What are seasonal allergies?
An allergy is when your body's immune system reacts to something harmless, such as food, plants, or medicine. Seasonal allergies are allergies that happen only during the time of year when a certain substance you're allergic to (allergen) is in the air. Seasonal allergies are sometimes called “hay fever.” Grass, pollen, or mold are common allergens that cause seasonal allergies.
Seasonal allergies can happen in the spring, summer, or fall, depending on what you're allergic to.
What causes seasonal allergies?
What are the symptoms of seasonal allergies?
How can my doctor tell if I have seasonal allergies?
How do doctors treat symptoms from seasonal allergies?
Your doctor will have you treat your allergies with:
If these medicines don't help and your symptoms are severe, your doctor may recommend you get:
In desensitization, the doctor gives you shots of the substance you're allergic to. At first the shots have only a very, very tiny amount of the substance. The amount is too small to cause a severe reaction. Then the doctor gives you shots that have more and more of the substance. That way, your body can become used to the substance and not have an allergic reaction. Allergy shots don't always work. And when they do work, you may have to keep getting the shots.
