Seasonal Allergies: Causes and Symptoms
Don’t let seasonal allergies hold you back
Allergy season is different for everyone. That’s because different kinds of outdoor allergens — or irritants — get distributed into the air year-round. So your seasonal allergies happen from exposure to whatever pollen is being released by the local grass, trees, mold spores, and ragweed whenever that occurs. 1
Outdoor mold allergies
Molds thrive in many environments, both indoors and outdoors. They flourish in damp, humid dwellings. Symptoms include: 2
- Itchy nose or throat
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Stuffy or runny nose
Learn how to avoid mold allergens.
Pollen allergies
Millions of Americans have to suffer through allergy symptoms due to exposure to tree, grass and weed pollen. Symptoms include: 3
- Sneezing
- Nasal congestion
- Runny nose
- Watery eyes
- Itchy throat or eyes
Ragweed allergies
Ragweed allergies are a specific type of pollen allergy. Ragweed season happens in the late fall, happens when certain plant species — like sage and mugwort — distribute pollen into the air. There are many species of ragweed in the United States, so try to keep track of the pollen count in your area. 4
Avoid bringing pollen into your home by removing clothes that you’ve worn outdoors and washing them right away.
Symptoms of ragweed allergies include: 4
- Sneezing
- Itchy nose or throat
- Itchy eyes
- Suffy or runny nose
Here are some tips to minimize seasonal allergies. 1
- Stay indoors when the pollen count is high
- Keep windows closed
- Use an air conditioner
- Save outdoor activities for late afternoon
- Avoid gardening when your allergies are active
- Wear a face mask, when you work outdoors
- Keep pollen out of your eyes with wraparound glasses
- Keep grass well trimmed
- Remove pollen from your skin and hair by rinsing after being outside
- Wash or brush your pets after they’ve been outside
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References
- NIH Medline Plus Magazine, Editors. What triggers seasonal allergies?, NIH Medline Plus Magazine (magazine.medlineplus.gov), 2020
- American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, Editors. Mold Allergy, American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (aaaai.org), 2021
- American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, Editors. Pollen Allergy, American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (acaai.org), 2019
- Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Editors. Ragweed Pollen Allergy, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (aafa.org), 2019
*Allegra is the #1 allergist-recommended non-drowsy brand of adult OTC oral antihistamines and oral antihistamine/pseudoephedrine combination products.