What are seasonal allergies?

Seasonal allergies are the ones that mostly happen outdoors and give you hay fever or symptoms like it. They affect you for a few weeks, then go. But you know they’ll be back the same time next year. You can mark it in your diary. Pollen is the main trigger and mold allergy can also be seasonal.

What are allergies?

What are seasonal allergies? They’re the ones to put in your diary as they can give you hay fever at the same time each year

What are seasonal allergies?

Seasonal allergies are the ones that mostly happen outdoors and give you hay fever or symptoms like it. They affect you for a few weeks, then go. But you know they’ll be back the same time next year. You can mark it in your diary. Pollen is the main trigger and mold allergy can also be seasonal.

Here we explore which seasonal allergies happen when and why, and how they might make you feel. Read about options for seasonal allergies treatment too.

Seasonal allergies: Something in the air

Seasonal allergens tend to be airborne. You breathe them in and get seasonal allergic rhinitis. That’s the official name for hay fever symptoms.

Plants release thousands of tiny pollen grains. These travel on the wind to fertilize other plants of the same species, sometimes hundreds of miles away. Mold spores can be even smaller than pollen and are just as easy to inhale without realizing.

What are seasonal allergies?

What are seasonal allergies? They’re the ones to put in your diary as they can give you hay fever at the same time each year

Symptoms of allergies: What the doc calls them

Most people have heard of hay fever and hives. And who doesn’t cough? So let’s start with the medical names for some common symptoms of allergies. It’ll help you decode the information that comes with any allergy medication.

  • Allergic rhinitis: A blocked or runny nose, plus sneezing. Seasonal allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, is linked to outdoor allergens such as pollen. Perennial allergic rhinitis means symptoms can be year-round. They happen indoors from allergens such as dust mites.

Here we explore which seasonal allergies happen when and why, and how they might make you feel. Read about options for seasonal allergies treatment too.

Read on to find out what could be influencing your personal allergy calendar. And what you can do about the triggers and symptoms of seasonal allergies. We’ll look at treatment options and medications too.

Seasonal allergies: Something in the air

Seasonal allergens tend to be airborne. You breathe them in and get seasonal allergic rhinitis. That’s the official name for hay fever symptoms.

Plants release thousands of tiny pollen grains. These travel on the wind to fertilize other plants of the same species, sometimes hundreds of miles away. Mold spores can be even smaller than pollen and are just as easy to inhale without realizing.

What’s going on inside when you get seasonal allergies?

Your overprotective immune system sees substances like pollen or mold as a threat even though they’re harmless. It prepares its defenses by producing IgE (immunoglobulin) antibodies. Now you’re sensitized, ready for the next time you meet your trigger.

Not everyone goes on to develop seasonal allergies. But many do. In which case the antibodies react by mobilizing different cells in your body to do different things to get rid of the allergen. Some release histamine which is what causes many of your symptoms.

What’s going on inside when you get seasonal allergies?

Your overprotective immune system sees substances like pollen or mold as a threat even though they’re harmless. It prepares its defenses by producing IgE (immunoglobulin) antibodies. Now you’re sensitized, ready for the next time you meet your trigger.

Not everyone goes on to develop seasonal allergies. But many do. In which case the antibodies react by mobilizing different cells in your body to do different things to get rid of the allergen. Some release histamine which is what causes many of your symptoms.

Each birch catkin or flower may release six million pollen grains to travel on the wind and cause hay fever symptoms

Birch is a major

cause of hay fever

When do seasonal allergies strike?

Which times of year different seasonal allergies peak depends on where you live. Spring can be full of joy, unless you’re allergic to tree pollen. Summer has the thrill of long vacations…and runny noses if grass pollen or an outdoor mold is your trigger. Fall is when weeds get busy. Mold spores also love the piles of fallen leaves.

The quietest time for seasonal allergic rhinitis is usually the winter. (Insect venom allergy has a seasonal bias too; stinging and biting insects are less active in chillier months.) The exception is if you live in a warmer climate where the temperature doesn’t change that much. In which case outdoor mold and grass pollen could be causing seasonal allergies almost all year round.

Each birch catkin or flower may release six million pollen grains to travel on the wind and cause hay fever symptoms

Birch is a major

cause of hay fever

Birch is a major

cause of hay fever

When do seasonal allergies strike?

