Do you also experience these problems from time to time? Let's talk about seasonal allergies!

Do you also experience symptoms like sneezing, a stuffy nose, and itchy eyes only at certain times? Maybe you also have this seasonal allergy that we are going to talk about. Don't worry, this is a condition that many people have. Shall we talk about this in detail?

What exactly are these seasonal allergies?

Simply put, seasonal allergies are allergies that only occur at certain times of the year. Some people also call it 'Hay Fever'. Other doctors also call this condition 'Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis'. Just think, when trees, grasses, and some plants pollinate their flowers, they release tiny pollen grains (i.e., stamens) into the air, right? Those pollen grains are the cause of this.

Now, not everyone is allergic to this pollen. However, when some people's immune system (that is, the system that protects our body from diseases) sees these pollen grains, it treats them as an enemy. Just like our army fights when an enemy comes to our country, our immune system also starts fighting against these pollen grains. In this fight, certain chemicals called 'histamine' are added to our blood. It is because of these chemicals that we get those allergy symptoms (things like sneezing, stuffy nose). Do you understand?

A person can be allergic to not just one type of pollen, but to several types of pollen. So, the type of pollen you are allergic to determines the time when you experience symptoms. For example, in some countries, tree pollen is most abundant in the first few months of the year. Grass pollen is then present. Other wild plant pollen is present at another time. So, those who are allergic to those pollens experience increased problems during those times. In Sri Lanka, there are also seasons when different plants and flowers are pollinated, and this situation can be seen during those times.

Another thing is that even someone who has never had this type of allergy before can develop this seasonal allergy later in life. It can start at any age. However, it is usually less common in children under 2 years of age. Most people can see this allergy developing by the age of 20.

So, what are the symptoms of this allergy? How do we recognize it?

If you or your child gets symptoms that resemble a 'hay fever' at the same time every year, it's likely that it's caused by seasonal allergies. These allergy symptoms usually start suddenly and last for as long as you're exposed to the allergen (also called pollen). See if these symptoms sound familiar to you:

• Frequent urination.
• Itchy nose and/or throat. Feels like something is tickling inside the nose.
• Nasal congestion. It may also feel like it's hard to breathe.
• Liquid-like mucus coming out of the nose. This is not thick mucus like in a common cold, but more often than not it comes out like water.
• Postnasal drip: A feeling of mucus running down your throat instead of coming out of your nose.

Along with these symptoms, you may also experience itchy, watery eyes, and/or red eyes. This is called 'Allergic Conjunctivitis' . Imagine, sometimes both eyes become red and you can't stop blinking.

Another important thing is that if you or your child has any of these symptoms along with coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath, it means that the allergy may be causing an asthma flare-up. In such cases, you should definitely seek medical advice.

How can you be sure that this is an allergy?

If you suspect that you or your child has seasonal allergies, the best thing to do is see a doctor. The doctor will ask you questions like, "Do these symptoms occur at the same time every year?" and "What kind of environment makes these symptoms worse?" Then they will examine you.

Sometimes the doctor will be able to tell if it's an allergy or not. Otherwise, the doctor may refer you to a doctor who specializes in allergies, called an allergist .

These allergists usually do an 'Allergy Skin Testing' . This is also called 'Skin Prick Testing'. This is what happens: The allergist or one of their nurses puts a drop of liquid containing various allergens (such as pollen) on your skin (usually on the back of your hand or arm). They then wait for about 15 minutes to see if a red, slightly swollen bump (wheal) appears in that area. If a bump appears, it means that you may be allergic to that allergen. The size of the bump and the surrounding redness are then measured with a ruler.

Sometimes, in addition to this skin test, or when that is not possible , a blood test can also be performed.

But one thing to remember. Even if this skin test or blood test shows that you have an allergy, to be sure that it is really an allergy, you also need to have the corresponding symptoms. For example, imagine that someone's test shows that they are allergic to grass pollen, and when they play in a place with grass, they get a lot of itching and their nose gets blocked. That's when they say that they are allergic to grass pollen.

Okay, now what can be done to treat this?

There are many ways to treat these seasonal allergies. It depends on how severe and bothersome your symptoms are. Knowing exactly what you are allergic to is a very important part of treatment. Some people find great relief by reducing their exposure to the things they are allergic to, or even avoiding them altogether if possible.

How can I reduce my exposure to allergens as much as possible?

Imagine, you know that you get these symptoms at certain times of the year. So, try doing some of these things during those times:

• Keep your windows closed as much as possible, especially in the morning and evening when pollen counts are high.
• If possible, use air conditioning. Filtered air from an AC is better than fresh air from outside.
• Stay indoors as much as possible during the high pollen count days. In some countries, pollen counts are reported daily. In Sri Lanka, we also know that there are certain seasons when flowers bloom and pollen counts are high. Reduce going out on such days.
• It is very important for young children with seasonal allergies to wash their hands, shower, and change their bed clothes after playing outside, as pollen may be present on their clothes, skin, and hair.

What types of medications are there?

If staying away from pollen is difficult or doesn't provide much relief, doctors may prescribe medications to help control allergy symptoms. The main ones are:

• Antihistamines, which are taken by mouth, applied to the nose, and applied to the eyes, stop the action of a chemical called histamine.
• Nasal steroid sprays. These help reduce swelling and congestion in the nose.

If these medications don't provide much relief, or if you have to use multiple medications to control your symptoms, your doctor may refer you back to an allergist.

What are allergy shots (immunotherapy)?

Then this allergist doctor will decide whether you are suitable for a treatment called 'Allergy Shots' or 'Immunotherapy' . This involves injecting your body with a very small amount of the type of pollen you are allergic to, little by little, over a period of time. It's like getting our body used to that pollen. Over time, this may reduce or completely eliminate allergy symptoms. But this is a treatment that takes a while.

So, what are the most important things we need to remember from all of this?

Okay, we've talked a lot about seasonal allergies, haven't we? So, finally, here are the most important things you need to remember:

• If you get symptoms like hay fever at the same time every year, it could be a seasonal allergy. Don't just assume it's a cold.
• This is caused by things like pollen. Our immune system overreacts to it.
• Symptoms may include sneezing, itchy nose and throat, nasal congestion, runny nose, and itchy eyes. In some people, this may be associated with asthma.
• If in doubt, always seek medical advice. You may also need to do an allergy test.
• Treatment includes avoiding allergens, medications like antihistamines, and, if necessary, immunotherapy.
• There is nothing to fear, this is a manageable condition. With the right advice and treatment, you can find relief.

Remember, you are not alone. Many people have allergies like this. The most important thing is to recognize the symptoms and seek proper medical advice in a timely manner. Then you can live your life without any discomfort.

` Seasonal Allergies, Seasonal Allergies, Hay Fever, Pollen, Allergy Symptoms, Antihistamines, Immunotherapy