Air Quality, the Seasons, and Allergy Symptoms

Allergies are defined as abnormal sensitivities to any substances that most people’s bodies consider to be harmless and can tolerate normally. What this means is that some people may experience an adverse reaction to a substance that most people tolerate with no problem. A person can be allergic to any type of substance, from food to pollen to bug bites to medications.

The key component in nearly any allergy is the presence of an antibody known as IgE. This IgE antibody may interact with certain allergens, thereby triggering a chemical reaction that causes the emergence of symptoms like runny noses or sneezing. What’s most interesting about allergies, perhaps, is that the reason why different substances will induce the production of IgE in some people’s bodies and not others remains very much a mystery. What science does know, however, is that one significant factor in developing allergies is one’s genetic predisposition.

Some allergies—like conjunctivitis, asthma, and rhinitis—are essentially seasonal, however sufferers of such allergies may experience the related symptoms throughout the entire year. This depends in part on the allergen in question and in part of the individual’s body. Examples of seasonal allergens are ragweed, trees, and types of grass, while examples of year-round allergens include animal dander, dust, and mold. One quite effective tool, incidentally, in minimizing the intensity (and in some cases eliminating the occurrence) of an allergic reaction is an air cleaner, such as a HEPA air purifier.

Allergies in the U.S. are most prevalent during the 5 pollen-producing seasons when those plants pollinated via the wind and not by insects are in effect. Those 5 pollen heavy seasons are:

February through March
March through June
July through August
August through October
November through January

Not all allergy sufferers will be at risk of experiencing symptoms throughout all of these 5 seasons—though some people with more severe allergies to multiple substances just might be. All the more reason for having a HEPA filter to help alleviate such prevalent discomfort. But even those people who may only experience allergy symptoms during one or a few of these seasons could benefit from an air purifier.

In a state like Florida, for example, where allergies are common year-round, an early spring allergy is likely due to tree pollen in the air while a late spring, early summer allergy is more likely due to a profusion of grass pollen as well, and an autumnal allergy is most likely the result of ragweed and other weed pollens typically in the air in high concentrations at that time of year.

Temperature has a notable effect on the concentration of pollens in the air. Warm air tends to encourage pollen production while cooler temperatures tend to promote reduced pollination. Other weather conditions too affect pollen count, including wind and humidity, which elevates pollen count in the atmosphere, and rain, which washes much of it away.

To reduce the effects of pollen on your allergies, there are several steps you can take. One is to avoid intense outdoor activity during those seasons in which you are most prone to experiencing allergies, particularly in the early mornings and the late afternoons when those pollen counts are typically highest. Dust masks are also a possible help when you must be outdoors during those times.

As for indoor protection, a HEPA air purifier can be of tremendous help in improving indoor air quality and preventing allergy symptoms.

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