Pollen allergy may be the reason for your sneezing in spite of a change in seasons
Mark Bevan asked:
About Hay Fever
In the various seasons (spring, summer, and fall) during the year, pollen grains are dispersed from trees, weeds, and grasses. These pollen grains travel on air currents to fertilize other plants. Inhaling pollen, in some people, can trigger seasonal allergic rhinitis which is also called pollen allergy or hay fever. In this condition the mucous membranes in the nasal passages inflame, which causes swelling, sneezing, itching, irritation and a runny nose.
Allergy seasons are :
May – July/August – Grass pollen: Feb – June – Tree pollen (depending on whether allergic to early or late flowering trees) August – September – Nettle/weed pollen
Hay fever symptoms can continue all the year round and may also occur from indoor allergens like house dust mites, pets and possibly indoor moulds.
Hay fever is actually an attempt by the body to rid itself of allergens but the immune system overreacts and releases chemicals which cause inflammation, causing:
Itchy, watery, red eyes Frequent sneezing Constantly dripping nose
Sufferers, when afflicted with this condition, have to struggle to breathe through their nose. Symptoms are often quite bad in young people and tails off in later years as the body adapts. Studies have shown that hay fever can severely affect the quality of life, disturb sleep patterns, impair daytime concentration and work performance.
What is pollen allergy?
Pollen once released from trees, weeds and grasses, ride on air currents with a mission to disperse and fertilize other plants. However, they rarely reach their targets. On the way they get into human noses and throats, triggering allergic reactions.
Pollen is one of the most pervasive things that can cause an allergy and cannot be avoided. Many allergy causing foods, drugs, or animals can be largely avoided but insects and household dust are inescapable. However, short of staying indoors, there is no foolproof method of evading windborne pollen. Nonetheless, ways have been established that help ease the symptoms of hay fever. Moreover, scientists are working to find better approaches to allergy treatment.
Research has helped provide a better understanding of the causes of allergy, improve the methods for diagnosing and treating allergic reactions and thereby eventually preventing them. The common signs and symptoms of pollen allergy are:
Sneezing, the most common, may be accompanied by a runny or clogged nose Itching eyes, nose, and throat Allergic shiners (dark circles under the eyes caused by restricted blood flow near the sinuses) The “allergic salute” (in a child, persistent upward rubbing of the nose that causes a crease mark on the nose) Watering eyes Conjunctivitis (is inflammation of the membrane that lines the eyelids, causing red-rimmed eyes)
In a pollen-sensitive person, as soon as the allergy-causing pollen lands on the mucous membranes of the nose, a chain reaction occurs that leads the mast cells in these tissues to release histamine. This potent chemical dilates the small blood vessels in the nose; causing the fluids to escape through the expanded vessel walls, which in turn results in swelling of the nasal passages as well as nasal congestion. On the other hand, histamine also causes itching, irritation, and excess mucus production. Similarly, other chemicals like prostaglandins and leukotrienes also contribute to allergic symptoms.
Some people with pollen allergy also develop asthma, a serious respiratory condition, which can eventually become chronic. Symptoms include coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath due to a narrowing of the bronchial passages and excess mucus production.
About Hay Fever
In the various seasons (spring, summer, and fall) during the year, pollen grains are dispersed from trees, weeds, and grasses. These pollen grains travel on air currents to fertilize other plants. Inhaling pollen, in some people, can trigger seasonal allergic rhinitis which is also called pollen allergy or hay fever. In this condition the mucous membranes in the nasal passages inflame, which causes swelling, sneezing, itching, irritation and a runny nose.
Allergy seasons are :
May – July/August – Grass pollen: Feb – June – Tree pollen (depending on whether allergic to early or late flowering trees) August – September – Nettle/weed pollen
Hay fever symptoms can continue all the year round and may also occur from indoor allergens like house dust mites, pets and possibly indoor moulds.
Hay fever is actually an attempt by the body to rid itself of allergens but the immune system overreacts and releases chemicals which cause inflammation, causing:
Itchy, watery, red eyes Frequent sneezing Constantly dripping nose
Sufferers, when afflicted with this condition, have to struggle to breathe through their nose. Symptoms are often quite bad in young people and tails off in later years as the body adapts. Studies have shown that hay fever can severely affect the quality of life, disturb sleep patterns, impair daytime concentration and work performance.
What is pollen allergy?
Pollen once released from trees, weeds and grasses, ride on air currents with a mission to disperse and fertilize other plants. However, they rarely reach their targets. On the way they get into human noses and throats, triggering allergic reactions.
Pollen is one of the most pervasive things that can cause an allergy and cannot be avoided. Many allergy causing foods, drugs, or animals can be largely avoided but insects and household dust are inescapable. However, short of staying indoors, there is no foolproof method of evading windborne pollen. Nonetheless, ways have been established that help ease the symptoms of hay fever. Moreover, scientists are working to find better approaches to allergy treatment.
