In spring, pollen is released from flowers and trees. Allergies can develop with the release of pollen. This is called spring allergy. Allergies have many symptoms. Symptoms may worsen when combined with another allergic disease. Besides pollen, spring allergy has causes such as mold, insect bites. When allergies are left untreated, patients’ enjoyment of activities of daily living decreases and other side effects occur. There are home remedies and medicines that can be prescribed by a doctor.
What is Spring Allergy?
Allergies can develop in spring with the increase in pollen. Spring allergy is also commonly known as hay fever or allergic rhinitis. Being outdoors when pollen is high can worsen allergies. Patients with asthma, atopic dermatitis or eczema are more prone to spring allergies. People who are constantly exposed to animal dander, dust mites and cigarette smoke can also suffer from spring allergies.
What are the Symptoms of Spring Allergy?
Although the symptoms of spring allergy vary from patient to patient, the following symptoms are usually common:
Nasal congestion
Runny nose
Sinus (air spaces around the nose) pain,
Headache
Shortness of breath in patients with allergic asthma,
Itchy, swollen eyes,
Nasal discharge
Sore and itchy throat,
Itching of the skin,
Fatigue (spring fatigue).
What Causes Spring Allergy?
Spring allergies are usually caused by pollen from different trees. In windy weather, pollen flies in the air. On rainy days, allergens disappear. Pollen is normally harmless, but when the immune system reacts to it, allergies occur. While trees are the main source of pollen, grass, weeds and mold can also cause spring allergies. Pollen from grasses and weeds is most common in June. Although mold is not directly related to the season, it can cause symptoms to appear in the spring season. Mold is blown by the wind, but also spread by dew. Even if there is no mold in the environment, mold can spread with rotting plants outside. In addition to mold, spring cleaning can also cause allergies because it activates dust mites.
Insect bites can increase in spring. These insects are usually bedbugs, bees and mosquitoes. Unlike the symptoms of spring allergy, itching, redness, swelling and pain occur at the site of the insect bite.
Which Doctor to Go to for Spring Allergy?
You can be examined for spring allergy by making an appointment with the allergy and immunology diseases department. For children, an appointment should be made with the pediatric allergy and immunology department.
When Does Spring Allergy Start and End?
Spring usually comes in February and May. Sometimes it may start later due to the late end of winter. First, the pollen from the trees starts to spread. In May and June, pollen from grasses is more common. In August and November, pollen from weeds is scattered. The answer to the question “When does the spring allergy end?” may vary depending on the abundance or scarcity of trees, plants and grass in the area where you live. Since July is warm and windless, allergies decrease. In addition, allergies decrease during the winter months.
What Problems Can Spring Allergy Cause?
Patients with spring allergy may have to cope with different problems besides the symptoms. Having allergies can reduce enjoyment of day-to-day tasks and make patients less productive. It can also make it difficult to fall asleep at night. This is why you wake up more tired in the morning. Due to blockage of the sinuses, infection can develop. Infection in the sinuses is called sinusitis. When asthma patients suffer from allergies, asthma symptoms can worsen. Spring allergy in children can lead to otitis media (middle ear infection).
How to Treat Spring Allergy?
Under normal circumstances, spring allergy does not need treatment. Patients with allergies are advised to consult a health institution while looking for an answer to the question “How does spring allergy go away?”. If you have spring allergy that does not go away, if it recurs throughout the year, if it causes difficulty breathing, you may need to consult a doctor. There are many medicines used to treat spring allergy. These medicines prevent sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, itching and swelling of the eyes. Allergy pills can often make you drowsy. So you may need to drink it in the evening. Although over-the-counter medicines are available, it is very important that you ask your doctor for the right medicine for you. Apart from this method, patients can be desensitized to allergens with immunotherapy. This is a long-term treatment. There are two immunotherapies. These are allergy shots and sublingual tablets.
What Helps Spring Allergy at Home?
If the allergy does not bother the patient too much, the symptoms of spring allergy can be reduced with methods that can be tried at home. These methods can be listed as follows.
The inside of the nose can be washed by mixing 1.5 teaspoons of salt with 1 liter of previously boiled and warmed water. Washing can be made easier with the apparatus sold for washing the nose. It is not necessary to use all of the prepared mixture at once. This cleans the mucus in the nose and opens the sinus channels.
The nasal passages can be relieved by inhaling hot water vapor.
How to Prevent Spring Allergy?
When spring comes, there are measures that can be taken to prevent allergies. These measures are listed as follows:
Nasal sprays recommended by a doctor can be started 1-2 weeks before the start of spring. In this way, inflammation can be prevented when exposed to pollen and symptoms can be prevented before they start.
Keeping windows closed as much as possible when you are in an area will prevent pollen from entering.
Staying indoors during peak pollen hours can be a good option. Pollen is usually most abundant in the morning. If it is not possible to stay indoors during these hours, it may be preferable to wear a mask.
The effect of allergens can be reduced by buying air purifying machines inside the house. Air machines keep you away not only from pollen but also from all allergens and bad air.
Cleaning the living space reduces dust in the environment. Changing the sheets frequently and dusting often can help reduce spring allergies. It is also important to vacuum the carpets in the house as much as possible. Because dust and pollen accumulate too much on carpets.
Entering the house directly into the shower in the spring prevents allergens from entering the house. If allergens exposed outside are spread inside the house, it leads to continuous exposure. This can cause symptoms to worsen.
If you have a pet at home and it goes out and comes into the house, it may be bringing pollen and other allergens with it. By taking care of the pet, allergens can be prevented from spreading throughout the home.
