Allergies Nose & Eye Allergies Print How to Treat and Prevent Spring Allergies Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Sanja Jelic, MD on October 27, 2016 Sanja Jelic, MD is board-certified in sleep medicine, critical care medicine, pulmonary disease, and internal medicine. Learn about our Medical Review Board Sanja Jelic, MD Written by twitter linkedin Written by Pat Bass, MD Dr. Bass is a board-certified internist, pediatrician, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Physicians. Learn about our editorial policy Pat Bass, MD Updated on November 17, 2019 Allergies Overview Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Coping Jamie Grill / Getty Images People who enjoy a reprieve from allergy symptoms in the cold winter months often dread the return of spring. With spring comes the increased output of pollen from trees, grass, and weeds and the specter of allergic rhinitis (hay fever). According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly eight percent of American adults (20 million) and over seven percent of children (six million) experience seasonal allergies. Symptoms of spring allergies include: SneezingNasal congestionA runny noseItchy, watery eyesMouth or throat itchinessWheezingCoughingDifficulty breathingChest tightness The CDC reports that children between 12 and 17 are especially vulnerable. Moreover, seasonal allergies may increase the incidence or severity of respiratory symptoms in adults and children with asthma. Allergies and Asthma Through the Seasons Common Spring Allergens An allergen is any substance that elicits an abnormal immune response during which the body fights off a perceived threat that is otherwise harmless. Pollen released by trees and other plants during the spring is a common allergen. Pollen is central to plant reproduction and easily inhaled as fine, powdery particles that readily drift in the air. The trees most commonly associated with allergic rhinitis in the U.S. include: AshBirchCypressElmHickoryMapleOakPoplarSycamoreWalnutWestern red cedar In the later spring, grass pollens are the key culprit and may include: Bermuda grassBluegrassOrchard grassRed top grassSweet vernal grassTimothy grass By contrast, allergens like ragweed are more commonly seen in summer. Mold spores are also a common cause of allergies starting in spring and continuing right through autumn. Outdoor molds include Alternaria, Cladosporium, and Hormodendrun. What You Should Know About Seasonal Allergies and Pollen Allergies Diagnosis Seasonal allergies are pretty self-evident and rarely need diagnostic testing. With that being said, if allergy symptoms are unrelenting despite treatment, you may want to have a doctor check for other causes or contributing factors. This is especially true if breathing problems are severe. Severe sufferers may also need a referral to an allergist to identify the specific allergens wreaking havoc. By doing so, the doctor may be able to prescribe allergy shots to temper the immune response. Seasonal Allergies Doctor Discussion Guide Get our printable guide for your next doctor's appointment to help you ask the right questions. Download PDF Email the Guide Send to yourself or a loved one. Sign Up This Doctor Discussion Guide has been sent to {{form.email}}. There was an error. Please try again. Treatment Medications are typically used to either alleviate the symptoms of seasonal allergy or mitigate the body's response to airborne allergens. Among the options: Oral antihistamines work by suppressing histamine, a chemical produced by the body that triggers allergy symptoms.Nasal decongestants are over-the-counter products available in oral, liquid, spray, and nasal drop formulations. They offer short-term relief by causing blood vessels in the nose to shrink.Nasal steroid sprays, available in regular- and prescription-strength, work by reducing the swelling and production of mucus in nasal passages.Eye drops can be used to treat eye allergy symptoms. Options include short-term OTC drops that contain a topical decongestant or prescription drops that combine an antihistamine with a mast cell inhibitor. In addition to medications, people will often turn to traditional neti pots to help irrigate and open blocked nasal passages. How to Use a Neti Pot for Health Benefits Prevention While there are few ways to entirely avoid allergens during allergy season, there are certain precautions you can take to minimize exposure: Know your pollen counts. Check your local weather forecast or the National Allergy Bureau website to get daily pollen counts as well as the breakdown of pollen or mold types.Stay indoors during high counts. If you must go outdoors, do it later in the day when counts are typically lower.Use a HEPA filter. These are designed to remove airborne particles. Keep windows shut and use an air conditioner if needed.Close your windows when driving. Shut the vents and either recirculate the air or use your air conditioner.Vacuum and dust frequently. "Pet-friendly" vacuum cleaners often do the best job of sucking up pollen and other allergens such dander.Shower before bedtime. The body and hair can collect surprising amounts of pollen whenever outdoors. Also, be sure to wash any clothes you've been wearing as soon as possible.Avoid drying clothes outdoors. Pollen can easily settle in the fibers and trigger symptoms when the put the clothes on later. How Allergies Affect Your Mood and Energy Level Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial policy to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. AAFA. Allergy Facts | AAFA.org. Zahran HS, Bailey CM, Damon SA, Garbe PL, Breysse PN. Vital Signs: Asthma in Children - United States, 2001-2016. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2018;67(5):149-155. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm6705e1 Ludwig J. Plants, Trees That Cause Spring Allergies, Pollen. AARP. Published March 31, 2011. Jung S, Estrella N, Pfaffl MW, Hartmann S, Handelshauser E, Menzel A. Grass pollen production and group V allergen content of agriculturally relevant species and cultivars. PLoS ONE. 2018;13(3):e0193958. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0193958 Braido F, Lagasio C, Piroddi I, Baiardini I, Canonica G. New treatment options in allergic rhinitis: patient considerations and the role of ciclesonide. Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2008;4(2):353-61. doi:10.2147/tcrm.s1266 InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-. Allergies: Overview. 2017 Jul 13. Additional Reading Church, D.; Church, M.; and Scadding, G. Allergic Rhinitis: Impact, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Management. Pharm J. 2016; 8(8). DOI: 10.1211/CP.2016.20201509. National Center for Health Statistics: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Allergies and Hay Fever. Atlanta, Georgia; updated March 30, 2017. Continue Reading