Research has helped provide a better understanding of the causes of allergy, improve the methods for diagnosing and treating allergic reactions and thereby eventually preventing them. The common signs and symptoms of pollen allergy are:
Sneezing, the most common, may be accompanied by a runny or clogged nose Itching eyes, nose, and throat Allergic shiners (dark circles under the eyes caused by restricted blood flow near the sinuses) The “allergic salute” (in a child, persistent upward rubbing of the nose that causes a crease mark on the nose) Watering eyes Conjunctivitis (is inflammation of the membrane that lines the eyelids, causing red-rimmed eyes)
In a pollen-sensitive person, as soon as the allergy-causing pollen lands on the mucous membranes of the nose, a chain reaction occurs that leads the mast cells in these tissues to release histamine. This potent chemical dilates the small blood vessels in the nose; causing the fluids to escape through the expanded vessel walls, which in turn results in swelling of the nasal passages as well as nasal congestion. On the other hand, histamine also causes itching, irritation, and excess mucus production. Similarly, other chemicals like prostaglandins and leukotrienes also contribute to allergic symptoms.
Some people with pollen allergy also develop asthma, a serious respiratory condition, which can eventually become chronic. Symptoms include coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath due to a narrowing of the bronchial passages and excess mucus production.
Explaining Nasal Allergies – Allergens That Make You Sneeze Exposed
Abhishek Agarwal asked:
If you are prone to sneezing problems then blame it on your genetics and your body’s lack of immunity. Allergic rhinitis or nasal allergy is bound to occur in a person if they are exposed to allergens, pollution, and cigarette smoke or happen to have a low weight at birth.
Doctors are puzzled as to why some people are allergic to certain substances while others are not, but one thing they are sure is that your body responds to these allergens. Your body’s immune system has been programmed in such a way as to react whenever a foreign body gets into the nose and these triggers off a series of reactions in the body when the immune system begins its fight to repel the substance. During this process a chemical substance called histamine is released. This is why your eyes begin to water and your nose starts running. At times more severe problems like wheezing and breathing difficulties occur in some people.
Many a times it is allergens which are present in the atmosphere that are the main cause for nasal allergies though these allergens can come from different sources. One of the main causes of nasal allergies through out the country is due to pollens, and their concentration can vary according to the places. Some places may be concentrated with flowering varieties which can generate enough pollen in the air while it may not be so in other places. Some pollen like rag weed can travel far and wide, so even if you live in a city you may still be affected by it. Flowering trees, plants, grass and bushes can also release a number of pollen grains into the air causing nasal allergies.
Though dust can cause you to sneeze it may not cause nasal allergy. But dust mites which are tiny microscopic organisms which can be found in mattresses, carpets and furniture can cause nasal allergy. You will know for sure that it is the dust mites which are actually causing you to sneeze when in the winter months the pollens in the air are at a minimal and you still find yourself sneezing endlessly.
Another serious allergic problem is caused by animal dander. Dander which comes from pets like dogs and cats easily settle down in carpets and furniture and cause you to experience sneezing problems even after you have got rid of your pets. The only way that you can get rid of dander once and for all is getting the carpet and upholstery in the sofas in your home vacuumed thoroughly and having them shampooed.
You will know that you are having a nasal allergy the moment your nose starts to twitch and you begin sneezing for no reason. It is the body’s way of trying to get rid of the allergen. The nose then starts to run and this is how the body’s mechanism tries to wash out the allergen. A little later say after a few hours you will find that you are now having a stuffy nose and you become extremely sensitive to other irritants. You will have to endure this for the duration it takes for the body to have the allergen to be cleared from your body. For some people they can develop more serious problems like asthma or sinus infections.
If you are prone to sneezing problems then blame it on your genetics and your body’s lack of immunity. Allergic rhinitis or nasal allergy is bound to occur in a person if they are exposed to allergens, pollution, and cigarette smoke or happen to have a low weight at birth.
Doctors are puzzled as to why some people are allergic to certain substances while others are not, but one thing they are sure is that your body responds to these allergens. Your body’s immune system has been programmed in such a way as to react whenever a foreign body gets into the nose and these triggers off a series of reactions in the body when the immune system begins its fight to repel the substance. During this process a chemical substance called histamine is released. This is why your eyes begin to water and your nose starts running. At times more severe problems like wheezing and breathing difficulties occur in some people.
Many a times it is allergens which are present in the atmosphere that are the main cause for nasal allergies though these allergens can come from different sources. One of the main causes of nasal allergies through out the country is due to pollens, and their concentration can vary according to the places. Some places may be concentrated with flowering varieties which can generate enough pollen in the air while it may not be so in other places. Some pollen like rag weed can travel far and wide, so even if you live in a city you may still be affected by it. Flowering trees, plants, grass and bushes can also release a number of pollen grains into the air causing nasal allergies.
Though dust can cause you to sneeze it may not cause nasal allergy. But dust mites which are tiny microscopic organisms which can be found in mattresses, carpets and furniture can cause nasal allergy. You will know for sure that it is the dust mites which are actually causing you to sneeze when in the winter months the pollens in the air are at a minimal and you still find yourself sneezing endlessly.
Another serious allergic problem is caused by animal dander. Dander which comes from pets like dogs and cats easily settle down in carpets and furniture and cause you to experience sneezing problems even after you have got rid of your pets. The only way that you can get rid of dander once and for all is getting the carpet and upholstery in the sofas in your home vacuumed thoroughly and having them shampooed.
You will know that you are having a nasal allergy the moment your nose starts to twitch and you begin sneezing for no reason. It is the body’s way of trying to get rid of the allergen. The nose then starts to run and this is how the body’s mechanism tries to wash out the allergen. A little later say after a few hours you will find that you are now having a stuffy nose and you become extremely sensitive to other irritants. You will have to endure this for the duration it takes for the body to have the allergen to be cleared from your body. For some people they can develop more serious problems like asthma or sinus infections.