Which times of year different seasonal allergies peak depends on where you live. Spring can be full of joy, unless you’re allergic to tree pollen. Summer has the thrill of long vacations… and runny noses if grass pollen or an outdoor mold is your trigger. Fall is when weeds get busy. Mold spores also love the piles of fallen leaves.

The quietest time for seasonal allergic rhinitis is usually the winter. (Insect venom allergy has a seasonal bias too; stinging and biting insects are less active in chillier months.) The exception is if you live in a warmer climate where the temperature doesn’t change that much. In which case outdoor mold and grass pollen could be causing seasonal allergies almost all year round.

Which times of year different seasonal allergies peak depends on where you live. Spring can be full of joy, unless you’re allergic to tree pollen. Summer has the thrill of long vacations…and runny noses if grass pollen or an outdoor mold is your trigger. Fall is when weeds get busy. Mold spores also love the piles of fallen leaves.

The quietest time for seasonal allergic rhinitis is usually the winter. (Insect venom allergy has a seasonal bias too; stinging and biting insects are less active in chillier months.) The exception is if you live in a warmer climate where the temperature doesn’t change that much. In which case outdoor mold and grass pollen could be causing seasonal allergies almost all year round.

It’s normal for everyone to get pain, redness and swelling around a sting site. Most people get an itchy lump from fire ants. Usually several insects attack at once, each one stinging again and again. The lump may calm down after about an hour. Over the next day a small liquid-filled blister is likely to form.

With insect allergy, local symptoms tend to be more intense. You can find a more detailed description below. More importantly, it can cause a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Symptoms typically involve more than one part of your body and may affect any of these:

  • Skin – flushed, pale, itching or hives
  • Head and neck – swelling of the tongue or throat
  • Heart and blood pressure – a weak or rapid pulse, low blood pressure (hypotension)
  • Gut – diarrhea, feeling or being sick
  • Airways – narrowing, which may cause wheezing and trouble breathing
  • Brain – dizziness or fainting

Anaphylaxis can happen suddenly, in minutes, or up to a few hours after you’re stung. Your body may go into shock and it can be life-threatening (more so for men than women it seems). The risk of having the same symptoms goes up once a systemic reaction has happened the first time. 

Which times of year different seasonal allergies peak depends on where you live. Spring can be full of joy, unless you’re allergic to tree pollen. Summer has the thrill of long vacations… and runny noses if grass pollen or an outdoor mold is your trigger.

Here are some common plants behind seasonal allergy symptoms:

Some triggers of seasonal allergies

Here are some common plants behind seasonal allergy symptoms:

  • Tree pollen: alder, ash, beech, birch, bog myrtle, cedar, cottonwood, elm, hazel, hedge plant, juniper, maple, mulberry, oak, pine

Fall is when weeds get busy. Mold spores also love the piles of fallen leaves.

The quietest time for seasonal allergic rhinitis is usually the winter. (Insect venom allergy has a seasonal bias too; stinging and biting insects are less active in chillier months.) The exception is if you live in a warmer climate where the temperature doesn’t change that much. In which case outdoor mold and grass pollen could be causing seasonal allergies almost all year round.

Some triggers of seasonal allergies

Some triggers of seasonal allergies

  • Tree pollen: alder, ash, beech, birch, bog myrtle, cedar, cottonwood, elm, hazel, hedge plant, juniper, maple, mulberry, oak, pine
  • Grass pollen: common meadow grass, meadow foxtail, sweet vernal grass, soft brome, false oat-grass, cocksfoot, canary grass, Timothy grass, Bermuda grass
  • Weed pollen: dock weed, nettle, plantain, ragweed, sagebrush, sheep sorrel
  • Mold spores: Alternaria alternata, Cladosporum herbarium

Pine is often blamed for Christmas tree allergy. But mold on the leaves is the likelier trigger of your festive sneezes. Give the tree a shake before you start draping tinsel and lights.

You’ll notice the list doesn’t include showy bouquet or garden flowers like roses. That’s because they don’t tend to cause allergies. Their pollen is too big and heavy to travel on the wind. The waxy grains are designed to stick to bees and other insects which carry it from plant to plant. The same goes for flowering fruit trees like apples, cherries and plums so you can enjoy the spring blossom.

