Understanding Spring Allergies

Spring Sneezing: Understanding Seasonal Allergies

The springtime brings warmer weather and longer days, as well as an onset of seasonal allergies! The healthcare experts are here to share a few of the most common environmental allergens that can trigger your allergy symptoms during springtime.

What are Environmental Allergies?

An allergy happens when your body perceives an outside substance as harmful, causing your immune system to overreact in an attempt to protect you. This immune response is called an allergic reaction. When comes to environmental allergies, these are brought on by allergens that float through the air and enter your body through your lungs or your skin.

Allergy Symptoms

If you experience an influx of the following symptoms during the spring and summer months, you may have seasonal environmental allergies:

• Cough
• Chest tightness
• Hives
• Itchy eyes
• Itchy nose
• Mucus buildup in the throat
• Rashes
• Redness
• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Stuffy nose
• Stomach cramps
• Swollen eyes
• Throat closing
• Tongue swelling
• Wheezing
• Feeling like something bad is going to happen

It is important to keep in mind that the above symptoms don’t always suggest the presence of allergies and can be a sign of other health conditions. If you suspect that you may have seasonal allergies, talk to your primary care doctor.

Common Environmental Allergy Triggers

Some of the most common environmental triggers that bring on an allergic reaction during the spring and summer months include:

• Pollen
• Grass/ragweed
• Smoke
• Dust mites
• Pet dander
• Mold

Contact Kirby Medical Center

At Kirby Medical Center, we are dedicated to helping our community learn how to stay healthy and safe. If you are concerned about your health risks and the types of vaccines that are right for you, contact Kirby Medical Center at 217-762-2115 to learn more about how we can assist with all your healthcare needs.