For many families, the first warm days of spring bring sneezing and itchy eyes along with the blossoms. For others, the trouble never takes a season off, thanks to dust mites in the bedroom, a beloved cat or mold in a damp basement. Seasonal allergies and indoor allergies affect children and adults alike.
The good news is that allergies are not something you simply have to put up with. In this WhatsOnTech guide, we explain how allergies work, how to spot your triggers, practical ways to cut exposure at home, which over-the-counter treatments help, and how to recognize a severe reaction that needs emergency care.
Key Takeaways
- Allergies happen when the immune system overreacts to usually harmless substances such as pollen, dust mites, mold or pet dander.
- Reducing exposure at home, especially in the bedroom, can noticeably ease symptoms.
- Nasal steroid sprays and non-drowsy antihistamines help many people; follow the label and check age limits for children.
- An allergist can pinpoint triggers with testing and offer allergy shots or tablets for longer-term relief.
- Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency: use prescribed epinephrine right away and call 911.
What Happens During an Allergic Reaction
With allergies, the immune system mistakes a harmless substance, called an allergen, for a threat. It makes antibodies against it, and on later exposures it releases histamine and other chemicals that cause sneezing, itching, swelling and congestion.
Allergies tend to run in families, though children do not always inherit the same ones as their parents. Nasal allergies, often called hay fever or allergic rhinitis, frequently travel with asthma and eczema, so a child with one of these conditions may be more likely to develop the others.
Common Symptoms and How to Tell Allergies From a Cold
Typical allergy symptoms include sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose, itchy or watery eyes, an itchy throat or ears, postnasal drip and coughing. Children may rub their noses upward, breathe through their mouths, develop dark circles under the eyes, or seem tired and cranky from poor sleep.
Allergy or Cold?
- Itching of the eyes, nose or throat points toward allergies.
- Fever and body aches suggest an infection; allergies do not cause fever.
- Timing matters: colds usually clear in about a week to 10 days, while allergies last as long as you are exposed.
- Patterns help, too. Symptoms that return at the same time each year or around a specific pet or place suggest allergies.
Seasonal Triggers: Pollen and Outdoor Mold
Timing varies by region, but in much of the US, tree pollen peaks in spring, grass pollen in late spring and summer, and weed pollen, including ragweed, in late summer and fall. Outdoor mold spores rise in damp weather and around piles of wet leaves. Warm, dry, windy days often bring higher pollen levels, while a good rain can briefly clear the air.
Outdoor Exposure Checklist
- Check the local pollen forecast and plan strenuous outdoor activity for lower-pollen days when possible.
- Keep windows closed at home and in the car, and use air conditioning.
- Shower, wash your hair and change clothes after spending time outside, especially before bed.
- Dry laundry in a dryer rather than on an outdoor line.
- Wear a well-fitting mask when mowing or raking, or ask someone without allergies to handle those chores.
Indoor Triggers: Dust Mites, Pets, Mold and Cockroaches
Dust Mites
These microscopic creatures live in bedding, upholstered furniture, carpets and stuffed toys, and they thrive in humid air. Since people spend so many hours in bed, the bedroom is the best place to start:
- Cover mattresses, box springs and pillows with zippered allergen-proof covers.
- Wash sheets, pillowcases and blankets weekly in hot water, at least 130°F, and dry them on a hot setting.
- Keep indoor humidity below about 50 percent, using a dehumidifier or air conditioning if needed.
- Limit stuffed toys on the bed and wash them regularly.
- Vacuum with a HEPA-filter vacuum, ideally when the allergic person is out of the room.
Pet Dander
Pet allergens come from proteins in skin flakes, saliva and urine, not just fur, and no dog or cat breed is truly allergen-free. Keeping pets out of the bedroom, running a HEPA air cleaner, washing hands after petting animals and cleaning upholstered furniture often can all reduce exposure.
Indoor Mold
Mold grows wherever moisture lingers, such as bathrooms, basements and under sinks. Fix leaks promptly, run exhaust fans while showering and cooking, and use a dehumidifier in damp spaces. Small patches on hard surfaces can usually be scrubbed off with detergent and water; large areas or mold caused by flooding may need professional cleanup.
Cockroaches
Cockroach droppings and body parts can trigger allergies and asthma, particularly in city housing. Store food in sealed containers, take out trash daily, fix leaky pipes and use baits or traps, or hire a pest control professional.
Over-the-Counter Relief: What Works
Nasal Steroid Sprays
For many people, these sprays are the most effective option for congestion, sneezing and runny nose. They work best used every day and can take several days or longer to reach full effect, so starting a couple of weeks before your usual season can help. Aim the spray slightly toward the outer side of the nostril, away from the center wall of the nose. Check the age limits on the label, and ask your pediatrician before using them for children.
