Common signs of pollen allergies and ways to help support symptom relief

Many people enjoy going outside and exploring nature, especially in the spring, summer and fall. For some, though, spending time outdoors during these seasons can cause pollen allergies to flare and may lead to itching eyes or sneezing.

While a pollen allergy may be uncomfortable, there are ways to help manage the symptoms. Here are a few things to know about the symptoms and types of pollen allergies and how people can start to breathe a little easier.

In this article:

What is pollen?

To people who have seasonal allergies, pollen can be a source of frustration and discomfort. Pollen is a byproduct of the reproductive process of many plants and is often found in the form of a powder-like substance.

Once pollen forms on trees, grass or weeds, it can be spread around by water, insects and wind. Many may be familiar with the sight of a yellowish layer of dust on cars in the springtime or a powder released from flowering plants when the wind is strong. These are usually telltale signs that there is pollen in the air.

What is a pollen allergy?

One way to help avoid symptoms caused by allergies is to avoid the trigger substance altogether. However, if someone has a pollen allergy, this may be harder to do. After all, people can’t control what’s present in the air. For outdoor allergies, limiting outdoor activities during high-pollen-count times may help manage symptoms.

Seasonal allergic rhinitis (also called “hay fever”) may be caused by pollen. If someone has allergic rhinitis, the immune system may mistakenly confuse a typically harmless substance (the allergen, in this case pollen) as a harmful and unwelcome visitor. Once the body detects the presence of the substance, the allergic reaction may begin. This may include the body releasing histamine, which can cause symptoms in the eyes, nose, throat and roof of the mouth.

Symptoms of pollen allergies

If someone finds that pollen causes a reaction in their body, they’re not alone. In fact, millions of Americans are affected by seasonal or year-round allergies every year.

People with pollen allergies have symptoms only when the pollen they are allergic to is in the air. The following are a few possible pollen allergy symptoms:

• Allergy-induced red eyes
• Itching in the ears
• Itchy eyes
• Itchy throat
• Nasal congestion (a stuffy nose)
• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Wheezing

People who have asthma may find that symptoms related to their asthma condition get worse during pollen exposure, such as coughing and shortness of breath.

Types of pollen allergies

The three main types of pollen allergies to know are grass pollen, tree pollen and weed pollen. In the United States, they may occur at different times of the year.

Grass pollen

Grass pollen allergies are among the most common seasonal allergies. Grass pollen is responsible for many late spring and early summer allergy symptoms, typically from April through early June. In warmer parts of the country, however, grass pollen can be present year-round. Because grass pollen is very light and can be easily carried by the wind, people may be exposed even if they aren’t allergic to the grass near their home. Some common grass pollen allergens include Bermuda, fescue, Johnson, orchard and timothy grasses.

Tree pollen

Tree pollen is a very common cause of pollen allergies, with a typical peak pollen season ranging from February to April. But some areas, such as the South, may have trees producing pollen as early as December or January. The pollen may also peak multiple times during the year. A few tree types that most often cause pollen allergy symptoms include maple, birch, cedar, ash and oak trees, but tree pollen allergies can range widely depending on where someone lives.

Weed pollen

Depending on location, ragweed season typically starts around August and can last six to ten weeks, peaking in mid-September and sometimes continuing into October. Ragweed is part of a larger family of wind-pollinated plants, which includes burweed marsh elder, eupatorium, groundsel bush, mugwort, rabbitbrush and sage.

Pollen allergy diagnosis

For those who are tired of sneezing, wheezing or wiping off their runny nose, it may be time to see a medical care provider. During an appointment, the health care provider will take a detailed history and do a physical examination. They may administer an allergy test to see how the body responds to the various types of pollen.

One common pollen allergy test is a skin prick test. A health care provider will apply the allergen to their patient’s skin and use a small, sharp tool to prick the applied spot, so it goes under the skin’s surface.

“Allergy skin prick testing (SPT), or percutaneous testing, is the gold standard recommendation for diagnosis of environmental allergies according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Practice Parameters. This skin prick test helps to identify most pollen allergies and can take about 20 to 40 minutes to perform,” says double board-certified allergist and immunologist Sairaman Nagarajan, MD, MPH.

“If skin prick testing is negative or partially positive, an intradermal test (IDT) is the commonly recommended next step to confirm allergies. Intradermal allergy tests can help diagnose pollen allergies and detect a variety of allergies, including tree pollens, grass and weed, among others,” according to Nagarajan.

Another option is a blood test. “Historically the RAST technique was used to identify allergies on blood testing, with poor sensitivity and specificity. Nowadays, an ImmunoCAP technique is commonplace and approaches allergy skin testing in sensitivity and specificity,” says Nagarajan. “Your doctor may order blood testing in case allergy testing may aggravate symptoms, or for those who are needle phobic.”

Managing symptoms of pollen allergies

Although pollen allergies can make anyone feel miserable, there is good news: Plenty of care options exist to help provide relief for any number of pollen allergy symptoms. Some can be obtained over the counter and used at home. Others are prescribed and administered by a medical provider.

Over-the-counter medication

There are many allergy relief support products that can be purchased over the counter (OTC). Nagarajan shares that most immunologists recommend second- and third-generation antihistamines to treat pollen allergies. “Many of these are available OTC. Allergists prefer these because of the longer (up to 24 hour) duration of effect and minimal sedation and/or side effects.”

Some allergy relief options to consider:

• Zyrtec 24hr allergy relief tablets
• Claritin 24hr non drowsy allergy relief tablets
• Xyzal allergy 24hr allergy relief
• Allegra allergy 24hr non drowsy antihistamine tablets

Another popular at-home option for OTC allergy medication is steroid nasal spray. For example:

• Flonase non-drowsy 24hr allergy relief spray
• Nasacort 24hr non-drowsy multi-symptom allergy nasal spray

Follow the instructions on the product package on how and when to use any OTC medication.

Feeling stuffed up? A decongestant may help. These medications work by shrinking blood vessels in the nose.

Nagarajan notes that decongestants, with or without antihistamines, can only be used for a certain number of days, after which a person may experience rebound congestion. So, it’s wise that people stick to these as a short-term solution.

Some decongestant products to consider:

• Zyrtec-D 12 hour allergy medicine and nasal decongestant tablets
• Allegra-D non-drowsy 12hr allergy relief and decongestant extended release tablets

Avoiding allergy triggers

Though pollen allergies occur naturally and can’t be completely avoided, there is plenty of ongoing research and work done to educate people on ways to help manage their pollen allergies, including reduction of exposure. For quick on-the-go reference, people can check their local pollen count, which indicates the level of airborne pollen present in the area.

Allergy shots

Allergy shots may be a possible management option. A health care provider may look at the length of someone’s allergy season and the severity of their symptoms as well as other factors to determine treatment options.

“Allergy shots, also called immunotherapy, are the only FDA-approved, long-term therapy for allergies,” Nagarajan says. “Such treatment is about 70 percent effective and is based on re-educating the body's immune system by promoting tolerance to pollen, dust, pets, etc. By giving gradually increasing doses of weekly and later monthly injections following well-established dosing guidelines, people can become desensitized to their allergies over time.”

Key takeaways

Pollen allergies are common and can cause symptoms like breathing issues, itchy eyes, nasal congestion and sneezing. Grass, tree and weed pollen affect people at different times of the year depending on location. While pollen exposure may not be fully avoided, symptoms can often be managed through trigger avoidance, over-the-counter options or care from a medical provider. Understanding pollen triggers and available management options can help people better manage their allergy symptoms.