Here are some common plants behind seasonal allergy symptoms:

  • Tree pollen: alder, ash, beech, birch, bog myrtle, cedar, cottonwood, elm, hazel, hedge plant, juniper, maple, mulberry, oak, pine
  • Grass pollen: common meadow grass, meadow foxtail, sweet vernal grass, soft brome, false oat-grass, cocksfoot, canary grass, Timothy grass, Bermuda grass
  • Weed pollen: dock weed, nettle, plantain, ragweed, sagebrush, sheep sorrel
  • Mold spores: Alternaria alternata, Cladosporum herbarium

Pine is often blamed for Christmas tree allergy. But mold on the leaves is the likelier trigger of your festive sneezes. Give the tree a shake before you start draping tinsel and lights.

You’ll notice the list doesn’t include showy bouquet or garden flowers like roses. That’s because they don’t tend to cause allergies. Their pollen is too big and heavy to travel on the wind. The waxy grains are designed to stick to bees and other insects which carry it from plant to plant. The same goes for flowering fruit trees like apples, cherries and plums so you can enjoy the spring blossom.

Here are some common plants behind seasonal allergy symptoms:

  • Tree pollen: alder, ash, beech, birch, bog myrtle, cedar, cottonwood, elm, hazel, hedge plant, juniper, maple, mulberry, oak, pine
  • Grass pollen: common meadow grass, meadow foxtail, sweet vernal grass, soft brome, false oat-grass, cocksfoot, canary grass, Timothy grass, Bermuda grass
  • Weed pollen: dock weed, nettle, plantain, ragweed, sagebrush, sheep sorrel
  • Mold spores: Alternaria alternata, Cladosporum herbarium

Pine is often blamed for Christmas tree allergy. But mold on the leaves is the likelier trigger of your festive sneezes. Give the tree a shake before you start draping tinsel and lights.

You’ll notice the list doesn’t include showy bouquet or garden flowers like roses. That’s because they don’t tend to cause allergies. Their pollen is too big and heavy to travel on the wind. The waxy grains are designed to stick to bees and other insects which carry it from plant to plant. The same goes for flowering fruit trees like apples, cherries and plums so you can enjoy the spring blossom.

  • Grass pollen: common meadow grass, meadow foxtail, sweet vernal grass, soft brome, false oat-grass, cocksfoot, canary grass, Timothy grass, Bermuda grass
  • Weed pollen: dock weed, nettle, plantain, ragweed, sagebrush, sheep sorrel
  • Mold spores: Alternaria alternata, Cladosporum herbarium

Pine is often blamed for Christmas tree allergy. But mold on the leaves is the likelier trigger of your festive sneezes. Give the tree a shake before you start draping tinsel and lights.

You’ll notice the list doesn’t include showy bouquet or garden flowers like roses. That’s because they don’t tend to cause allergies. Their pollen is too big and heavy to travel on the wind. The waxy grains are designed to stick to bees and other insects which carry it from plant to plant. The same goes for flowering fruit trees like apples, cherries and plums so you can enjoy the spring blossom.

Wearing a vintage gas mask is a bit extreme but avoiding pollen and hay fever symptoms can be a challenge in spring

Hay fever symptoms
aren’t much fun

What causes symptoms of allergies

Allergy symptoms are the outward sign that your body is trying to fight off a threat. Or at least, something it thinks is a threat. That could be pollen or peanut or another substance harmless to most people. Humans do face plenty of real threats like viruses, bacteria, parasites and so on.

It’s why your body has inbuilt protection. Your immune system is always on guard. It makes specific immunoglobulin (IgE) antibodies each time you meet a threat. These antibodies send histamine and white blood cells to flush out any intruder. Your immune system reacts the same way when you come into contact with an allergen. That’s an allergic reaction.

Climate change may be affecting seasonal allergies. Pollen season starts earlier for some plants and lasts longer. High carbon dioxide levels seem to make pollen and mold spores more prolific.

Seasonal allergies: Weather and climate

Climate change may already be affecting your seasonal allergies. Scientists have found that pollen season is starting earlier for some plants and going on longer. High carbon dioxide levels also seem to make pollen and mold spores more prolific and allergenic. That’s why our app has info on air quality as well as pollen levels. (You can also find local pollen forecasts on our website).

There’s weather information in our app too. Cool, damp, rainy days usually mean less pollen in the air. But lots of dry warm breezy days can push up the pollen and mold counts. And that may aggravate your seasonal allergies.

 

Climate change may be affecting seasonal allergies. Pollen season starts earlier for some plants and lasts longer. High carbon dioxide levels seem to make pollen and mold spores more prolific.

