Seasonal allergies are one of the most common allergies that many people suffer from. If you or a family member is suffering from them, here are a few things you should know about them.

Causes of seasonal allergies

Allergy doctors observe that there are many factors that can bring about the condition. These factors include:

Genetics: You must have observed that some people develop the condition and others don’t. This is because the allergies are largely dependent on your genetic makeup. If you have genes that trigger your immune system to be super sensitive, you will develop the condition.

The environment you grow up in: According to allergy experts, when you grow up on the farm, in a big family or in any other areas where you are exposed to pollen and other allergens, you are less likely to develop the allergies compared to other people that grow up in the city and urban areas. According to experts, when you grow in a very clean environment, your immune system isn’t too active thus it tends to be oversensitive; therefore, when it’s exposed to the pollen and other allergens, it responds to them thus provoking an allergic reaction.

Symptoms of the condition

The symptoms show up during spring and other times when the pollen count is high. The symptoms vary from mild to severe and include: sneezing, ear congestion, runny nose, water, itchy eyes, headache, postnasal drainage, coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath, just to mention a few.

You should note that in some cases the symptoms are very severe thus put your life at risk. To avoid complications you should see an allergy doctor as soon as you start showing the symptoms.

Treatment options for seasonal allergies

You have many options when it comes to the various ways in which you can treat the condition. These ways include:

Medications: Medications reduce the symptoms of allergy. Some of the medications work by preventing histamine from binding to the cells. Others such as steroids aid in dialing down the immune response thus your body doesn’t react when exposed to the allergens.

Immunotherapy: This is the deliberately controlled exposure to small amounts of the allergen until your body can withstand the exposure. The therapy aims at teaching the immune system that the pollen aren’t dangerous thus the body doesn’t respond to them. For a safe and successful therapy, ensure that you visit a reputable allergy clinic.

If you suffer from seasonal allergies or other conditions, you know that they bring about a lot of inconveniences. To avoid the complications that come with the condition it’s important that you prevent them from occurring. There are a number of ways in which you can do it:

Watch what you eat

If you didn’t know, what you eat greatly determines how you respond to the allergens. Some of the foods that you should take when suffering from the condition include:

Omega-3 fatty acids: These strengthen your immune system thus your body is able to resist the problems brought about by the allergens. Some of the best places to get the fatty acids include: krill oil, fish, and grass fed eggs.

Probiotics: Probiotics reduce the allergy symptoms by increasing the antibodies that fight the allergy reactions.

Vitamin D: Studies have shown that vitamin D plays a major role in not only reducing the allergy symptoms, it also reduces the asthma symptoms. Two of the best sources of vitamin D are the sun and mushrooms.

Hot peppers: While they are challenging to take, they act as strong decongestants thus function as great alternatives to nasal spray. You can take any type of hot pepper including: hot mustards, chili pepper, and horseradish.

Stay indoors

It’s estimated that up to 60% of allergies are seasonal. During the season when pollen count is high in the air, you should avoid staying outdoors. You should avoid contact with the pollen by staying indoors. To keep the air clean inside the house, allergists recommend that you install a highly functional air conditioner. If you have to be outdoors, you should go outside when the pollen count is low. This is early in the morning and late in the evening.

Take allergy medication

There are many types of drugs that reduce the allergy symptoms. Before the allergy season begins, you should arm yourself with the medications. You can buy the drugs over the counter or get a prescription from your doctor.

Conclusion

These are some of the ways in which you can prevent allergy symptoms. Even with the best preventative measures in place, it’s common for you to develop the condition. Regardless of how minor the symptoms are, you should rush to your nearest allergy clinic and get the right medications. You should note that you shouldn’t ignore the symptoms as they can get complicated thus putting your life in danger.

:It’s common for people to get bumpy, itchy, scaly and red skin when they get into contact with allergens. In most cases, these are signs of skin allergy. According to allergy doctors, the condition comes about when the immune system overreacts and releases antibodies to fight the allergens.

Types of skin allergy

There are many types of this condition. The most common types being:

Contact dermatitis: From its name, this is a condition that comes about when your skin gets into contact with the allergen. A classic scenario is when you get a rash from wearing a new ring or when you shower with a different piece of soap. There are many types of this condition such as airborne contact dermatitis that you develop when the pollen and other triggers land on your skin. Some people suffer from photoallergic contact dermatitis when they expose themselves to the sun. Here, the condition is due to the chemicals found in shaving lotions, sunscreens, and even perfumes.

When you are suffering from the condition you show a wide range of symptoms that range from mild to severe. These symptoms include: blisters, bumps, burning, rashes, swelling, cracking, and scaly patches.

Hives: These are raised, itchy bumps. According to allergy doctors, the condition is often triggered by insect bites, food, and medications. In rare cases, the condition is triggered by contact dermatitis. Hives appear almost immediately and fade within just a few hours or days.

Eczema: Also known as atopic dermatitis, eczema is a chronic allergic condition that begins in childhood. It’s brought about by a number of factors including: dust, cleaning products, and animal dander.

Major causes of skin allergy

According to allergy experts, there are over 3000 potential allergens for the condition. The most common being: nickel, fragrances, antibiotic creams, sumac, latex, and the ingredients you find in household products. Just like any other form of allergy, to avoid the condition from coming about you should stay away from the allergen as much as you can.

Treatment options for the condition

Mild allergy symptoms fade on their own, but the severe ones can be catastrophic if left untreated. If you are showing the symptoms, you should get over-the-counter medications such as calamine lotion and hydrocortisone creams. You should also consider compressing the affected area or taking a cold shower. If you have tried the above and still the symptoms won’t go away, you should consider visiting an allergy clinic.