Seasonal Allergies: What to Watch for Every Season

If your nose seems to have its own weather forecast, you are not alone.

Seasonal allergies can cause sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes, runny nose, and that constant feeling that you need to rub your face. But allergy triggers change throughout the year, and knowing what is causing your symptoms can make treatment much easier.

Spring: Tree Pollen Takes Over

Spring is one of the biggest allergy seasons.

As trees start producing pollen, people who are sensitive may notice:

• Sneezing
• Clear runny nose
• Nasal congestion
• Itchy or watery eyes
• Itchy nose or throat

Tree pollen can travel surprisingly long distances. You do not need a giant tree in your backyard to feel the effects.

Keeping windows closed on high-pollen days, showering after spending time outside, and changing your clothes when you get home may help reduce exposure.

Late Spring and Summer: Grass Pollen Arrives

Once tree pollen starts settling down, grass pollen often takes its place.

Symptoms can look almost identical to spring allergies. Some people also notice their symptoms getting worse after cutting the lawn, visiting parks, or spending longer periods outside.

If you know grass triggers your allergies, checking pollen levels before planning a long outdoor day may save you a lot of sneezing later.

Late Summer and Fall: Ragweed Season

For many Canadians, late summer is when ragweed becomes the main troublemaker.

Ragweed pollen can cause significant symptoms from late summer into the fall. You may notice congestion, itchy eyes, frequent sneezing, and a runny nose that seems to appear every August or September.

If this happens at roughly the same time every year, that pattern is an important clue.

Winter: Allergies Do Not Always Take the Winter Off

Winter may reduce outdoor pollen, but indoor allergens can become more noticeable.

People spend more time inside with:

• Dust mites
• Pet dander
• Mould
• Indoor dust

Dry heated air can also irritate your nose and make existing allergy symptoms feel worse.

Is It Allergies or a Cold?

Allergies usually cause itching, sneezing, watery eyes, and clear nasal drainage. They can also last for weeks while the allergen remains present.

Colds are more likely to cause sore throat, fatigue, and sometimes fever.

A good clue is repetition. If the same symptoms appear every spring or every August, allergies become much more likely.

Do Not Wait Until You Are Miserable

Many allergy treatments work better when you start them before symptoms become severe.

Depending on your symptoms, your pharmacist may recommend an antihistamine, a steroid nasal spray, allergy eye drops, or a combination of treatments.

Technique matters too. A nasal spray pointed in the wrong direction may end up irritating your nose instead of helping it.

The Bottom Line

Your allergies can change with the calendar.

• Spring: Tree pollen
• Summer: Grass pollen
• Late summer and fall: Ragweed
• Winter: Indoor allergens such as dust mites, pet dander, and mould

Once you recognize your pattern, you can prepare earlier and choose treatment based on what is actually causing your symptoms.

And if every season somehow seems to be allergy season for you, your pharmacist can help you figure out what may be triggering it.