How to overcome and prevent seasonal allergies

There’s a line in a song saying” it’s the most wonderful time of the year…” especially Christmas season is just around the corner. Majority of countries located in the western hemisphere have changing seasons that ushers a different ambience, weather and mood as well as seasonal allergies too.

Seasonal allergies happen simply because a change in season brings a certain allergic reaction. When seasons change, the wind coming from far places usually carries with it pollen from trees, grasses and weeds. Trees that commonly cause seasonal allergies are oak, olive, elm, birch, ash, hickory, poplar, sycamore, maple, cypress and walnut. Usually, plants are pollinated by bees such as flowers but wild plants like grasses and weeds pollinate due to the wind. These long-travelling pollens happens as wind scatters them across the air during spring or fall. As the pollens are spread by the wind, people begin sneezing, coughing, have itchy red watery eyes and start other related disorders such as hay fever, eye allergies and even allergic asthma. Normally, pollen allergies are abundant in the morning when wind is much stronger. This frequently happens during springtime.

Seasonal allergies are also experienced during summertime. The main factor that causes such allergy are grasses. When it’s summer, homeowners regularly cut grass or mow the lawn then the wind spreads the grass pollen easily. In fact, some people begin itching as soon as their skin comes in contact with grass causing hives to appear known as urticaria. Pollen is the main reason behind seasonal allergies whether it came from grass, trees or weeds.
How can we reduce exposure to pollen?

Because pollen is the main culprit behind seasonal allergies, it is practical to avoid pollen by doing the following:

1. Always lock your windows so air would not bring in pollen.

2. Stay at home between 5am to 10am when pollen content in the air is high

3. Try having a vacation in a seaside area when pollen is most active at certain seasons.

4. Avoid drying your laundry outdoors, use a machine dryer instead|

5. Make sure that all car windows are closed when travelling.

6. Do not cut grass or expose yourself to newly cut grass.

Truly, it is practical to understand what causes seasonal allergies so prevention can help us when seasons change