An allergic reaction doesn’t only occur after consuming specific substances but it can also be caused at certain times of the year. Seasonal allergies are airborne and happen in response to pollen from trees, weeds, and grasses. But when does allergy season end?
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention stated that about a quarter of adults (25.7%) have seasonal allergies. The body’s immune system mistakenly identifies pollen as harmful allergens and releases a chemical known as histamine to fight off the pollen. The released chemical causes allergic reactions such as sneezing, running nose, coughing, and watery eyes.
In this blog, we are going to explore the types of seasonal allergies and when does allergy season end.
In this article
All about Allergy seasons (and when does allergy season end)
People with seasonal allergies might find it difficult to manage them during the peak of allergy seasons. Some allergies are more active during a certain period than others, for instance, spring allergies can last for four months from February to May.
The seasonal allergies are typically caused by tree pollen, grass pollen, weed pollen, and mold spores. All these allergens can peak in different seasons.
Winter Allergies:
Winter allergies are majorly caused by indoor dust allergens and these allergies are more prevalent in the winter season, especially January. The common causes for winter allergies are dust mites and if you are affected by dust allergies then winters are no different than spring or summer. To reduce the exposure to allergens try to use dust-mite-proof beddings. The answer to when does allergy season end is February.
January and December are peak months for people with winter allergies, dust and mold allergies affect most of the people in this period of year.
Spring Allergies:
The spring allergies are prevalent from February to May. The tree pollen can be seen in early February, by March the tree pollen is on the list of top allergies. March can be a little rough for people with spring allergies if tree and grass pollen start coming out early. April is the most vulnerable time for people with spring allergies as blossoming flowers also carry pollen.
This time of year grass pollen also emerges, so it can be pretty exhausting for individuals to slog for four months till May when the spring allergies come to a halt. However, grass pollen comes forth in June as it is a prime season for grass pollen. Spring allergies are not all bad for people affected by it but it primarily depends on factors such as temperature, rainfall, and the time of day, so you just need to adjust yourself according to it.
Summer Allergies:
By July, your spring allergies subside but another allergy that includes molds and spores starts showing its effects.
August is the peak time for people with allergies from molds and spores due to hot and humid weather. Mold spores can grow in soil and damp areas which can cause triggers to people with summer allergies. The answer to when does allergy season end is September.
Fall Allergies:
The early fall allergies start in September and end in November. Ragweed is the most common factor for fall allergies, the dispersion of pollen from ragweed depends on how windy your autumn is in your area. The more windy the more symptoms you will feel.
October can be better for areas that are not very warm but areas that are warm till October might get to see their symptoms linger for a longer period. This time of year also causes mold and spores.
November can be the best month for people with outdoor allergies as they start showing the symptoms from the end of march to mid September. This leaves them with the whole month of November to enjoy the outside weather before their winter allergies kick in.
Prevention and Management
You can navigate allergy season without becoming overly fatigued by following some tips and strategies to prevent and manage your allergies. We have gathered some tips for you to ease out your allergy season:
- Minimize your exposure
- Monitor pollen forecast
- Change and wash clothes after being outside
- Use an air conditioner to filter out pollen
- Use HEPA filters in the home
- Use dust-mite-proof products
These are environmental precautions that you can take during the allergy season to make sure it passes smoothly. However, you can opt for medical treatment also by consuming drugs like Antihistamine or Decongestants to help you reduce allergy symptoms. Read our article How long does it take for allergy medication to work for detailed information about medication used in allergies.
When does allergy season end? Allergy season depends on various factors such as geographical location and an individual’s reaction to allergens, yet the major period of allergy season is from early March to the end of September. We also wanted to highlight what drugs you should avoid during sulfa allergy. The precautions and tips stated above will also help you during allergy season, however, it is advisable to consult your allergist before taking any medication for your allergies.
