Seasonal Allergies

AAT’S Natural Approach Provides Lasting Relief for Seasonal Allergy Sufferers

It’s a well-known fact that pollen allergies are prevalent worldwide, affecting over 400 million people every year with hay fever symptoms, also known as allergic rhinitis. These symptoms can occur throughout the year, causing discomfort and making outdoor activities unpleasant for many. Depending on the type of plant and the individual’s location, the time of year and the duration of allergy symptoms can vary. For instance, while some may experience symptoms during spring, others may have more symptoms in the summer or fall. Additionally, while pollen counts are generally higher during warmer seasons, some plants continue to pollinate year-round.

If you’re suffering with Hay Fever or other seasonal symptoms, rest assured that you’re not alone. According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), over 35 million Americans suffer from seasonal allergies, and many of them develop Hay Fever-like symptoms before the age of 30.

The good news is that most brightly colored and fragrant flowering plants are usually not a major cause of allergy symptoms. This is because their pollen is heavier and relies on insects to spread from one plant to another. Interestingly, heavier and visible pollen are not usually the culprit for typical pollen reactions. In contrast, the plants and trees that tend to trigger allergy symptoms are those that rely on wind to spread their pollen and often have less conspicuous flowers. These pollens, which are carried by the wind, such as grasses, weeds, and trees, are often very lightweight and almost invisible to the naked eye, but can still cause significant sinus problems.

In general, the most common pollen triggers for each season are:

Springtime: Trees     |        Summer: Grasses         |       Fall: Weeds

While there are various causes of Hay Fever, it’s not uncommon for individuals to react to more than one type of pollen, which can result in symptoms lasting for months.

Hay Fever (Allergic Rhinitis), causes cold-like symptoms which can include:

Spring:

During springtime, seasonal allergy symptoms are mainly caused by tree pollens. Trees are among the earliest pollen producers, releasing most of their pollen between March and the end of May, although the timing can vary depending on the State. Some Southern States may experience tree pollens as early as January.

Did you know that trees pollinated by the wind can cause allergy symptoms to worsen, regardless of whether they are on your property or not. These trees release copious amounts of pollen that can travel miles away from their original source, exacerbating allergy symptoms. The specific type of tree pollen that an individual is reacting to determines the duration and timing of springtime allergy symptoms. This is why certain individuals may experience more severe symptoms during certain periods of the spring season, or for just a few weeks. In addition, grass pollens can also contribute to allergy symptoms, often overlapping with tree pollens towards the end of spring.

The most common tree pollen culprits are:

SUMMER:

The leading cause of summer Hay Fever symptoms is attributed to Grass Pollens. These pollens are typically active from mid-to-late May and extend through the end of June to early July.

During late spring and early summer, the tree pollen season can coincide with the grass pollen season. Moreover, the Chenopodiaceae family’s plants, also known as Chenopods, start flowering during the summer season and continue to do so throughout the fall. This can also contribute to symptoms during the summer.

Apart from grass pollens, individuals may experience skin symptoms such as rashes, itching skin, or hives while touching, walking through, or sitting in the grass.

The most common grass pollen culprits are:

Common chenopod pollens contributing to symptoms

FALL:

Ragweed is the most prevalent pollen allergy during the Fall season. It is worth noting that a single Ragweed plant can produce up to one billion pollens, and due to their lightness, the pollen can travel for hundreds of miles through the wind. This means that one does not necessarily have to live near a ragweed plant to experience allergy symptoms. While ragweed is the most common culprit, there are several other weeds that can also cause sinus issues. Additionally, Chenopod pollens, which are also wind pollinated, extend throughout the Fall months. Finally, molds are also prevalent in the Fall season, particularly once the trees start turning and the leaves start falling.

The most common weed and chenopod pollen culprits are:

For those who suffer from allergies or sensitivities to multiple types of pollens, the overlapping seasons can be a nightmare. The constant reactions can make life difficult, especially during high pollen times of the year. Unfortunately, it doesn’t end there. When the pollen counts are high, it can exacerbate other common allergy triggers such as mold, dust, dust mites, animal dander, or cockroaches. This is because the body is already under stress from dealing with high levels of pollen, which puts an added burden on the system.

Did you know that the majority of plants, trees, and shrubs planted in urban areas are male, which is important because male plants produce the pollen that causes most seasonal allergy symptoms. The reason homeowners and developers choose male plants is that they don’t produce seedpods or fruits, which keeps yards and surrounding areas clean and low maintenance. Unfortunately, the most pollen-producing plants are being planted because they don’t create a mess, and they are being planted around most business developments, schools, hospitals, and suburban housing developments. As a result, with more urban development taking place and more male pollen-producing plants being planted, allergy symptoms are likely to increase.

The pollen problem is exacerbated by environmental factors such as rising levels of greenhouse gases and climate change, which are contributing to a surge in pollen production.

CLIMATE CHANGE:

The effects of greenhouse gases on our planet are significant, particularly when it comes to seasonal allergies. With higher concentrations and longer seasons of pollen, more and more individuals are experiencing symptoms.

Scientists are observing that climate change is causing changes in precipitation patterns, an increase in the number of frost-free days, warmer seasonal air temperatures, and an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels. These changes have the potential to impact:

AAT has established treatment protocols for addressing both seasonal symptoms and climate change modifications to plants and pollens, which can lead to unwanted symptoms. The good news is that with these protocols in place, AAT can effectively reduce the symptoms associated with seasonal allergies and sensitivities to improve your overall well-being. Let’s get you enjoying the outdoors again!