Seasonal allergies: Weather and climate

Climate change may already be affecting your seasonal allergies. Scientists have found that pollen season is starting earlier for some plants and going on longer. High carbon dioxide levels also seem to make pollen and mold spores more prolific and allergenic. That’s why our app has info on air quality as well as pollen levels. (You can also find local pollen forecasts on our website).

There’s weather information in our app too. Cool, damp, rainy days usually mean less pollen in the air. But lots of dry warm breezy days can push up the pollen and mold counts. And that may aggravate your seasonal allergies.

 

Common seasonal allergy symptoms

Seasonal allergies can cause the lining of your nose to become inflamed and produce mucus. It’s one of the ways your body tries to flush out the pollen or mold. You might recognize these common signs and symptoms of a seasonal allergic reaction:

  • Stuffy nose (nasal congestion)
  • Runny nose, usually with clear fluid
  • Sneezing
  • Itchy nose
  • Itchy, red or watery eyes
  • Post-nasal drip (the feeling of mucus moving down the back of your throat)
  • Cough
  • Tight chest or wheezing
  • Sinus inflammation/pain

Even mild symptoms can make you look at spring, summer or fall with different (tired) eyes. You may not sleep very well, maybe because you snore. That often happens with a stuffy nose. Research has found that school kids who snore a lot may do less well in math and spelling. At work, too, concentrating could be a struggle. You might have to take time off if your seasonal allergies are acting up. They may even affect your mental and emotional health.

Allergist talking to a young boy about allergy testing for kids and asking about his symptoms

Allergy testing for kids

Hay fever symptoms or virus?

You’ve got a stuffy or runny nose. How do you know it’s seasonal allergies and not some kind of virus? Well, the clearest difference is how long the symptoms last. Hay fever is the one that usually makes you feel rotten for weeks on end. Here are some other differences:

  • Colds build up slowly over a few days and often only last about a week. They cause rhinitis too. But blow your nose and the mucus is likely to be thick and greenish yellow, not thin and clear as with seasonal allergies. Symptoms often include a sore throat.
  • Flu starts abruptly like hay fever. But it’s usually over in one to two weeks. Common symptoms not associated with seasonal allergies include body aches and fever.
  • COVID-19 lasts from one to around three weeks, although symptoms can linger. The virus doesn’t tend to make you sneeze. But it could cause body aches and a loss of taste and smell. Assume you may have COVID-19 even if you only have mild symptoms. isolate at home and get a test. You can find up-to-date health information about COVID-19 here.

Epinephrine is the main medication used to treat anaphylaxis. It’s another name for the hormone adrenaline. Life-threatening allergic reactions can happen fast and need fast treatment.

Hay fever symptoms or virus?

You’ve got a stuffy or runny nose. How do you know it’s seasonal allergies and not some kind of virus? Well, the clearest difference is how long the symptoms last. Hay fever is the one that usually makes you feel rotten for weeks on end. Here are some other differences:

  • Colds build up slowly over a few days and often only last about a week. They cause rhinitis too. But blow your nose and the mucus is likely to be thick and greenish yellow, not thin and clear as with seasonal allergies. Symptoms often include a sore throat.
  • Flu starts abruptly like hay fever. But it’s usually over in one to two weeks. Common symptoms not associated with seasonal allergies include body aches and fever.
  • COVID-19 lasts from one to around three weeks, although symptoms can linger. The virus doesn’t tend to make you sneeze. But it could cause body aches and a loss of taste and smell. Assume you may have COVID-19 even if you only have mild symptoms. isolate at home and get a test. You can find up-to-date health information about COVID-19 here.

You’ve got a stuffy or runny nose. How do you know it’s seasonal allergies and not some kind of virus? Well, the clearest difference is how long the symptoms last. Hay fever is the one that usually makes you feel rotten for weeks on end. Here are some other differences:

Allergist talking to a young boy about allergy testing for kids and asking about his symptoms

Allergy testing for kids

Allergy testing for kids

  • Colds build up slowly over a few days and often only last about a week. They cause rhinitis too. But blow your nose and the mucus is likely to be thick and greenish yellow, not thin and clear as with seasonal allergies. Symptoms often include a sore throat.
  • Flu starts abruptly like hay fever. But it’s usually over in one to two weeks. Common symptoms not associated with seasonal allergies include body aches and fever.
  • COVID-19 lasts from one to around three weeks, although symptoms can linger. The virus doesn’t tend to make you sneeze. But it could cause body aches and a loss of taste and smell. Assume you may have COVID-19 even if you only have mild symptoms. isolate at home and get a test. You can find up-to-date health information about COVID-19 here.

