Key takeaways

• Spring allergies, also known as hay fever or allergic rhinitis, are triggered when the immune system overreacts to harmless substances, such as pollen, which are released by trees, grasses, and plants during the spring season.
• Common symptoms of spring allergies include swelling in the nose and eyes, sneezing, coughing, headaches, and difficulty breathing. Management can include a combination of medical treatments and prevention tips.
• To prevent spring allergy symptoms, individuals can limit their exposure to pollen and mold by staying indoors on windy days, keeping windows closed, using air purifiers, and regularly cleaning their homes.

In the United States, these allergies can occur from February until early summer, depending on the state.

Allergies in spring can come in two forms:

  • Seasonal: Symptoms occur in spring, summer, or fall and are usually due to pollen or mold spores.
  • Perennial: Symptoms occur all year round, including in spring. Causes include dust mites, pet dander, mold, and cockroaches.

Read on to learn more about the causes of spring allergies, symptoms, treatment options, and more.

An allergy occurs when a person’s immune system overreacts to an otherwise harmless substance known as an allergen. When a person has an allergy, the body produces antibodies that travel to the cells that release histamine and other chemicals.

Histamine causes swelling in the nose and eyes in an attempt to stop allergens from entering the body. Histamine also causes sneezing to remove allergens from the nose.

Pollen

Plants produce tiny pollen grains for reproduction.

While some plants use insects to spread their pollen, others use the wind. Most allergic reactions to pollen occur due to it spreading through the wind. Different plants and trees release pollen at different times of the year.

Common causes of pollen allergy include:

  • Trees: Tree pollen peaks in early spring.
  • Grass: Grass releases its pollen mostly in late spring.
  • Weed: Weed pollen is highest in late summer.

Some of the most common causes of tree allergy symptoms include:

  • alder
  • aspen
  • ash
  • beech
  • birch

Some of the most common grasses that cause allergic reactions are:

  • orchard
  • Kentucky
  • Bermuda
  • Johnson
  • rye

Changes in weather can also affect how much pollen these plants release. Warm days increase plant growth and fertilization, whereas rainy days dampen the spread of pollen.

Windy days help the pollen to spread more quickly, which can increase a person’s allergy symptoms.

Spring allergies can cause the following symptoms:

A doctor may perform several tests to diagnose a spring allergy, including the following:

  • Skin prick test: A doctor scratches a small amount of the allergen into the person’s skin to look for any reaction. Results take around 10 to 20 minutes.
  • Intradermal test: This is usually more sensitive than a prick test. It involves the doctor injecting a tiny amount of the allergen under the skin to see if there is a reaction.
  • Blood test: The doctor will take a blood sample and send it to a lab. The lab technician will add the allergen to the sample to see if the number of antibodies produced increases.

The doctor may also ask the person about their symptoms, home and work environments, and family medical history.

Treatments for spring allergies can include taking medication, as well as trying some home remedies.

A range of medications is available to treat spring allergy symptoms. These medications are available both over the counter (OTC) and by prescription.

A doctor or pharmacist may recommend some of the following for managing symptoms of spring allergies:

  • Antihistamines: Antihistamines can relieve symptoms such as itchy eyes and nose, runny nose, and sneezing. They are available in pill, nasal spray, or liquid forms.
  • Nasal corticosteroids: A type of nasal spray that reduces inflammation. Doctors consider them the most effective medication for allergic rhinitis.
  • Decongestants: These work by shrinking the lining of the nasal passages and reducing stuffiness. Decongestants come in pill, liquid, drop, and nasal spray form. Long-term use can cause side effects.
  • Leukotriene pathway inhibitors: These tablets block the action of certain chemicals involved in allergic reactions.
  • Eye drops: Eye drops treat eye allergies. Eye drops can provide short-term relief for redness, itchiness, and swelling.
  • Saline rinse: A Saline rinse can help relieve a stuffy nose and congestion by thinning out extra mucus from the nasal passages.
  • Additional nasal sprays: other sprays are available to soothe dry nasal passages or thick mucus, reduce postnasal drip symptoms, and help prevent allergic reactions.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a long-term solution that aims to desensitize people to their allergies.

There are two types of immunotherapy: allergy shots and sublingual tablets.

Allergy shots involve having allergen injections for 3 to 5 years. These injections help build up resistance to the allergen.

Sublingual tablets only treat certain types of allergies. They require a person to dissolve a tablet under their tongue every day for up to 3 years. A person can start taking the pills in the months before spring.

To prevent exposure to pollen and mold, the following steps may help:

  • Check local pollen counts and limit time outside when pollen levels are high.
  • Keep garden grass short.
  • Wear a dust mask when mowing the lawn and gardening.
  • Avoid dead and rotting logs.
  • Keep all windows closed if possible and use allergy-friendly filters on air conditioning units.
  • Bathe or wash daily before going to bed to remove pollen.
  • Wash bed linen once a week.
  • Change and wash clothes after being outdoors.
  • Dry clothes in a dryer if possible instead of outdoors.
  • Remove shoes before entering the house.
  • Wear hats and sunglasses when outside to limit pollen from entering the eyes and landing in the hair.
  • Vacuum floors at least once a week.

A person should contact a doctor or an allergy specialist if they believe they are experiencing allergies or if they wish to discuss their treatment plan for an existing allergy diagnosis.

An allergy specialist can help determine the type of allergy and advise on suitable treatments and prevention tips.

Spring allergies, also known as allergic rhinitis and hay fever, cause symptoms such as a runny nose, headaches, coughing, and sneezing.

Tree, grass, and weed pollen are common causes of pollen allergies. Tree pollen allergies are more common in early spring, while grass pollen allergies occur more frequently in late spring.

A person should consult a healthcare professional if they suspect they have seasonal allergies or if they wish to discuss their treatment options. They may recommend treatments such as oral medications and nasal sprays.

Taking steps to reduce exposure to pollen, such as shutting windows and showering daily before bed, can also help.