Seasonal Allergies? Here’s How to Prevent and Treat Them Effectively

January 25, 2025

Seasonal Allergies? Here’s How to Prevent and Treat Them Effectively

Verified By
KIMS-SUNSHINE
Specialist,
25 January, 2025

Seasonal Allergies? Here’s How to Prevent and Treat Them Effectively

Summer and winter or any change in seasons can cause symptoms of varying magnitude- which is why they are called seasonal allergies. This is because your body may not react well to certain triggers like pollen, dust, pollution etc. When you seem to have these symptoms – cold, blocked or runny nose and sneeze a lot, at particular times of the year, then you can be sure that it is a seasonal issue. In India, the so-called ‘allergy season’ is from February-April and August-October- when there is a major shift from winter to summer and from monsoon/fall to winter. This mainly occurs due to the production of specific kinds of pollen that plants release at these particular times of the year. It may be from flowering trees, grass or weeds. The symptoms can get much worse if you already suffer from asthma, rhinitis or COPD and related chronic pulmonary conditions.

Common Triggers Of Seasonal Allergies And How To Avoid Them

Seasonal allergies are also called hay fever more commonly and affect millions of people in the country and world wide. The immune system is designed to find a problematic compound – commonly called an ‘allergen’ and then eliminate it, with any specialised cells and means possible. It is not just pollen that can cause a reaction. Other factors like mold, dust, pet fur and dander, dust mites and pollutants in the air can all trigger a reaction in sensitive folk. Some of the most common symptoms that you may face are as follows-

Cold and cough
Headache
Red or itchy eyes which seem to water a lot
Ear issues- like congestion
Postnasal drip
Wheezing and shortness of breath

For people with asthma, allergy season can be especially harrowing or annoying- depending on severity of symptoms.

As for how to avoid them, making sure you know the triggers and then staying away from them always works. For instance-

You can keep windows closed during the day.
You can wear a mask and other forms of protective gear if you have to go out.
Stay away from smoke of any kind- cigarette smoke, secondary smoke etc. They are all major triggers.
You could also consider using an air purifier at home.

Best Over-The-Counter Medications For Seasonal Allergies

Allergies normally go away on their own in a while but if your symptoms make you very miserable, then you can try one of these tips

You can begin steam therapy for a few minutes everyday, till your breathing gets better. It will help your airways too.
You can talk to your doctor about getting OTC or over the counter medications for the cold, cough – like decongestants and antihistamines to prevent inflammation of your sinuses.
You can also use nasal sprays to help you sleep better at night
You can try to eat warm foods and Vitamin C rich fruits.

Can Seasonal Allergies Be Cured Permanently?

Nope, you cannot cure seasonal allergies and stay fine forever. This is because even with vaccination, there are so many other pathogens and allergens that can affect your body and cause these exact same symptoms. Though symptoms should get better for most people during winter, dealing with a constantly runny nose can be very draining and annoying. You could talk to your doctor about immunotherapy, if you think allergies are affecting your quality of life.

Conclusion

For people with very sensitive immune systems, change of seasons can mean allergy season- which can be tiresome. Even though the so-called allergen is actually pretty harmless, your immune system overreacts to it and causes inflammation by producing histamines which are chemicals that help increase temperature and runny sinuses – all of which are mechanisms designed to get rid of the ‘allergen’. Though these symptoms can make you miserable, it is important to remember that they will go away in some days, as soon as the weather is a little more stable. In the meantime, make sure to eat well, exercise regularly and get enough sleep- all of these can help your immune system work well and you can recover faster, even if you do have to deal with any condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I tell the difference between seasonal allergies and a cold?

If you seem to get affected only when there is a change or shift in the seasons, then you probably have seasonal allergies and not just a normal cold. But a cold can also come at that time, so it can get confusing, since the symptoms are very similar.

Which medications are most effective for seasonal allergy relief?

You can take antihistamines and decongestants which will help you breathe easier and make the mucus a little watery, so it is easy to expel it.

How can I allergy-proof my home during peak allergy seasons?

You can use an air purifier, wash all bed linen once a week, vacuum rugs or carpets and sofas or beds once a week- and more importantly, keep your surroundings clean. You should wear a mask when you are cleaning, so you don’t get affected.

Can seasonal allergies lead to more serious health problems?

It may cause ear pain and not let you sleep well at night- which is why you may wake up the next day- groggy and tired. You may also notice that asthma symptoms worsen, so keep an inhaler handy at all times.

When should I see a doctor for seasonal allergy symptoms?

If you notice that symptoms of cold, cough, sore throat, wheezing and headaches last for over a week and you are not able to go about your life daily in a normal manner, it is time to stop, re-evaluate and get help.