Exploring Seasonal Allergies

Many people look forward to the nice weather that comes with spring. Likewise, many dread seeing flowers begin to blossom because they know red, watery eyes, along with runny nose is about to become the norm.

Millions of people suffer from these seasonal allergies which are triggered by airborne pollen, and studies show that the number is only going to continue rising due to the changing climate.¹

The symptoms that present themselves during the allergy season are the body’s direct immune system response to being exposed to pollen. During the spring, flowers begin to blossom, which leads to a much higher pollen count in the air.

When you suffer from some of the symptoms of the change in season, it is typically referred to as hay fever or allergic rhinitis. Unfortunately, there is no specific cure for these allergies. At best, you can limit their symptoms. Highlighted below is an overview of some of the reasons why people suffer from allergies during certain seasons and how to effectively minimize the negative symptoms that allergy season brings.

Why Do People Get Seasonal Allergies?

Due to climate change, pollen is being produced earlier and the seasons are lasting longer.² Therefore, more pollen is being produced throughout the warmer seasons. During the warmer months, including both spring and summer, all kinds of plants begin to release what is known as pollen, a plant’s sperm cells.

These then travel through the air and eventually lands on another plant in order to effectively fertilize it. The problem is that during these months, pollen doesn’t always land on the plants, creating a higher pollen count in the air.

When the pollen count is high, it means there is a lot of pollen in the air. Therefore, anyone that is allergic to pollen is likely to experience the negative symptoms associated with the allergy because you’ll get a lot of pollen trapped in your nose from breathing.

Will Seasonal Allergies Ever Go Away?

The truth is that there’s still a lot more to learn about seasonal allergies. It’s not known why certain people have them and certain people don’t. However, having a parent who suffers from these allergies is going to make it much more likely that you will have them.

There have also been studies that show that there are specific genes that are likely to contribute to seasonal allergies, but there is still more research to be done.³

However, while you might suffer from seasonal allergies at a certain point in your life, your immune system’s response to these allergens can weaken over time. In fact, you might notice that you don’t experience any symptoms at all at some point. The allergies can come and go, but it’s not known why this occurs.

Effective Seasonal Allergy Remedies

Treating seasonal allergies can be a difficult thing to do considering it is not entirely known why people get them. Ideally, you want to communicate with your doctor to figure out the best course of action. However, there are plenty of different remedies that you can try out on your own to see if they has a positive impact on your allergies.

Allergy Shots

One of the most effective options that you could choose to go with for remedying seasonal allergy symptoms would be getting allergy shots. This is typically better for those who suffer from severe symptoms and for those who might already have specific respiratory problems.

An allergy shot essentially introduces a small quantity of pollen into your body in order to help build up your natural immune system’s response to it. This will allow your body to build up a tolerance and help you deal with the increased pollen count.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is another effective way to remedy seasonal allergy symptoms. For instance, peppermint oil is perhaps the best essential oil to use when you are suffering from the most common symptoms of having seasonal allergies including trouble breathing due to sinus buildup and even sore throats.

The reason peppermint oil is so effective is due to the cooling effects it can provide and the fact that it has the ability to reduce inflammation throughout your sinuses and throat. Another good option would be a combination of ravensara, frankincense, and sandalwood, as this has shown to reduce fatigue and improve sleep in individuals who suffer from perennial allergic rhinitis.⁴

Eucalyptus oil is another essential oil that has shown to help with various seasonal allergy symptoms. It is said to help open up the sinuses, which can improve one’s ability to breathe when it might otherwise be difficult to do.

This oil also contains anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Therefore, it can calm inflammation that one might experience when exposed to the allergen. Studies have shown that eucalyptus oil was an effective remedy for those who suffered from upper respiratory infections.⁵

To experience the benefits of aromatherapy, try using a few drops of one of the essential oils mentioned above in a bath or try using them in a room diffuser or personal diffuser like Relieve. Remember: breathe gently into your mouth and out through your nose. MONQ should not be inhaled into the lungs.

Final Thoughts

While the verdict is still out on why people suffer from seasonal allergies, there are clear ways to remedy the symptoms that you might experience. The trick is finding something that works for you. By discussing available options with your doctor, you should be able to find something fitting. Having said that, essential oils and aromatherapy, in general, can have a tremendous impact on your ability to minimize the symptoms that you experience as a result of seasonal allergies. While you might not be able to cure the allergies, you can do your best to limit their impact on your quality of life.

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