Seasonal Allergies: What You Need to Know

Did you know that more than 1/4 of American adults have a seasonal allergy?  If you or someone you know is sneezing, itching, or feeling stuffy, it might be due to a seasonal allergy also known as allergic rhinitis.  Dr. Jinlin Du, an allergy specialist at Crystal Run Healthcare, helps people in Middletown, NY, who are dealing with all sorts of allergies. 

Before seeing an allergy specialist, it is important to make sure you have ruled out other illnesses that have similar symptoms.
“There are a lot of allergy-mimicking conditions that present similar symptoms to seasonal allergies, such as the common cold and COVID.  Not every sneeze is an allergy. It is extremely important to seek medical care in a timely manner if allergy symptoms are unresponsive to common seasonal allergy medications,” advised Dr. Du. 

An allergic reaction happens when a person's body reacts to something that is usually not considered harmful to most people. What a person reacts to is typically called an allergen. When someone is exposed to something they are allergic to, their body thinks it's being attacked. This triggers their immune system to fight the allergen. This can cause a range of symptoms that can be mild, like a runny nose, or severe, like trouble breathing. 

While there are hundreds of potential allergens, seasonal allergies are caused by pollen, which is a tiny powder that comes from trees, grasses and flowers.  

Other types of allergies include allergies caused by non-seasonal allergens or allergens that a person can be exposed to at any time, and include:
•    Food — Nuts, peanuts, wheat, soy, tree nuts and dairy are common foods that people can be allergic to. People can also be allergic to other foods not listed here. 
•    Dust — dust, sometimes known as dust bunnies, is made up of dirt, skin, dander, insects, and more, typically gathering in the corners of a room, on top of shelves or in air vents. 
•    Insect stings — Insects that can sting or bite may leave bacteria or irritants on or in the skin. While insect stings can happen year-round, they are more likely to happen in the warmer months of the year.
•    Animal dander — Pet dander is tiny flakes of skin that animals shed
•    Mold — Mold is a type of fungus that typically grows in damp places
•    Medications/Drugs — Medications can be made of organic or inorganic components
•    Latex — Latex is a type of stretchy plastic used to make items like surgical gloves, swim caps, condoms, and catheters.

Allergic reactions can range from mild, moderate or severe. Mild seasonal allergic reactions can look like sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose, itchy eyes or skin, or rashes. Moderate reactions are usually more serious than mild ones. They can cause a lot of sneezing, itching, or red, itchy bumps on the skin called hives.

A severe allergic reaction is called anaphylaxis and requires immediate treatment. Anaphylaxis is a very serious reaction that can be life-threatening. An anaphylaxis reaction to an allergen includes: 
•    Trouble breathing
•    Swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat
•    Dizziness or fainting
•    Fast heartbeat (heart palpitations)

It is important to note that most environmental allergies do not cause a severe allergic reaction.  If you are experiencing a severe allergic reaction to something, it is important that you seek immediate emergency medical help. 

“There are many over-the-counter allergy medications from antihistamines, nasal sprays to allergy eye drops to choose from, which is great.  But it does not necessarily mean that over-the-counter allergy medications are suitable for everyone’s allergies and free of side effects,” said Dr. Du. 

If you think you might have an allergy, it’s a good idea to ask your primary care provider if it is right for you to see an allergy specialist.  

“Seeing an allergy specialist will not only help you to identify the possible allergy triggers, but also to personalize the care to best serve your allergy symptoms,” explained Dr. Du.

 During your appointment, your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and may schedule tests to figure out what you’re allergic to. Once they know what’s causing your allergies, they can help you find the best way to feel better.

“A simple 15-minute skin prick test or a tube of blood is generally sufficient to find the allergy triggers, ” explained Dr. Du. "Besides allergy medications, allergy immunotherapy or allergy shots have a more than 100-year history of safety and effectiveness for seasonal allergies. The allergy providers at Crystal Run are readily available to serve your seasonal allergy care needs.”

Seasonal allergies can make you feel miserable and can even be life-threatening, but with the right care, it is possible to manage your symptoms. The allergy and immunology specialists at Crystal Run Healthcare can help you identify what is causing your symptoms and create a personalized plan to help you manage them.
 

Jinlin Du, MD, FAAAAI, FACAAI, is a board-certified allergy and immunology specialist at Crystal Run Healthcare. He earned his Medical Degree at Hubei Medical University in Shiyan, China. He completed his Allergy and Immunology Fellowship at the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, NJ. His clinical interests include allergies and allergy mimic disorders, asthma, food and drug allergies and immunodeficiencies. Dr. Du is seeing patients in Middletown, NY.