That’s a question that everyone wonders about when their allergies kick into high gear.

 

For anyone who needs to deal with allergies, knowing exactly when the allergy season starts is crucial. However, it can be very challenging to easily find accurate information online.

If you want to learn more, make sure to keep reading! This article has everything you need to know in order to make life easier for those with allergies.

 

 

When does it start?

Different plants will start producing pollen during different months of the year. That is why it feels like there are “seasons” for when your allergy symptoms start acting up. Below we have listed the different times of the year when certain plants may cause you to have a reaction.

 

• Tree pollen – March and April
• Grass pollen – May
• Weed pollen – June and July
• Ragweed pollen – July, August into the end of the year

 

The warmer months tend to be worse for allergies because that is the time of year when plants are reproducing and thus making the most pollen. However, if it feels as if the allergy season is getting longer each year, that is because it is getting longer.

 

Climate change has produced an extension of annual warmer weather worldwide. That means that plants are producing pollen for longer periods, extending the allergy season. Therefore, if you have allergies, that means you will have to deal with them longer.  However, knowing when the pollen of different plants starts releasing can help you manage your allergies.

 

In other words, you want to know when the seasons start before the allergies begin wearing you down. For most people, that can be difficult to pinpoint.

 

 

When to start treating your allergies

It is beneficial to start allergy therapy long before the first pollens begin to release. You can use the above list to determine when that may begin. For example, if you wanted to avoid allergies when the weeds started producing pollen, you should start preparing before the end of June at the very latest.

 

If you forget to do that, you can simply start allergy therapy when you notice you are starting to have a reaction. The earlier you work on preventing your immune system from being disrupted, the better.

What if my current allergy treatment is not Working?

If you are treating your symptoms with over-the-counter (OTC) medications and your symptoms are not going away, you may need to change some of your habits. You are likely bringing pollen into your home without realizing it.

 

We recommend that you make a habit of washing your hands and face after coming home. Plus, it helps if you keep the windows closed during the height of allergy season. Some people choose to get allergy shots, but many allergy specialists have noticed that they only provide about a 50% to 55% reduction in symptoms.  Many, if not most, patients receiving immunotherapy injections or drops, do not continue with their treatments.  Most of those patients simply do not find the relief they were looking for. Alternative therapies and natural methods may be more effective.

 

However, most people choose to take over-the-counter allergy pills each day. Consistent use of medicine is not for everyone as you may build up a resistance to one drug forcing you to keep switching to another one which also may stop working for you over time.  You may want to consider seeing a holistic allergist if you don’t want to take allergy shots or OTC pills every day or if they are not working for you.

 

 

Based on Where You Live

Allergy season is going to be a bit different depending on where you live. In most of the United States, spring allergies are going to start as early as February and last until the end of summer or the first frost.  If you were to start holistic allergy therapy during that time, you should notice a reduction in symptoms.

 

Trees start pollinating the earliest, followed by grass, then weeds, and then ragweed. Ragweed is the biggest cause of allergies during the summer. They release from August to November and sometimes even into December.

 

While the timing and severity of the allergy season is going to vary depending on your area, you want to be familiar some basic causes of allergies:

 

• Pollen producing plants are more active during cool nights followed by warm, sunny days
• Molds spread and grow quickly in humid and rainy weather
• Pollen levels are higher in the morning
• Rain may temporarily relieve allergy symptoms, but pollen levels spike after the rain stops
• Allergens are in every climate and that is why people can develop different allergies when they visit or move to a different area

 

 

What Month is the Worst for Allergies?

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) states that ragweed is the worst cause of allergies in the United States. In fact, a majority of people are allergic to it. This plant is normally found next to rivers and other bodies of water, however, resistant strains can be found on farms and along roads, as well as around your house.

 

Ragweed typically pollinates in the last part of July and the start of August, making those the worst months for people with ragweed allergies. So, do yourself a favor this summer and make sure you start a regimen of holistic allergy therapy. The winter was mild in most areas, causing perfect conditions for ragweed to grow.

 

 

Other Seasonal Allergy Triggers

Aside from plants, there are some other seasonal allergy triggers that you will want to be aware of. Smoke from campfires can cause allergic reactions in the summer. Plus, insect bites, pine trees, and chlorine from pools can also cause allergy symptoms.

 

If you notice you are having reactions in the winter, mold and trees (especially Christmas trees) are likely to be the cause. Pine needles and sap from trees irritate many people. If this happens to you every year, you may want to stop buying a real Christmas tree and get an artificial one instead.

 

If you know what to avoid, you can help yourself feel better during the peak of allergy season. There are plenty of hidden causes.  Why suffer with or interrupt your life when allergy season hits.  There is a better way to resolve your allergy symptoms without having to give up on the fun Spring, Summer and Fall activities provide—and without getting shots or taking medications.

 

 

What is a holistic allergist?

We have mentioned holistic allergists and holistic allergy treatments throughout this article.  Our holistic treatment preference is Advanced Allergy Therapeutics (AAT).  This technique offers a non-invasive, unique, and highly effective approach to treating the many causes of symptoms and health conditions associated with allergies and sensitivities.  AAT is a precision-based therapy that produces rapid and long-term results.  It is painless.  There are no shots, no pills, and no avoidance.  It is safe, effective, and gentle enough for infants and seniors.

 

 

Conclusion

According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, allergies cost Americans over $18 billion annually.  If all those medications, shots, and nasal sprays worked so well, why are we continually spending a fortune every year treating our allergies?

 

If you are tired of feeling sick and the conventional OTC medicines or other methods have not worked for you, and you want to live your life allergy symptom-free, seek out a local holistic allergist.

 

 

Ian Wahl is the Clinic Director of St. Louis Allergy Relief Center in Chesterfield, MO.  If you are suffering from allergies, and have been unsuccessful with allergy treatments or are looking for something different, St. Louis Allergy Relief Center tests and treats allergies holistically without pain, pills, or shots. The clinic specializes in holistic allergy treatments using Advanced Allergy Therapeutics (AAT).  They provide you with a detailed treatment plan after completing comprehensive testing and assessment to determine seasonal, environmental, food, and chemical stressors that may be triggering allergies or allergy-like symptoms. 

Visit https://stlouisallergyrelief.com to learn more or call Beverly at 314-384-9304 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

 

 

Sources:

https://acaai.org/news/facts-statistics/allergies

https://www.aafa.org/allergy-facts