In that case, taking a whiff of those budding blooms may only lead to sneezing and wheezing.
These reactions can range from mild to severe and vary by person, according to theMayo Clinic.
Though you cant cure allergies, youcanlearn to control them.
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Heres how to conquer your spring allergies when pollen season hits full swing.
The wind can carry tree pollen for several miles, making spring allergies especially hard to avoid.
What do spring allergy symptoms feel like?
Spring allergy symptoms are the result of a complex set of reactions that occur in the body.
Researchers tend to break these reactions down into an early phase and a late phase.
There are specific receptors on your cells called antigen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) receptors.
The late-stage effects are when your body takes hours to respond to allergen exposure.
The cells release other substances that cause inflammation in the body.
What cities are considered the worst for spring allergies?
When does spring allergy season start?
According to the AAFA, the last winter freeze in many cities is starting to happen earlier each year.
Because of this, the warmer temperatures associated with spring are starting sooner.
On average, spring in the United States is 2 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than it used to be.
This extends the growing season, meaning that plants can produce more pollen for longer periods of time.
You might have terrible spring allergies, and be perfectly fine in the fall.
What are the best spring allergy treatments to reduce symptoms?
At the first sign of a tickle in your nose, its best to start with over-the-counterallergy treatments.
Montelukast (Singulair) is a prescription medication that helps to reduce asthma andallergic asthmasymptoms.
For severe seasonal allergies an allergist may recommend allergen-specific immunotherapy.
This can come in the form of allergy shots or sublingual (below-the-tongue) drops.
Immunotherapy involves exposing you to small, controlled amounts of allergens to desensitize your immune system response.
When this approach works, you may get up to two years of seasonal allergy relief.
Are there ways to minimize exposure to spring allergies?
The thing about allergies is the more exposure you have, the worse they get.
Youll make it through allergy season much more comfortably.
