It’s the time of year that those prone to allergies dread. While you can’t completely avoid seasonal allergens, you can reduce your signs and symptoms and minimize your exposure by understanding allergens and following some simple guidelines.

Nearly 20 percent of Americans suffer from allergies, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). An allergy is a reaction of your immune system to external elements that are harmless to most other people. These elements are called allergens. Your body’s overreaction to the allergens is what causes symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose and nasal congestion. Allergies can also lead to decreased motivation and energy levels, trouble sleeping and problems with concentrating at work or school. So what are the most common causes of allergies and how can we learn to cope with them?

Most Common Types of Allergies

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), at www.aafa.org, allergies may be classified into various types based on the category of substance the allergen belongs to. Below are brief descriptions of some of the most common types of allergies:

Food Allergy: This is one of the more common types of allergies. Consumption of foods such as eggs, milk, peanuts, etc., can trigger allergic symptoms. The symptom may range from skin rashes to breathing problems.

Pet Allergy: Some people, particularly children, are allergic to pets. They develop symptoms like a runny nose, sore throat, and watery eyes, on contact with the pet’s skin.

Allergic Rhinitis: Also known as hay fever, allergic rhinitis is an allergy towards outdoor, air-borne seasonal materials like pollen. Symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, itching, and bloodshot eyes.

Mold Allergy: Another of the more common types of allergies, mold allergy is an intolerance towards mold, dust mites, fungi, etc. Contact with any of these substances leads to allergic symptoms like sneezing, asthma, and throat infections.

Insect Allergy: Some people are allergic to certain types of insect bites. They develop hives, blisters, itchy sores, swelling and pain upon insect bites.

Most Common Allergens

According to The Mayo Clinic, at www.mayoclinic.com, the most common allergens include:

Pollen from Trees, Grass and Weeds: Allergies that occur in the spring (late April and May) are often due to tree pollen. Allergies that occur in the summer (late May to mid-July) are often due to grass and weed pollen. Allergies that occur in the fall (late August to the first frost) are often due to ragweed.

Mold: Mold is common where water collects, such as shower curtains, window moldings and damp basements. It can also be found in places such as hay, mulches, compost piles and leaf litter. This allergy is often worse during humid and rainy weather.

Animal Dander: Proteins found in the skin, saliva, and urine of furry pets such as cats and dogs are allergens. You can be exposed to dander when handling an animal or from dust that contains the dander.

Dust: Many allergens, including dust mites, are in dust. Dust mites can be found in bedding, mattresses, carpeting and upholstered furniture, as well as in dead skin cells.

How to Avoid Allergens

• Close doors and windows when pollen counts are high.
• Don’t hang laundry outside, as pollen can stick to sheets and towels.
• Use air conditioning in your house and car.
• Avoid outdoor activity in the early morning when pollen counts are highest.
• Stay indoors on dry, windy days. The best time to go outside is after a good rain, which helps clear pollen from the air.
• Use a dehumidifier to reduce indoor humidity.
• Use a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in your bedroom and keep windows closed at night.
• Try not to do lawn-mowing, weed-pulling and other gardening chores that can stir up pollen and molds. If you do outside chores, wear a dust mask.

Common Allergy Symptoms

• Runny nose
• Watery eyes
• Hives
• Sneezing
• Stuffy nose
• Ear fullness and popping
• Dark circles under the eyes
• Pressure in the nose and cheeks
• Itchy nose, eyes and roof of mouth

Source: http://familydoctor.org

Relieving Symptoms

• Antihistamines help reduce the sneezing, runny nose and itchiness of allergies. They tend to be more useful before exposure to allergens.
• Decongestants should be used for a short time only to temporarily relieve the stuffy nose of allergies. They can raise your blood pressure, so talk to your family doctor before using them, especially if you have high blood pressure.
• Nose sprays and drops shouldn’t be used for more than three days because you can become dependent on them. Nasal steroid sprays reduce the reaction of the nasal tissues to inhaled allergens, but you will not notice the benefits for up to two weeks after starting them.
• Eye drops may help if itchy eyes are among your symptoms.
• If your symptoms are overly bothersome, your doctor may prescribe allergy shots, which are only used when the allergens you’re sensitive to can be identified and when you cannot avoid them. Treatment may last from a few months to years, and you may need to have treatments throughout your life.

Sources: The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), http://www.aafa.org; The Mayo Clinic, http://www.mayoclinic.com