Do You Need To See A Seasonal Allergy Doctor?

It’s always a welcome change when the weather starts warming up. Spring and summer are some of the most enjoyable months of the year – filled with quality time with family and friends.

But do you worry about this season because it tends to be the time of year when your allergies start flaring up? If you have seasonal allergies, the symptoms of this condition can take a toll on your lifestyle and wellness.

Mild symptoms are relatively easy to manage. But seasonal allergy sufferers with moderate or severe symptoms find that this condition can take a toll on daily activities. It’s hard to focus on work or meet your responsibilities if you aren’t feeling your best due to sinus congestion and other related symptoms.

If you find that allergies affect your day-to-day activities, then it might be time to schedule a consultation with a skilled ENT and allergy doctor. Our experienced seasonal allergy doctors at Collin County Ear, Nose, and Throat are ready to help you and your family right away.

Why Am I Suffering from Seasonal Allergies?

The human body is amazing: it has built-in functions to defend you against harmful invaders that could affect your health, including bacteria and viruses. But sometimes, these defense mechanisms are too aggressive and start attacking seemingly harmless compounds, such as mold, dust, and pollen.

So, if your immune response is too strong, exposure to these small compounds can start a domino effect as the defense mechanisms kick in. The body starts executing defense attacks in an effort to stop the perceived enemy.

As a result, many unpleasant symptoms can occur. Most of the time, these symptoms are mild or moderate. But a person with severe allergies could face life-threatening symptoms when exposed to triggers.

There are many causes of allergic reactions. If you have seasonal allergies, the triggers are typically expected in the seasons when the trees and flowers are blooming. You might be allergic to plant pollen.

Other non-seasonal allergens are found in the environment and might include household dust, mold, pets, food, insect stings, feathers, chemicals, perfume, smoke, and more.

Who Is Affected by Seasonal Allergies?

The truth is that seasonal allergies can affect people of all ages, races, gender, and socioeconomic factors. Even though asthma and allergies are common in children, they can also affect adults. Some people start developing seasonal allergies in adulthood for the first time.

Researchers are still trying to understand the genetic factors that affect seasonal allergies. But there tends to be a connection in families. If your parents, siblings, and other blood relatives have been diagnosed with seasonal allergies, then there is a higher likelihood that you will also be affected by these symptoms.

Seasonal Allergy Symptoms and How They Differ from the Common Cold

When a seasonal allergy response is happening in the body, it means that you have been exposed to pollen or another seasonal compound in the air and environment. The immune system kicks into gear, and you might experience a variety of symptoms.

Sneezing
Runny nose
Coughing
Congestion
Itching eyes and nose
Watery eyes
Asthma or difficulty breathing
Hives or skin allergies

Keep in mind that many of these symptoms are similar to the common cold. But some distinct differences help you know if you are suffering from seasonal allergies or a head cold. For example, a common cold starts suddenly, and the symptoms develop quickly. In contrast, allergy symptoms tend to be gradual.

Another difference is the length of time in which you are experiencing symptoms. If you have a common cold, the symptoms will usually disappear within a week or two. On the other hand, seasonal allergies will continue as long as you are exposed to the triggers – which could be for the entire season.

How Seasonal Allergy Doctors Can Help

Identifying your allergy triggers is the ideal solution to achieve the best results. Then, the allergy doctor can find an ideal treatment that alleviates your symptoms. Plus, understanding your allergy triggers is essential so that you know the lifestyle changes that must happen to reduce exposure.

The first steps to diagnose seasonal allergies by identifying the allergy and asthma triggers. Then, lifestyle modifications can be recommended to help you avoid these triggers. Additionally, different types of medical treatments might minimize the effects of allergens.

What to Expect When Visiting an Allergy Doctor

There are a few common things you can expect when visiting seasonal allergy doctors.

Allergy Testing: Different tests can help you determine which allergens are causing your reactions.
Education: Experienced seasonal allergy doctors will offer recommendations to help you prevent the symptoms. You might not be able to avoid the allergens altogether, but there are lifestyle changes that can be made to minimize your exposure and reduce symptoms.
Medications: Sometimes, it makes sense to use medications as a way to control the condition. For example, allergy medications help minimize congestion and reduce the responses in your body.
Immunotherapy: Patients can have great success with immunotherapy treatments, available in sublingual tablets or as allergy shots. In the beginning, the injections are weak, but then the dosage gets stronger and stronger – helping patients achieve better results over time.