Seasonal Allergies in Ireland: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

If you keep a running calendar, you may quickly notice that around the same period each year, there is an uptick of people complaining of runny noses, excessive sneezing, and itchy eyes. These seasonal allergies are generally due to a negative response to an outdoor allergen, such as pollen. To help ensure that you stay safe through this period, you must understand the causes, treatments, and symptoms of seasonal allergies.

What are Seasonal Allergies?

A seasonal allergy generally occurs when our immune system reacts negatively to any allergen that may be coasting through the air at the time. In most cases, this allergen will creep into our noses or mouths, leading to several adverse symptoms. Traditionally, there was always an increase in seasonal allergies during the cutting season, which is why this condition quickly developed the popular nickname, hay fever.

Are There Seasonal Allergies in Ireland?

Unfortunately, seasonal allergies are quite common in Ireland, with up to 26% of the population struggling with the condition every year.

When is Allergy Season in Ireland?

In most cases, you can expect allergy season to kickstart in late spring or early summer and continue until the first autumn leaves fall. During this time of the year, the pollen count in Ireland is at its highest and spreads very quickly.

The rise in hay fever during this season often leads to various people in the country taking sick days as they battle against the symptoms. Meanwhile, seasonal allergies can also critically impact schooling life, with research showing that children often perform worse during hay fever season.

What Causes Seasonal Allergies?

Pollen is the core trigger that kickstarts seasonal allergies. This allergen is tremendously lightweight, and wind and other insects can quickly spread it around the country. As the pollen circulates the air, it often digs its way into our noses and mouths, leading to many negative symptoms.

However, pollen is not the only cause of seasonal allergies. Dust mites, cockroach droppings, pet dander, and spores from mold can all act as the base of your seasonal allergy symptoms.

What are the Types of Seasonal Allergies?

Tree Pollen Allergies

Tree pollen is one of the most common sources of seasonal allergies. As the trees begin to bloom, a significant amount of pollen is sent into the air, leading to the rise of allergic reactions.

Grass Pollen Allergies

The pollen from grass is a popular type of seasonal allergy. This pollen easily gets stuck on our clothes and skin when we walk on grass or mow our lawn. Once this pollen gets into our respiratory system, it can trigger a wide range of allergic reactions.

What are the Symptoms of Seasonal Allergies?

Here are some of the most popular symptoms of seasonal allergies:

A Runny or Stuffed Nose

A stuffed nose is one of the most common seasonal allergy symptoms. This issue is generally a result of inflammation due to the amount of pollen you may have inhaled. If you are currently dealing with a stuffed nose, don’t hesitate to seek out medication or try out some home remedies.

Sneezing

Sneezing is one of the quickest ways for our bodies to expel any irritants crawling around our nose or throat. If you are sneezing excessively, it is likely because a significant amount of pollen has found its way into your respiratory system. This symptom is a sign that your body is trying to rid itself of the dust or pollen in your nose or throat.

Watery Eyes

It is common for your eyes to become watery or itchy after coming in contact with an allergen. This wetness is generally due to our immune system attempting to battle the pollen or dust by releasing chemicals into our eyes. If your eyes always get wet in the same season each year, it may be a sign of seasonal allergies, and you should visit your doctor as soon as possible.

How Do You Diagnose a Seasonal Allergy?

Fortunately, it is tremendously easy to diagnose a seasonal allergy. Once you notice that you always fall ill around the same time each year and have symptoms, such as excessive sneezing, a runny nose, and watery eyes, there is a high chance that you are struggling with seasonal allergies.

How to Cure Seasonal Allergies?

There are two core ways that you can treat your seasonal allergies:

Get Some Medication

Over-the-counter medications such as Zyrtec should always act as your first line of defense after noticing your seasonal allergy symptoms. These medications are a quick solution for issues like runny noses, sneezing, and watery eyes.

If you are finding it challenging to deal with your seasonal allergies and would like to alleviate your pain, please don’t hesitate to drop by a pharmacy and explain your issues. Alternatively, if your seasonal allergy symptoms are severe, we recommend asking your doctor for prescription medication or an allergy shot.

Try Out Some Alternative Forms of Treatment

Although there is little medical backing behind alternative treatments, there is a strong belief that they can help provide relief. If you are struggling with your seasonal allergies and discover that fruits or vitamins aid in alleviating your pain, ask your doctor if these have any adverse effects and continue taking them if they give you the ok.

Preventing Seasonal Allergies

Prevention will always be better than cure. One of the best ways to fight seasonal allergies is to do as much as you can to avoid them in the first place. Here are three of the best hay fever prevention tips:

Shut Your Windows as Often as You Can

While we all love the wind and breeze, they carry pollen, dust, and other materials that can trigger your seasonal allergies. To ensure that you remain free from issues such as hay fever, we recommend shutting your windows as much as possible.

Take off Your Clothes and Shower After Coming Home

Once you step into your home, try to take off your clothes and put them in the laundry. This precaution will help ensure that you do not transfer any pollen stuck on your clothes to other areas of your house. We also recommend taking a quick shower after heading indoors, as running water will help wash the pollen off.

Buy a Pollen Filter

Today, it is easy to get a pollen filter for all the vents of your car. This filter will help trap any pollen trying to get into your vehicle as you zoom past buildings.