Seasonal Allergies

Name: Seasonal Allergies
Brand: Premier Allergy & Asthma
Rating: 5 (869 reviews)

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What Seasonal Allergies Do I Have? Take Our Quiz

What are seasonal allergies?

Seasonal allergies, also called hay fever or allergic rhinitis, affect somewhere between 10-30% of the U.S. population, making it one of the most common types of allergies for adults. Seasonal allergies are almost never life-threatening but can cause a wide variety of uncomfortable symptoms, such as a runny or stuffy nose, watery eyes, sneezing, and coughing.
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If you need help diagnosing and managing seasonal allergies in central Ohio, Premier Allergy & Asthma is here to help. Our allergy specialists can identify your primary allergens, prescribe the proper medication, and help you manage your symptoms so that they do not interfere with your day-to-day life.

What causes hay fever?

Tree pollen

Tree pollen is responsible for hay fever and seasonal allergies in the early spring. When most trees begin flowering, pollen is released and spreads. As you breathe in pollinated air, an allergic reaction can occur in your body.

Grass pollen

Grass pollen is another common cause of hay fever. If you primarily experience symptoms in the late spring and in the summer, this may be the main cause of your allergies.

Ragweed pollen

Ragweed is responsible for up to 50% of all seasonal allergies in the US. It is the number one cause of allergies in the late autumn and early fall, so this may be your issue if you tend to develop seasonal allergies later in the year.
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Common hay fever symptoms

The most common symptoms of seasonal allergies include a runny or stuffy nose, watery eyes, an itchy nose, mouth, and throat, sneezing, coughing, or puffy and swollen eyelids.

Diagnosing seasonal allergies

Discussing your lifestyle and environment

To begin, your provider will discuss your medical history and look for clues in your lifestyle. It’s possible that your work and home environment may indicate the source of your hay fever. You will also discuss the frequency and severity of your symptoms to help your provider get a good understanding of your struggles.

Skin tests

Skin tests diagnose your exact allergic substance by introducing a small amount of an allergy into your skin. Then, your allergist will monitor you for a reaction. This can be helpful when determining which allergens are causing your seasonal allergies.

How to treat seasonal allergies

Our providers are committed to helping you live an allergy-free life. With our allergy immunotherapy program, you will be gradually introduced to diluted amounts of allergens through small shots in the back of your arms. This method teaches your immune system to avoid a reaction to these allergens over time. Thanks to allergy immunotherapy, patients can enjoy the long-lasting relief they are looking for.
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For temporary relief, antihistamines can also be prescribed. These medications help counter the effects of histamines, which are the irritating chemicals released as part of your allergic reaction. Corticosteroids and decongestant medicines may also be prescribed to reduce nasal congestion and help reduce coughing so that you can breathe easily.