Key takeaways

  • Seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever and allergic rhinitis, occur when the immune system overreacts to outdoor allergens such as pollen.
  • Symptoms of seasonal allergies can include sneezing, a runny nose, and itchy eyes, with the severity ranging from mild to severe. The triggers for seasonal allergies vary depending on the time of year.
  • Managing seasonal allergies involves avoiding allergens, using medications such as antihistamines and decongestants, and considering alternative treatments.

An allergy that occurs in a particular season is more commonly known as hay fever or allergic rhinitis.

Seasonal allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to an outdoor allergen, such as pollen. The most common allergens are pollens from wind-pollinated plants, such as trees, grasses, and weeds.

Seasonal allergies are less common during the winter, but it’s possible to experience allergic rhinitis year-round. Different plants release their pollen at different times of year.

Depending on your allergy triggers and where you live, you may experience hay fever in more than one season. You may also react to indoor allergens, such as mold or pet dander.

Read on to learn more about the symptoms and causes of seasonal allergies. This article also looks at diagnosing seasonal allergies and treatment options

Symptoms of seasonal allergies range from mild to severe. Some possible symptoms include:

Many people with hay fever also have asthma. If you have both hay fever and asthma, your seasonal allergens may trigger an asthma attack.

Seasonal allergies happen when the immune system identifies an airborne substance that’s usually harmless. It responds to that substance, or allergen, by releasing histamines and other chemicals into the bloodstream.

Those chemicals produce the symptoms of an allergic reaction.

Common triggers of hay fever vary from one season to another.

Spring

Trees are responsible for most springtime seasonal allergies.

Birch is one of the most common offenders in northern latitudes, where many people with hay fever react to its pollen.

Other allergenic trees in North America include cedar, alder, horse chestnut, willow, and poplar.

Summer

Hay fever gets its name from hay-cutting season, which is traditionally in the summer months. But the real culprits of summertime seasonal allergies are grasses, such as ryegrass and timothy grass, as well as certain weeds.

Fall

Autumn is ragweed season. The genus name for ragweed is Ambrosia, and it includes more than 40 species worldwide.

Most of them grow in temperate regions of North and South America. They’re invasive plants that are difficult to control. Their pollen is a very common allergen, and the symptoms of ragweed allergy can be especially severe.

Other plants that drop their pollen in the fall include nettles, mugworts, sorrels, fat hens, and plantains.

Winter

By winter, most outdoor allergens lie dormant. As a result, cold weather brings relief to many people with hay fever. But it also means that more people are spending time indoors.

If you’re prone to seasonal allergies, you may also react to indoor allergens, such as mold, pet dander, dust mites, or cockroaches.

Indoor allergens are often easier to remove from your environment than outdoor pollens, and this may help with managing winter allergies.

Here are a few tips for ridding your home of common allergens:

  • Wash your bedding in very hot water at least once a week.
  • Cover your bedding and pillows with allergen-proof covers.
  • Get rid of carpets and upholstered furniture.
  • Remove stuffed toys from your children’s bedrooms.
  • Fix water leaks and clean up water damage that can help mold and pests flourish.
  • Clean moldy surfaces and any places that mold may form, including humidifiers, swamp coolers, air conditioners, and refrigerators.
  • Use a dehumidifier to reduce excess moisture.

If you have allergic symptoms that only occur at certain times of the year, it’s a sign that you might have seasonal allergic rhinitis.

To assist with reaching an accurate diagnosis, an allergy specialist may perform two tests: a prick test and a blood test.

The skin prick or scratch test involves pricking the skin with a small amount of allergens to see which ones cause a reaction.

If a skin prick test is not practical, such as if you have an existing skin condition, a blood test can be useful. It involves adding allergens to a blood sample to detect a reaction.

The best treatment for hay fever and year-round allergic rhinitis is avoidance of allergens that trigger symptoms. Medications are also available to treat symptoms of seasonal allergies. Some people also try alternative treatments.

Avoidance

Take steps to avoid seasonal allergens. For instance, use an air conditioner with a HEPA filter to cool your home in summer, rather than opening windows.

Check your local weather network for pollen forecasts, and try to stay indoors when pollen counts are high.

At times of year when your hay fever is active, you may also wish to consider wearing a dust mask when you’re outside, especially on windy days.

Medication

When you can’t avoid your allergens, other treatments are available, including:

  • decongestants
  • antihistamines
  • steroid nasal sprays

Some medications are available over the counter, while others require a prescription. If your symptoms are severe, you can speak with your doctor about prescription-strength treatments.

In severe cases, your doctor may also recommend allergy shots. They’re a type of immunotherapy that can help desensitize your immune system to allergens.

Seasonal allergies can occur throughout the year.

Tree pollen allergies are more common in spring, while grass pollen allergies may be more likely to occur in summer. During the fall, ragweed pollen allergies are more prevalent. In winter, you’re more likely to experience dust mite or mold allergies.

Symptoms of seasonal allergies can include a runny nose, sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, and an itchy throat.

If you suspect you have seasonal allergies, it is best to talk with your doctor. They may refer you to an allergy specialist to diagnose the cause of your symptoms and prescribe a treatment plan.

They will likely encourage you to take steps to avoid your allergy triggers. They may also recommend over-the-counter or prescription medications.