Recognizing the signs of seasonal allergies and how to treat them.

Do you often tear up on windy days? Do you always feel suffocated and uncomfortable when it rains? This could indicate you have a weather allergy.

Seasonal allergies are not simply an allergic reaction to changes in external temperature. They are a link between the symptoms your body experiences and antigens that develop depending on the weather, and these antigens can trigger allergic reactions.

The most easily recognizable sign of a weather allergy is a skin rash with many red bumps and itching when you are exposed to sudden changes in temperature. Exposed areas of skin such as the nose, cheeks, ears, fingers, and toes are the first to be affected. A dangerous case of weather allergy is acute urticaria: the patient experiences generalized swelling, especially around the eyes, lips, and throat, and may have acute shortness of breath, low blood pressure, and cardiovascular collapse, requiring emergency medical attention.

Several common weather-related causes can trigger allergies:

- Dry, windy days: Wind blowing pollen into the air can cause allergic rhinitis, watery eyes, and hay fever (hay fever is an allergic reaction to outdoor or indoor allergens such as pollen, grasses, mold spores, dust mites, or pet dander). If you are allergic to pollen, you should close windows and stay indoors on windy days.

• Rainy or humid days: Humidity can promote mold growth, both indoors and outdoors. Dust mites also thrive in humid air. However, if you are allergic to pollen, rainy or humid days can be beneficial. Humidity makes pollen heavier and keeps it grounded.

• Cold air: Many people with allergic asthma find cold air a problem, especially when exercising outdoors, as it can trigger an asthma attack.

• Hot and humid weather: Air pollution is worst during hot summer days. Ozone and smog can be serious triggers for people with allergic asthma.

The changing seasons also have a significant impact on allergy symptoms.

• Spring: In the cool air, herbs begin to produce pollen in February or March. Pollen is a fairly common cause of spring allergies.

• Summer: In early summer, pollen from plants can trigger allergic reactions. By late summer, yellow daisies and other weeds can become allergens. Mold can grow and cause allergies, peaking in July in warmer areas.

• Autumn: In colder climates, mold tends to cause the most allergies in October.

• Winter: Indoor allergens like pet dander and dust can become a serious allergy problem in winter because you spend more time indoors when it's cold.

When the weather is cold and the outside temperature drops low (< 0°C), people who are exposed to the cold may develop chilblain – a condition where tissues become numb and frozen. This is a cold-related illness, not a weather-related allergy. When exposed to extremely low temperatures for an extended period, the body sends signals to the blood vessels in the extremities (nose, ears, fingers). The hands and toes create vasoconstriction, reducing blood flow to the skin to increase blood flow to protect vital internal organs. Initially, the affected skin is pale white, very cold to the touch, and very painful; over time, it may turn yellowish-wax and later bluish-purple-black due to tissue necrosis from lack of oxygen. There is a risk of frostbite due to cold environments: homeless people, drunk people, elderly people without adequate heating, people who are exhausted, and those whose bodies have lost a lot of weight.

How to manage seasonal allergies

Seasonal allergies are more common during transitional seasons or when there are sudden changes in ambient temperature. While there's no way to completely avoid this natural phenomenon, we can learn to live and work under its influence and proactively reduce allergy symptoms, which vary from person to person.

- Pay attention to weather changes. Avoid sudden or frequent temperature changes. In winter, proactively keep your body warm, especially the extremities (face, ears, hands, feet), and avoid contact with cold air and cold water as much as possible. Avoid going outside during unpredictable rainy or windy weather. In summer, you should only adjust the air conditioner temperature in your room to a moderate difference from the outside temperature.

Check for pollen and mold in your work environment. Limit your time working outdoors if you are prone to allergies.

- Prepare for allergies. If you frequently experience allergies at the same time of year, for example, with daisies in the fall or pollen in the spring, consider taking preventative measures by consulting your doctor about taking antihistamines 1-2 weeks before you typically start sneezing, coughing, or itching. This can help prevent and manage allergy symptoms before they occur.

- Control your living environment. We can't change the outside environment, but we can control the conditions inside our homes. Use air conditioning to filter mold and pollen. Avoid contact with dogs and cats, dust, cigarette smoke, etc.

Use a dehumidifier to prevent the growth of dust and mold. Shoes can accumulate pollen, grass, mold, dust, and other allergens from being outdoors. Remember to check and clean your shoes before bringing them inside.

- Ultimately, it's crucial to get an accurate diagnosis of your allergy. Don't just guess what's causing your allergies. See a doctor for a proper diagnosis of the factors triggering your symptoms. Once diagnosed, you can be guided on preventative immunotherapy options to help manage your allergies, whether due to weather changes or seasonal variations.

According to TNO