|
Identifying a Pollen Allergy is the First Step to Recovery |
 When the spring time temperatures begin to go up and nature wakes up outside, everything starts to grow. We love this time of year because it represents new life and the coming of summer. But for someone who suffers with a pollen allergy, springtime brings with it allergy symptoms, suffering and a constant worry about the pollen count to do all you can do to avoid another pollen allergy symptom episode.
Sometimes, we simply lump a pollen allergy in under the general label of "hay fever". That title got attached to a wide variety of seasonal allergies because as a rule, in agricultural communities, hay is harvested in the spring. But hay fever can also be caused by an allergy to mold, dust or even indoor allergens that cause the same symptoms. Also, pollen allergies are not only experienced during the spring. Since plants pollinate all around the calendar, you could experience pollen allergy symptoms just about any time of the year.
One reason that it is a little tricky to make the distinction between a pollen allergy and food allergy symptoms is that both can affect your sinuses and produce similar symptoms. When a pollen allergy episode sets in, your eyes will feel itchy and water and that is accompanied by sneezing, congestion in the sinuses and sometimes nosebleeds. If the symptoms of a pollen allergy become more severe, they can lead to an itchy throat, problems breathing and they can lead to asthma symptoms. You can sometimes spot a victim of a pollen allergy attack because of the dark circles under his or her eyes and they often seem sluggish and lethargic because of the impact of their allergy symptoms.
Sometimes a food allergy will set off sinus related symptoms as well but a food allergy will usually be accompanied by digestive problems like diarrhea, vomiting and extreme gas or heartburn. One way to sort out if the allergy symptoms you have are connected to a pollen allergy or as a reaction to food is the timing of the arrival of an allergic symptom. Food allergy symptoms almost always occur right after eating the offensive food or within an hour of eating.
A pollen allergy problem can affect you at any time. The symptoms of a pollen allergy might be set off while outside while the pollen is active but it could just as easily set in when you are indoors because the pollen came in with you on your clothes or is circulating in the home through the ventilation system. Above all, allergy problems are repetitive and they occur reliably any time you contact an allergy. So once you know what you are allergic to, the changes of a different kind of allergic episode are lower.
If you continue to have problems figuring out whether your allergy symptoms are the result of a pollen allergy or because of a reaction of food, consulting your doctor is always a good idea. Getting expert help with your allergy problem is always smart even if you have all the information you need on what is making you miserable. Your doctor can continue the process of determining exactly what kind of pollen or food is causing your allergy and then help you devise a plan to avoid that allergen or cope with your allergy in some other way.
|