Antihistamines
Antihistamine pills, liquids and eye drops relieve itching, sneezing and a runny nose but do less for congestion. Newer antihistamines such as cetirizine, loratadine and fexofenadine cause less drowsiness than older ones like diphenhydramine, which can make people sleepy and affect driving and schoolwork. Even newer antihistamines make some people drowsy, so see how you react before driving.
Decongestants, Saline and Eye Care
Decongestant pills can ease stuffiness but may raise blood pressure, speed up the heart and disturb sleep. Ask a doctor or pharmacist first if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, glaucoma, thyroid problems or prostate enlargement. Decongestant nasal sprays should be limited to a few days to avoid rebound congestion. Saline rinses, using distilled, sterile, or previously boiled and cooled water, help wash pollen from the nose, and cool compresses or artificial tears can soothe itchy eyes.
Whatever you choose, read labels carefully, avoid taking two products with the same active ingredient, and ask a pharmacist about interactions if you take other medicines, are pregnant or are treating a child.
Allergy Testing and Long-Term Treatment
An allergist, a doctor who specializes in allergies and immunology, can confirm triggers with skin prick tests or blood tests. Results are interpreted alongside your symptoms, because a positive test alone does not always mean a true allergy. Skip at-home kits that measure IgG antibodies to foods; major allergy organizations say these tests cannot diagnose allergies.
For people whose symptoms persist despite medicine, immunotherapy can retrain the immune system over time. Allergy shots are given on a regular schedule, usually for three to five years. For certain allergens, including grass pollen, ragweed and dust mites, daily tablets that dissolve under the tongue are another option, with the first dose given in the doctor’s office. Both can reduce symptoms and medicine needs over the long run.
Food allergies also deserve careful attention. Talk with your pediatrician about introducing common allergenic foods, including peanut, during infancy; current guidance supports early introduction for many babies, with extra steps for those with severe eczema or egg allergy. Allergies often show up on the skin, too, and our skin health guide covers eczema and hives. Browse more allergy and immunology guides or visit the WhatsOnTech homepage for more family health guides.
When to See a Doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor or an allergist if you notice:
- Symptoms that last for weeks or disrupt sleep, school or work
- Over-the-counter medicines that do not help or cause bothersome side effects
- Wheezing, nighttime coughing, chest tightness or shortness of breath, which may signal asthma
- Frequent sinus or ear infections, or a stuffy nose that never seems to clear
- Any suspected reaction to a food, insect sting or medicine, even a mild one
- Hives or swelling that keep coming back
Know the Signs of Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is a severe, whole-body allergic reaction that can develop within minutes. Signs include:
- Trouble breathing, wheezing or repeated coughing
- Throat tightness, a hoarse voice or trouble swallowing
- Swelling of the lips, tongue or face
- Widespread hives, flushing or itching
- Vomiting or severe stomach cramps
- Dizziness, fainting, a weak pulse, or pale or bluish skin
If these signs appear, use a prescribed epinephrine auto-injector (or other prescribed epinephrine device) right away, then call 911. Antihistamines cannot stop anaphylaxis, so do not wait to see if they work. Have the person lie down with legs raised unless they are struggling to breathe or vomiting, and follow their emergency action plan if a second dose is needed. Go to the emergency room even if symptoms improve, because they can return. For any emergency in the US, call 911.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you develop allergies as an adult?
Yes. New allergies can appear at any age, sometimes after a move to a region with different plants or a new exposure such as a pet. If new symptoms keep recurring, talk with your doctor.
Are there hypoallergenic dogs or cats?
No breed is truly allergen-free, although individual animals vary in how much allergen they shed. If someone in your family has allergies, spend time around the specific animal before bringing it home, and talk to an allergist about ways to manage symptoms.
Can I take allergy medicine every day during the season?
Many nonprescription nasal steroid sprays and non-drowsy antihistamines are labeled for daily use during allergy season, but directions differ by product and age. Some children’s products limit how long they should be used without a doctor’s guidance. Check the label and ask your doctor about long-term use.
Does eating local honey cure seasonal allergies?
There is no good evidence that local honey prevents or treats seasonal allergies. Honey is also unsafe for babies under 12 months. Proven options such as reducing exposure, using appropriate medicines and immunotherapy are better bets.
Sources and Further Reading
- American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI)
- American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI)
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
- MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine)
This guide is for general education only and is not medical advice. Please talk with your doctor about your own health or your child’s health before starting or changing any treatment.
