Overview
Seasonal allergies, also called hay fever or seasonal allergic rhinitis, are caused by the body reacting to airborne allergens such as pollen. The immune system treats these substances as harmful and releases chemicals that lead to symptoms in the nose, eyes, and throat. Symptoms often appear at the same time each year, depending on which plants are releasing pollen in your area.
Key Symptoms
Common symptoms include sneezing, a runny or blocked nose, itchy nose, itchy or watery eyes, and postnasal drip. Some people also have coughing, throat irritation, or tiredness from poor sleep. Seasonal allergies usually do not cause fever, but they can sometimes be confused with a cold.
Causes and Risk Factors
The most common cause is pollen from trees, grasses, or weeds. Risk may be higher in people with a personal or family history of allergies, asthma, or eczema. Windy days, high pollen counts, and spending more time outdoors during pollen season can increase exposure.
Who Is Affected
Seasonal allergies can affect children, teens, and adults. They may begin at any age, although many people first notice symptoms in childhood or early adulthood. People living in areas with strong seasonal pollen patterns may notice more predictable flare-ups.
Prevention
You may be able to reduce symptoms by limiting outdoor exposure when pollen counts are high, keeping windows closed during peak pollen times, and showering or changing clothes after being outside. Using air filtration at home and avoiding drying laundry outdoors during pollen season may also help. Local weather or public health sources may provide pollen information.
Diagnosis and Tests
A healthcare professional can often identify seasonal allergies by asking about symptom timing, triggers, and family history. They may also examine the nose, eyes, and throat. In some cases, allergy testing may be discussed to help identify specific triggers.
Treatment Categories
Treatment options may include avoiding triggers, using symptom-relief medicines, and discussing longer-term allergy management with a healthcare professional. Saline nasal rinsing may help some people clear irritants from the nose. If symptoms are frequent, severe, or affecting sleep, school, or work, ask a clinician which treatment approach fits your situation.
Living With It
Tracking when symptoms happen can help you spot patterns and plan ahead for allergy season. Many people find it helpful to check local pollen conditions, keep indoor air cleaner, and adjust outdoor activities on high-pollen days. If allergies affect concentration, sleep, or breathing, speak with a healthcare professional.
When to Seek Medical Care
Seek medical care if symptoms are persistent, getting worse, or interfering with sleep, daily activities, school, or work. Also seek care if symptoms are hard to tell apart from infection, or if over-the-counter products are not helping and you are unsure what to try next. People with asthma should get medical advice if allergy season seems to worsen coughing, wheezing, or chest tightness.
When It May Be an Emergency
Get urgent help right away if there is trouble breathing, severe wheezing, swelling of the lips or tongue, fainting, or signs of a severe allergic reaction. Emergency care is also needed for severe asthma symptoms or if someone cannot speak in full sentences because of breathing difficulty.