Seasonal Allergies

Although this site is designed to provide information on Ragweed Allergy we also recognise that there are a variety of other seasonal allergies that cause a great deal of pain and irritation to people every year. A seasonal allergy is something that will come for a specific period of the year every year and then go away again until the same time the following year, just like a season does.

This page is designed to provide some information on the most common season allergies and which species of the pollen generating plant they are to avoid as well as at which time of year these seasonal allergies are likely to occur.

It is true that many seasonal allergies are pollen related and treatments for pollen allergies do not differ much and neither do the symtoms, they all come under the one giant 'Hayfever' umbrella. However it is vital to recognise exactly which type of pollen it is that is causing you problems so that you can at least try and eradicate the problem around you as best as possible, for example remove certain trees or plants that you may come into contact with each year yet you were unaware that they are actually contributing to your seasonal allergy symptoms.

Types of seasonal allergies

Grass Pollen Allergy

Alongside Ragweed, Grass pollen is beleived to be the most common cause of hayfever. There are many types of grass beside regular lawn grass and it is some of the lesser known grasses that release the pollen that people are allergic to. Grasses responsible for Grass Pollen Allergy are most commonly:

• Timothy Grass
• Bermuda Grass
• Sweet Vernal Grass
• Orchard Grass
• Kentucky Bluegrass
• Johnson Grass

Grass Pollen Allergy is a seasonal allergy that usually begins in the spring months and will run as far through as early autumn.

The symptoms of Grass Pollen Allergy are the same as those for Ragweed Allergy/Hayfever.

3 steps to combat Grass Pollen Allergy

1. Avoid cut grass, if the garden lawn needs cutting have somebody else do it. If you have to do it then make sure you wear a pollen mask.
2. Invest in airconditioners for your home as opposed to keeping windows and doors open when it is hot, you are only inviting the grass pollen in.
3. Ensure that your gardens are free of any pollen producing grasses and weeds in the off season

Tree Pollen Allergy

Another common seasonal allergy is Tree Pollen Allergy. There are a huge amount of tree species throughout the world and less than 1% of them as a whole produce allergenic pollen. However don't let this statistic fool you. Tree Pollen Allergy is very common and with trees being large and blown so easily by the wind the pollen of those that produce it is spread ever so easily. They don't even have to be in your back garden or even your neighbourhood to be a nuisance to you. Trees responsible for Tree Pollen Allergy are:

• Elm
• Birch
• Catalpa
• Hickory
• Sycamore
• Walnut
• Olive
• Pecan
• Hazel
• Alder

Tree Pollen Allergy is a seasonal allergy that can start as early as January in some areas and run far into the autumn months.

The symptoms of Tree Pollen Allergy are the same as those for Ragweed Allergy/Hayfever.

3 Steps to combat Tree Pollen Allergy

1. Spend as much time indoors as possible on days where pollen counts are high. Pollen counts are available on-line and will be displayed daily on national and daily news bulletins.
2. If you are forced to go out then wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the air as it is carrying Tree Pollen.
3. If you have any washing, invest in a tumble dryer as opposed to leaving it hanging outside to dry where it can and will collect airborne Tree Pollen.

Seasonal Allergy Treatment

Treatment for seasonal allergies whether it is Ragweed Allergy or any other pollen producing plant does not differ. Please see our Pollen Allergy Treatment page for more information.