For those who are allergic to year-round allergens such as dust mites and pet dander, it’s allergy season every day. For seasonal allergens like pollen, grass, or ragweed, you might wonder what months you can get allergies.
In general, allergies begin when trees start budding-around February to May or June-in most areas of the country. And in warm climates, you likely have seasonal allergies year-round, so here is what you ought to know.
When Does Allergy Season Start and End?
In the US, for instance, allergy season can have a year-round effect. This may be the case for someone who has various allergies to plants that thrive in seasons that follow one another. Allergy seasons throughout the year include:
- Tree pollen allergy season, which can start as early as February and last until early summer
- Grass allergy season, which can begin in April and last through June
- This means ragweed allergy season runs from August to November, peaking in September.
There are some exceptions to that, however. Tropical climate grass allergies may be present for a large portion of the year. Additionally, especially rainy springs can help plants grow quicker, causing summer allergies to last through the fall.
Climate change is also affecting allergy season. In fact, a February 2021 study reported that, on average, allergy season had been showing up about 20 days earlier than it did back in 1990. And, there was at least 20% more pollen.
When Should You Begin Taking Your Allergy Medications?
In general, allergy treatment should begin at least a couple of weeks before the start of allergy season to help you stay ahead of the itching, sneezing, drippy nose, and wheezing. “The majority of hay fever [allergy] medications work best if started before a pollen season begins,” Luz Fonacier, MD, head of allergy at NYU Langone Hospital–Long Island, told Health.
He suggested against waiting for your symptoms to get unbearable with nasal antihistamines, steroids, oral antihistamines, and eye drops to alleviate seasonal allergy; however, you should not quit too soon. “The misery can linger until the end of the season, so wait a few weeks before stopping treatment,” said Dr. Fonacier.
How to Be Ahead of Allergy Season
For chronic allergy patients, the aim is to prevent allergic reactions before they start. You can prepare for your allergy season by keeping in mind the following tips.
Be aware of pollen counts.
Keep an eye on pollen counts at home or a travel destination. You can find this information in the newspaper, on the radio, and on television or by looking it up online for the area you’ll be in.
Improve Air Quality
When indoors, you want to make sure the air is as clean as possible. Close windows and doors, and opt to use an air conditioner if necessary to cool your home on warmer days.
Minimize Allergen Exposure
There are ways to minimize the amount that you are exposed to the pollen that might trigger your allergies. They include:
- Doing outdoor activities later in the day
- Limiting gardening or yardwork-based activities
- Staying indoors when pollen counts are higher
- Taking a shower to remove any pollen on your body
- Wearing a mask or wraparound glasses if you have to do anything outdoors
Pay attention to patterns of allergy symptoms.
It may help to pay attention to those specific patterns of symptoms if you’ve had them but haven’t been officially diagnosed with allergies. For example, visiting an allergist may be a good idea if you’ve been having the same allergy symptoms around March yearly.
Stick to Your Medication Schedule
Keeping up with a schedule with your allergy medication will help strengthen your immune system. It will also help ensure that you won’t need more medication to avoid future allergic episodes.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
In some cases, you can control your allergies without seeing an allergist. However, you should see a healthcare provider for the following:
- Increased wheezing and coughing
- No symptom improvement with treatment
- Severe allergy symptoms
It’s also the right time to consult a health care provider when your usual drugs were helpful previously but are becoming less helpful now. “An allergist has advanced training and experience to properly diagnose your condition with a good history, examination, skin testing, or a blood test,” said Dr. Fonacier. “They can help you identify your allergy triggers, advise on how to avoid them, and even detect complications early.”.
- A different diagnosis (i.e., you have a sinus infection and not seasonal allergies)
- High exposure to the allergen
- You cannot avoid exposure to the allergen
You might have begun treatment too late, said Dr. Fonacier. An allergist can help you get to the bottom of whatever is at the root of it—and hopefully find some relief from your symptoms.
