Why is pollen so high in spring?

In the spring, dormant trees come alive, often with a vengeance. They release pollen into the air as a way of reproducing but unfortunately, that pollen can trigger an allergic response in many people. Pollen counts are typically highest in the morning, and on warm and windy days.

What can you blame for your allergies in the spring?

Grasses shed pollen in late spring and summer. Ragweed produces pollen in the fall. Mold spores often cause seasonal allergies during the spring, summer, and fall. They may also cause year-round allergies for people who live in buildings with too much moisture.

Why are so many people allergic to pollen?

Many people have an adverse immune response when they breathe in pollen. The immune system normally defends the body against harmful invaders — such as viruses and bacteria — to ward off illnesses. In people with pollen allergies, the immune system mistakenly identifies the harmless pollen as a dangerous intruder.

Which allergy occurs mainly in spring season?

Spring Allergies: Mold Mold, such as yeast and mildew, releases seeds called spores that are carried by the wind. They’re very abundant in the air outside and tend to cause the worst allergy symptoms from spring through fall. Outdoor molds include Alternaria, Cladosporium, and Hormodendrun.

Does rain wash away pollen?

Light, steady rain showers can wash the pollen away, keeping it from flying through the air. The humidity that follows helps keep pollen down too. Rain can have a welcome benefit for those with pollen allergies.

Why are my allergies so bad in April?

The biggest spring allergy trigger is pollen. Trees, grasses, and weeds release these tiny grains into the air to fertilize other plants. When they get into the nose of someone who’s allergic, they send the body’s defenses haywire.

What is the best medicine for spring allergies?

Try an over-the-counter remedy They include: Oral antihistamines. Antihistamines can help relieve sneezing, itching, a runny nose and watery eyes. Examples of oral antihistamines include loratadine (Claritin, Alavert), cetirizine (Zyrtec Allergy) and fexofenadine (Allegra Allergy).

What does spring mean for people with allergies?

Springtime brings not just deliciously longer days, warmer weather, balmy breezes and blooming flowers. For people with allergies, it means the return of pollen. Pollen and allergies don’t mix. There’s not much you can do to avoid pollen altogether — after all, it’s produced by grasses, trees, flowers and weeds — but you can minimize the misery.

What causes pollen allergies in the summer months?

Grass is the primary trigger of pollen allergies during the summer months. It causes some of the most severe and difficult-to-treat symptoms. However, the AAAAI reports that allergy shots and allergy tablets can be highly effective in relieving symptoms of grass pollen allergies. Ragweed plants are the main culprits of allergies among weed pollens.

Why do I get allergies to trees in the spring?

Pollen released by trees and other plants during the spring is a common allergen. Pollen is central to plant reproduction and easily inhaled as fine, powdery particles that readily drift in the air. The trees most commonly associated with allergic rhinitis in the U.S. include: 4 

Why are allergy symptoms getting worse year over year?

“Year over year, we’re finding climate change is a major factor in worsening symptoms for spring and fall pollen seasons,” said Kenneth Mendez, the CEO and president of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. The rising temps and increasing CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere are making pollen seasons heavier and longer.

What are the symptoms of allergies in spring?

Spring allergy symptoms include: Runny nose. Watery eyes. Sneezing. Coughing. Itchy eyes and nose. Itchy ears and throat.

Why are allergies so bad this year?

Why the 2018 Allergy Season Is Expected to Be a Bad One. Increased carbon dioxide from pollution, leads to more pollen production , which means more seeds, which means more pollen in the next season. Worsened pollen production plus more people being diagnosed with environmental allergies each year leads to more people suffering, Galowitz added.

When do spring allergies end?

April tends to be the worst month for most spring allergy-sufferers, but spring allergies typically last until early summer. It’s pretty easy to see why: That’s when most of the flowers and trees are blooming.

What are symptoms of severe seasonal allergy?

Symptoms of seasonal allergies. Symptoms of seasonal allergies range from mild to severe. The most common include: sneezing. runny or stuffy nose. watery and itchy eyes. itchy sinuses, throat, or ear canals.