Seasonal allergies can cause cross-reactions

Tracking your symptoms, including how long they go on for, will help you figure out what’s causing them. It’s one of the things your doctor will ask about too. It may be obvious. For instance, if you stop sneezing when the hazel leaves open fully, marking the end of pollination. Equally, it may be confusing if your hay fever drags on over more than one calendar season.

That could be a cross-reaction. Your immune system reacts to proteins in substances. Different types of pollen contain very similar proteins. That’s why, if you’re allergic to alder pollen, you may react to other trees such as birch, beech and oak. And why grass, ragweed and mugwort could also give you symptoms of seasonal allergies through summer into fall.

 Man blowing his nose, which is often affected by seasonal allergies. The symptoms are called allergic rhinitis.

What exactly is allergic rhinitis?

What exactly is allergic rhinitis?

Simple ways to avoid triggering seasonal allergies

You may know which seasonal allergies are causing your symptoms. In which case, here are some simple ways to avoid your trigger.

  • Understand your allergens. Find out their peak season and time of day. Levels in the air tend to be highest mid-morning and early evening though it can vary.
  • When you come back inside, leave coats and shoes near the door. Rub down your dog whenever it’s been outside too.
  • Have a shower and wash your hair before bed.
  • Dry your washing indoors as pollen can land on clothes and bedding left outside.
  • Protect your eyes and nose from pollen particles. Try using wraparound sunglasses. Or a nasal barrier cream.
  • Keep windows shut during your allergy season.
  • Avoid swimming if chlorine makes your allergy symptoms worse – it’s a known seasonal irritant.
  • Same goes for bonfires and wood-fired barbecues; the smoke can sensitize your airways.

Flushing allergens out of your nose with a saline nasal rinse can ease irritation If you do get a bit sneezy or congested.

You may know which seasonal allergies are causing your symptoms. In which case, here are some simple ways to avoid your trigger.

You may know which seasonal allergies are causing your symptoms. In which case, here are some simple ways to avoid your trigger.

  • Understand your allergens. Find out their peak season and time of day. Levels in the air tend to be highest mid-morning and early evening though it can vary.
  • When you come back inside, leave coats and shoes near the door. Rub down your dog whenever it’s been outside too.
  • Have a shower and wash your hair before bed.
  • Dry your washing indoors as pollen can land on clothes and bedding left outside.
  • Protect your eyes and nose from pollen particles. Try using wraparound sunglasses. Or a nasal barrier cream.
  • Keep windows shut during your allergy season.
  • Avoid swimming if chlorine makes your allergy symptoms worse – it’s a known seasonal irritant.
  • Same goes for bonfires and wood-fired barbecues; the smoke can sensitize your airways.

Flushing allergens out of your nose with a saline nasal rinse can ease irritation If you do get a bit sneezy or congested.

You may know which seasonal allergies are causing your symptoms. In which case, here are some simple ways to avoid your trigger.

  • Understand your allergens. Find out their peak season and time of day. Levels in the air tend to be highest mid-morning and early evening.
  • When you come back inside, leave coats and shoes near the door. Rub down your dog or cat whenever it’s been outside too.
  • Have a shower and wash your hair before bed.
  • Dry your laundry indoors as pollen can land on clothes and bedding left outside.
  • Protect your eyes and nose from pollen particles. Try using wraparound sunglasses. Or a nasal barrier cream.
 Man blowing his nose, which is often affected by seasonal allergies. The symptoms are called allergic rhinitis.

What exactly is allergic rhinitis?

What exactly is allergic rhinitis?

Simple ways to avoid triggering seasonal allergies

You may know which seasonal allergies are causing your symptoms. In which case, here are some simple ways to avoid your trigger.

  • Understand your allergens. Find out their peak season and time of day. Levels in the air tend to be highest mid-morning and early evening though it can vary.
  • When you come back inside, leave coats and shoes near the door. Rub down your dog whenever it’s been outside too.
  • Have a shower and wash your hair before bed.
  • Dry your washing indoors as pollen can land on clothes and bedding left outside.
  • Protect your eyes and nose from pollen particles. Try using wraparound sunglasses. Or a nasal barrier cream.
  • Keep windows shut during your allergy season.
  • Avoid swimming if chlorine makes your allergy symptoms worse – it’s a known seasonal irritant.
  • Same goes for bonfires and wood-fired barbecues; the smoke can sensitize your airways.

