If you’ve ever suffered from seasonal allergies, you know all about all of the unbearable symptoms that you get. Between the sneezing and swelling around your eyes, they can be hard to tolerate without a few lifestyle changes and medications. The key to controlling your allergies is knowing when they’re at their peak.
At Shine Health and Wellness, our team are experts in many types of allergies, including seasonal. Dr. Kimberley Shine is our functional medicine specialist who offers in-house allergy testing to help you finally figure out what’s causing your symptoms.
What causes allergies?
Seasonal allergies are caused by a number of different allergens that occur naturally. Other types of allergies can be caused by pet dander, food, or medications. However, seasonal allergies are quite common and can really put a damper in your life.
Seasonal allergies are usually triggered by types of allergens that get stirred up in the air at certain times of the year. This can make going outside almost unbearable if your allergies are severe.
So what exactly causes your allergies to spike? A number of different things can exacerbate your allergies, some of which include:
Each of these allergens comes out in different times of the year, so it’s important to know when your allergies might be at their worst. This helps you avoid these triggers, so you can avoid the uncomfortable symptoms that go with it.
When are allergies at their worst?
Unfortunately, allergies are often at their worst just when winter seems to be in the rearview mirror. Spring is one of the worst times of the year when you suffer from seasonal allergies.
When the trees and flowers begin to bloom in spring, the pollen begins to circulate, which usually leads to sneezing and watery eyes when you suffer from allergies. Pollen is produced by many different plants, and because it’s light and powdery, it circulates through the air and into your body.
Although spring is usually the worst, summer and fall can also be bad times of year for seasonal allergies. Grass is a common allergy and is the worst in the summer, because of the amount of cut grass circulating through the air.
Mold spores can also lead to allergies from spring until fall, especially if it’s rainy. Even though fall and summer allergies are common, you’re likely to have the worst allergies in the spring, depending on the things to which you’re allergic.
How to best treat your allergies
Treatment for your allergies is focused on decreasing the uncomfortable symptoms that are associated with them. This may include a number of different approaches, depending on the severity of your allergy symptoms.
Dr. Shine uses allergy testing to narrow down the allergens causing your symptoms. Once she knows the things to which your body is reactive, Dr. Shine helps you make a plan to reduce your exposure to those allergens.
You can make lifestyle modifications if your allergies aren’t severe enough to warrant other treatment. Some of the steps you can take to limit your exposure to allergens include:
- Closing windows during allergy season
- Taking a shower after being outside
- Changing your clothing after being outdoors
- Wearing a filter mask when mowing the lawn
- Monitoring pollen and allergen counts
However, when these steps aren’t enough, Dr. Shine may suggest medications to help you ease your allergy symptoms. This may include non-prescription antihistamines or prescription steroid nasal sprays and medications.
In severe cases where your allergies don’t subside with these measures, Dr. Shine suggests allergy testing and shots to help you manage your symptoms.
Don’t continue to suffer from unbearable allergies. If you’re in need of allergy testing, don’t hesitate to book an appointment online or over the phone with our expert team at Shine Health and Wellness today.