Spring fever is supposed to be a term to describe the anticipation for warm breezes and sunny skies after a long, cold winter. But for millions of people, it can feel like an actual sickness. Springtime allergies hit some of us hard. Once the coughing, sneezing, wheezing and itching begin, springtime can be downright miserable.
But by educating yourself on spring allergies, you can help minimize symptoms and enjoy the beautiful weather of the season. Below are five things you probably didn't know about spring allergies that can help you fight off symptoms.
#1: Flowers Aren't the Worst Allergy Offenders
Trees produce fine, powdery pollen in the spring. Breathing in even small amounts can trigger allergies. In fact, you might think flowering trees are the worst offenders, but their pollen is too large and sticky for wind travel.
The worst offenders of springtime allergies include ash, aspen, beech, birch, box elder, cedar, cottonwood, elm, hickory, mountain elder, mulberry, oak, pecan and willow. If you're allergic to any of these, having it in your yard can be a big problem, exposing you to 10 times more allergen.
Grabbing the chainsaw might help, but it won't eliminate your spring allergy problems as the wind carries tree pollen for miles. That's why even city dwellers living with fewer trees can still suffer from allergies. You can’t even escape to desert climates because nonindigenous trees have been planted all over the U.S.; however, there are a few things you can do:
- Keeping your windows and doors closed.
- Not going outside until later since pollen counts are highest in the morning.
- Avoiding hanging laundry outside.
- Wiping down your pets when they come indoors.
- Taking off your shoes at the door and considering changing your clothes.
- Showering and washing your hair before bedtime to eliminate pollen from your body.
#2: Springtime Allergies Can Be Developed at Any Age
If you have a food allergy, you probably remember how scary it was the first time you discovered this allergy. Although an allergy is typically something you have for a lifetime, there are things you can do to avoid it. The bad news is that you can develop new allergies at any age—including springtime allergies.
Your immune system is always looking for harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites or toxic substances. When it finds one, it fires the first shot and declares war. Sometimes, however, it mistakes a harmless substance for a dangerous one and leads your body into something called "allergic sensitization."
Whether peanuts, cat dander, or tree pollen, these benign substances receive the wrath of your immune system. Your body releases inflammatory chemicals that cause eczema, hay fever, allergic asthma, an itchy throat. Why this happens is not clear, but it can happen any time.
There isn't much you can do but avoid the allergen and manage it with medication.
#3: Springtime Allergies Can Begin in Winter
If you're sneezing and rubbing your eyes from being outdoors while Christmas caroling, you might be surprised to know that your springtime allergies are getting an early start. South and Central Texas is home to Mountain Cedar, a fragrant, otherwise harmless-looking confer that begins shedding its pollen in December. Mountain Cedar releases so much pollen that its branches appear to be smoking.
Related species of cedar, juniper and cypress can cause similar allergic responses in other parts of the United States. While they are still pollinating the air, alder, maple, hickory, elm and walnut trees take the baton as early as February.
If you don't have any of these species in your own backyard, wind currents can deliver their pollen right to your doorstep. Thankfully, you don't have to be a botanist to figure out what's happening with your runny nose. A visit to an allergist can help pinpoint the particular cause of your reactions.
#4: Local Honey Probably Won't Cure Your Allergies
Some people believe that eating local, unpasteurized honey produced from bees that feed off local plants will help to create natural immunity. However, there's no real science to prove it.
One study compared the effects of honey consumption on allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (runny, itchy nasal passages) with one group consuming local honey and another consuming a honey substitute. Neither group experienced significant relief from their symptoms. On the other hand, another study showed improvement in symptoms following eight weeks of consuming one gram per kilo of body weight. Because both studies were so small, scientists can't really draw any conclusions.
The best natural "cure" is avoidance. If you never expose yourself to the allergen, you don't react. Unfortunately, that is usually not practical, especially if you are unaware of what you are allergic to.
#5: One Tree Allergy Doesn't Mean You're Allergic to All Trees
This is good news since there are a lot of trees out there. If your symptoms feel unmanageable and you're sick and tired of sinus congestion, sneezing, and itching every spring, it may be time to visit someone who can pinpoint what you are allergic to and how you can treat the symptoms.
An allergist will assess your family history, health, known allergies or symptoms and investigative questions to couple with testing. The most common test is a skin prick in which a small amount of allergy is pricked into the skin. A raised bump confirms an allergy to that specific allergen.
Allergist visits usually begin with a visit to a primary care doctor. At CareNow®, a doctor can help assess your allergy needs in a clean and comfortable environment where experienced doctors and healthcare professionals are ready to answer all your allergy-related questions.
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