Flushing allergens out of your nose with a saline nasal rinse can ease irritation If you do get a bit sneezy or congested.

  • Keep windows shut during your allergy season.
  • Avoid pool parties if swimming makes your allergy symptoms worse – chlorine is an irritant with a seasonal bias.
  • Same goes for bonfires and wood-fired barbecues; the smoke can irritate your airways.

Flushing allergens out of your nose with a saline nasal rinse can ease irritation if you do get a bit sneezy or congested.

  • Understand your allergens. Find out their peak season and time of day. Levels in the air tend to be highest mid-morning and early evening though it can vary.
  • When you come back inside, leave coats and shoes near the door. Rub down your dog whenever it’s been outside too.
  • Have a shower and wash your hair before bed.
  • Dry your washing indoors as pollen can land on clothes and bedding left outside.
  • Protect your eyes and nose from pollen particles. Try using wraparound sunglasses. Or a nasal barrier cream.
  • Keep windows shut during your allergy season.
  • Avoid swimming if chlorine makes your allergy symptoms worse – it’s a known seasonal irritant.
  • Same goes for bonfires and wood-fired barbecues; the smoke can sensitize your airways.

Flushing allergens out of your nose with a saline nasal rinse can ease irritation If you do get a bit sneezy or congested.

Seasonal allergies: Getting a diagnosis

Maybe you don’t know for sure what’s gives you symptoms at certain times of year. If that’s the case, talk to your doctor. Allergies affecting your nose and eyes can develop into lower respiratory symptoms if left untreated.

Be ready to describe your symptoms and any family history of allergy. You’re 30% to 50% more likely to have allergic reactions if one of your parents is affected. Allergy testing often helps make the diagnosis.

Tests for seasonal allergies

This usually starts with a skin prick test, unless you have a skin condition which might affect the results. Then you might have a blood test instead. Both can check for multiple allergy triggers. Your allergist might add in dust mites or pet dander if your symptoms last longer than usual for seasonal allergies. These indoor allergens can cause allergic rhinitis all year round.

Many things making you sneeze?

In a skin prick test, the allergist or nurse puts a drop of liquid containing the allergen onto your skin. A raised red bump is a positive result. Skin prick tests can also help diagnose cross-reactions between seasonal allergies and food.

If you get hay fever, eating certain foods may trigger mild symptoms in your mouth, lips or throat. It's called oral allergy syndrome (OAS) or pollen food syndrome (PFS). Some proteins are particularly associated with cross-reactivity. Component blood tests can look for those antibodies.

Many things making you sneeze?

What’s the best way to treat seasonal allergies?

Avoiding tiny airborne allergens isn't always possible, as you can imagine. But your doctor or pharmacist can help you find the right allergy medications.

Antihistamines block histamine. You can start taking them a couple of weeks before the particular season when your allergies are likely to flare up. That may ease allergy symptoms when they do. Corticosteroids are another common allergy medication, this time to calm inflammation. For some people combination medications such as antihistamine and steroid nasal sprays can be effective. Decongestants can also work alongside antihistamines to unblock nasal passages. But they should only be taken for short periods.

Maybe you’ve tried symptom-relieving medications. Our allergy checker can help you work out whether your seasonal allergies are under control. And whether you might need different treatment.

Can you get rid of seasonal allergies?

There’s no cure yet but it may be possible to retrain your immune system not to react. The treatment is called allergy immunotherapy or desensitization. It’s available for seasonal allergies to tree, weed and grass pollen and some types of mold (and many other allergens, of course).

There are different forms of treatment. Subcutaneous immunotherapy means regular allergy shots at the doctor’s office. Sublingual immunotherapy is tablets; the first dose is under medical supervision for 30 minutes, then you take it at home. Your symptoms may improve in just a few months but you must keep going for the full course to get the benefit. It takes three to five years.

Your doctor or allergist can tell you if allergen immunotherapy is right for you.

We’re here for you

If you’ve read all the way to the end of this article about seasonal allergies, thank you. We’d love to know what you think. If you have any questions or would like to share your story, email us. You can find us on Facebook and Instagram too.

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