems poised to make allergy sufferers quite miserable. Thankfully, there are ways to cope with seasonal allergies so that you may enjoy the warm seasons along with everyone else!
Outdoor Allergens
Mold, pollen, ragweed, trees, grasses—these are some common allergens that trigger symptoms in people. Mold typically grows beneath field grasses only to release its spores into the air during the spring. Blossoming trees, bushes, and other plants release still more allergens into the air in spring making it a difficult time for many allergy sufferers who are sensitive to them. Heading into summer, grasses trigger still more allergens while by late summer and fall, a whole new troop of plant-based allergens blooms with those terrible triggers until the first frost brings relief.
Why Do Some People Have Allergies?
Not everyone, of course, is plagued with seasonal allergens. People who suffer from allergies simply produce histamine in excess. Everyone produces histamine, but allergy sufferers make more of it. When someone who has extra histamine in their body breathes in an allergen, it triggers the histamine and it’s the histamine that actually causes the itchy eyes, sneezing, runny nose, and congestion associated with allergies. Essentially, it’s a person’s immune response that is trying to do battle with these allergens. Normally, if it were a virus that was attacking the body, this fierce battle would be warranted and the immune system applauded for its tough fight. Yet, when it mistakenly views these common allergens as villains, it can keep the battle going throughout the seasons leading to an onslaught of allergic reactions.
Coping with Outdoor Allergies
Many allergy sufferers have discovered that Benadryl is a great way to ward off allergy symptoms. People who suffer severely from seasonal allergies might even take this over-the-counter medication proactively if they plan to mow the lawn, work in the garden, or even go for a picnic. Others simply take some when their allergy symptoms begin to show. It can be helpful to discuss allergies with a doctor; while Benadryl can provide relief for many, some people may require a more powerful prescription to cope with their allergies.
Aside from medication, allergy sufferers may try other measures to minimize their allergic reactions to seasonal allergies. For instance, wearing a mask while mowing the grass can prevent someone from breathing in pollen and molds which are sure to trigger allergy symptoms. Moreover, it may be a good idea to trade this chore with someone else in the household or offer to hire someone to perform the service.
Allergy sufferers often avoid spending time outdoors on days that are dry and breezy; such conditions are optimum for pollen to blow hither and thither and wind up in one’s airways leading to a bad bout of symptoms. Wearing sunglasses and long sleeves may help keep allergens from getting into the eyes or coming in contact with other parts of the body.
Allergies don’t have to wreck the warm seasons if you take these precautions and keep Benadryl on hand. If you are uncertain about what allergens affect you, you can ask your healthcare provider to be tested so that you can learn more ways to combat your particular allergen sensitivities.
