No one ever says, “Yay—it’s allergy season!” However, you can alleviate the coughs and runny nose with one critical tool: knowledge. In fact, learning about these things you may not know about seasonal allergies could bring a new resource to your disposal.
Seasonal Allergies Occasionally Cause Muscle Pain
Ow! One of the things you may not know about seasonal allergies is that they can cause muscle pain.
People with Seasonal Allergies May Sleep Poorly
You’ve spent all day coughing and sneezing. At least you can finally get some rest when bedtime comes! Then, you learn the cruelest cut of all: one of the symptoms of seasonal allergies is having trouble sleeping. That just seems excessive, allergies!
You Can Partially Blame Your Immune Systems
Our immune systems work hard to keep us healthy. The symptoms we deal with when we have an illness—like sneezing and coughing—function as tools our immune systems use to defeat viruses. Sometimes, though, our immune systems will attack things like pollen. That results in much-unwanted seasonal allergies.
Why Allergies Won’t “Liver” Us Alone
Livers detoxify our bodies. Their impact also covers seasonal allergies! Because the liver produces immunoglobulins, or allergy-specific antibodies, it holds sway over seasonal allergies. Regrettably, its immunoglobins can spur the familiar symptoms of allergies, like watery eyes and sore throats.
Many Americans Live with Seasonal Allergies All Year
Would it shock you to learn that millions—yes, millions—of Americans deal with seasonal allergies throughout the year? Thirty-five million of them, to be precise!
Seasonal Allergies Can Vary by Location
Maybe home isn’t as sweet as it sounds. Certain locations can impact whether or not you will experience seasonal allergies. That can prove good or bad. After all, some people move and find their allergies have disappeared. Others, though, have unpacked seasonal allergies in their new houses.
We Experience Multiple Allergy Seasons
There are actually multiple allergy seasons. No fair! Tree pollen allergy season ranges from March through part of May. Next up, grass pollen allergy seasons rolls through the middle of May to a couple weeks into July. Finally, ragweed allergy seasons takes over where the others leave off, going from the middle of August to the arrival of the year’s inaugural frost.
Remember to Prepare
We just detailed the time frames for the various types of allergy seasons. So, you can plan ahead! Remember, you should begin taking your antihistamines a week or two prior to the season starting. Sublingual tablet users will need even more foresight and should take their medicine months in advance. You can also consult experienced professionals—like us—if you aren’t sure what to do.
Summary
Seasonal allergies affect people all over the world. Though we never want to welcome allergies into our lives, we can still find ways to minimize their impact. Hopefully, these things you may not know about seasonal allergies can take the worry out of your everyday life.
Need help managing your allergies? Southern Head and Neck Surgery can help. Send us a message here! Lastly, don’t forget to check back on our blog over the seasons for more tips and interesting facts!
