Spring Allergies: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Prevention Tips

There's a good chance you or a family member could experience sneezing more in the spring and fall, thanks to Mother Nature's allergy seasons. About 81 million people were diagnosed with hay fever, according to 2021 data.¹

Some people experience severe allergy symptoms throughout the spring and their allergies can make them feel miserable. Below, we explain what causes spring allergies, symptoms, treatments, and allergy prevention tips so you can spend less time sneezing and wiping watery eyes, and more time enjoying the season.

What Are Allergies?

Allergies are the body's response to a (normally harmless) substance that it sees as an “invader."² These "invaders" are usually in the form of pollen, animal dander, molds, dust mites, specific foods, or insect stings.³ An allergen is a substance that elicits a reaction from your body's defense system — your immune system. Your body produces allergic antibodies to find allergens in the body and get them out of your system — stat! A chemical in the body called histamine is released during that process and that's what causes the nasty spring allergy symptoms you experience.³

What Causes Spring Allergies?

The most likely trigger of spring allergies is tree pollination, which can start as early as January or February, depending on where you live.⁴ Then, you'll face grass pollen later in the spring and summer months. Hay fever — also called "seasonal allergic rhinitis" — is the body's allergic response to any pollen.

Spring Allergy Symptoms

There are several spring allergy symptoms you might experience. Some people experience just one; others deal with a few of these symptoms and some are battered with each of these spring allergy symptoms all season long. Symptoms include:

• Runny nose or congestion
• Sneezing
• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath
• A dry, persistent cough
• Dry, scratchy throat, with possible mild throat pain
• Headaches from sinus pain or migraines
• Itchy, watery eyes³

Home Remedy for Spring Allergies

If you are trying to address your spring allergies without medical treatment, saline nasal irrigation may be a solution. Use a saline solution in a Neti pot or squeeze bottle to flush allergens and mucus out of nasal passages.⁵ The price of a Neti pot is usually about $15 or more.⁶

Medical Treatments for Spring Allergies

The only good thing about spring allergies is that companies continue to try to find treatments to relieve symptoms. There are lots of over-the-counter (OTC) allergy treatment options available. If symptoms are severe, your physician might suggest an allergy shot or prescription allergy medication.

Nasal corticosteroids

Nasal corticosteroids come in the form of nasal sprays. They can reduce the swelling that leads to a stuffy, itchy, and runny nose. They are the most effective treatments for nasal allergies.⁷

Nasal corticosteroids cost: $18 and up for 60 sprays of 24-hour relief.⁸

Antihistamines

Antihistamines are OTC medications that block histamine, a trigger of allergic swelling. They can soothe sneezing, itching, runny nose, and hives.

Antihistamine cost: Starting at $5 and up for a 5-pack.⁹

Decongestants

These OTC medications can reduce the swelling of blood vessels in the nose, making breathing easier.¹⁰

Decongestant cost: Starting at $5 and up for an 18-pack of tablets.¹¹

Oral corticosteroids

Oral corticosteroids are prescription medications designed to reduce swelling and stop severe allergic reactions. A common steroid is prednisone.

Oral corticosteroid cost: $6 and up for 30 tablets.¹²

Allergen immunotherapy

A popular form of allergen immunotherapy is “allergy shots," a long-term treatment that decreases the body's sensitivity to allergens like pollen.¹³ The shots may be covered by insurance and may require a few injections at each appointment. Appointments can be about 1 to 2 times a week for 3 to 6 months, then you'll get 1 to 2 shots a month for 3 to 5 years.

Another option you can ask your doctor about is allergy drops or sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT).¹⁴ These can be administered at home, under the tongue, but they are not approved by the FDA. They would need to be taken daily for three to five years.

Cost: Allergy shots cost about $10 and up with insurance per visit and up to $1,000 a year without insurance.¹⁵

Allergy drops are not usually covered by insurance but could be more cost-

effective than shots.¹⁶

Tips to Relieve Symptoms from Spring Allergies

Follow these tips to help minimize symptoms.

• Try to limit time outdoors in the morning and on windy days when pollen counts are highest.
• Check your local news for information about pollen counts and pollen forecasts.
• Keep your doors and windows closed to prevent pollen from coming inside.
• Change your clothes after you've been outside and shower to remove pollen from your hair and skin.
• Wear a hat when you're outside to keep pollen from your hair.
• Dust and vacuum your home regularly.
• Replace air filters in your home regularly.
• Avoid hanging laundry outside.
• Keep your car windows closed.
• Wear a mask outside when pollen counts are high, especially if you're doing activities like mowing the lawn or walking your dog.
• Wear sunglasses when you're outside to avoid getting allergens in your eyes.
• Consider taking allergy medication before symptoms occur if you know the pollen count is going to be high.

If your spring allergy symptoms persist or worsen, schedule an appointment with your doctor. He or she may want to refer you to an allergist who may do a skin test to determine specific allergy triggers and provide a more customized treatment plan.

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Author Bio

Diana Levy Kelly is a freelance journalist, content marketing writer, and author with more than 15 years of experience covering health and wellness.