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.
Help Getting Rid of Allergies
troy saunders asked:
The word allergy is derived from the Greek words “allos,” meaning different or changed and “ergos,” meaning work or action. Allergy roughly alludes to an “altered reaction.”
An allergy alludes to an exaggerated reaction by our immune mechanism replying to bodily contact with certain foreign substances. Allergic peoples’s bodies recognize the foreign substance and one part of the immune mechanism is turned on. Allergy-producing substances are called “allergens.” Examples of allergens include pollens, dust mite, molds, danders, and foods. To comprehend the language of allergy it is necessary to recollect that allergens are substances that are foreign to the body and may cause an allergic reaction in certain people.
The immune mechanism is the body’s arranged defensive mechanism against foreign invaders, particularly infections. Its job is to recognize and react to these foreign substances, which are called antigens. The purpose of the immune mechanism is to muster its forces at the site of invasion and destroy the enemy. One of the strategies it does this is to create protecting proteins called antibodies that are specifically targeted against particular foreign substances.
When an allergen comes in contact with the body, it causes the immune mechanism to develop an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to it. When you inappropriately react to allergens that are normally harmless to folk, you are having an allergic reaction and can be called allergic or atopic.
Allergic Rhinitis.
Year round or evergreen allergic rhinitis is typically due to indoor allergens, like dust mites, animal dander, or molds. It can also be due to pollens. Symptoms result from the inflammation of the tissues that line the interior of the nose (mucus lining or surfaces ) after allergens are inhaled.
Asthma.
Asthma is a breathing problem that results from the inflammation and spasm of the lung’s air passages (bronchial tubes). The inflammation causes a narrowing of the air passages, which limits the flow of air into and out of the lungs.
This condition is frequently related to allergic rhinitis or asthma.
Hives.
Hives ( urticaria ) are skin reactions that appear as itchy swellings and can occur on any bit of the body. Hives can be due to an allergic reaction, like to a food or medicine, but they also may occur in non-allergic people.
Allergic Eyes.
Allergic eyes (allergic conjunctivitis) is inflammation of the tissue layers (membranes) that cover the skin of the eyeball and the undersurface of the eyelid. The inflammation occurs as a consequence of an allergic reaction
Allergic Shock.
Allergic shock ( anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock ) is a potentially terminal allergic reaction that will affect a number of organs at the same time. This reply usually happens when the allergen is eaten (for example, foods ) or injected (for example, a bee sting).
Master The Technique of Controlling Allergies at HealthyLivingDigest.com
The word allergy is derived from the Greek words “allos,” meaning different or changed and “ergos,” meaning work or action. Allergy roughly alludes to an “altered reaction.”
An allergy alludes to an exaggerated reaction by our immune mechanism replying to bodily contact with certain foreign substances. Allergic peoples’s bodies recognize the foreign substance and one part of the immune mechanism is turned on. Allergy-producing substances are called “allergens.” Examples of allergens include pollens, dust mite, molds, danders, and foods. To comprehend the language of allergy it is necessary to recollect that allergens are substances that are foreign to the body and may cause an allergic reaction in certain people.
The immune mechanism is the body’s arranged defensive mechanism against foreign invaders, particularly infections. Its job is to recognize and react to these foreign substances, which are called antigens. The purpose of the immune mechanism is to muster its forces at the site of invasion and destroy the enemy. One of the strategies it does this is to create protecting proteins called antibodies that are specifically targeted against particular foreign substances.
When an allergen comes in contact with the body, it causes the immune mechanism to develop an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to it. When you inappropriately react to allergens that are normally harmless to folk, you are having an allergic reaction and can be called allergic or atopic.
Allergic Rhinitis.
Year round or evergreen allergic rhinitis is typically due to indoor allergens, like dust mites, animal dander, or molds. It can also be due to pollens. Symptoms result from the inflammation of the tissues that line the interior of the nose (mucus lining or surfaces ) after allergens are inhaled.
Asthma.
Asthma is a breathing problem that results from the inflammation and spasm of the lung’s air passages (bronchial tubes). The inflammation causes a narrowing of the air passages, which limits the flow of air into and out of the lungs.
This condition is frequently related to allergic rhinitis or asthma.
Hives.
Hives ( urticaria ) are skin reactions that appear as itchy swellings and can occur on any bit of the body. Hives can be due to an allergic reaction, like to a food or medicine, but they also may occur in non-allergic people.
Allergic Eyes.
Allergic eyes (allergic conjunctivitis) is inflammation of the tissue layers (membranes) that cover the skin of the eyeball and the undersurface of the eyelid. The inflammation occurs as a consequence of an allergic reaction
Allergic Shock.
Allergic shock ( anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock ) is a potentially terminal allergic reaction that will affect a number of organs at the same time. This reply usually happens when the allergen is eaten (for example, foods ) or injected (for example, a bee sting).
Master The Technique of Controlling Allergies at HealthyLivingDigest.com
