An allergy of the upper airways where an inhaled allergen causes an inflammatory response in the nose membranes is known as allergic rhinitis. Seasonal allergies are one type of allergic rhinitis. Inflammation occurs only during particular times of the year with seasonal allergic rhinitis, most likely triggered by;

1. Molds
2. Pollens
3. Other allergens present in the air during particular seasons.

Any substance to which an individual’s immune system has an abnormal sensitivity can be the allergens.

During an earlier exposure, most allergy patients were sensitized to their allergens. The immune system remembers the first encounter and sets off an allergic response on subsequent exposures.

A complex chain of reactions that lead to the eventual histamines release and other cell-chemicals of the nasal membranes are the factors associated with this inflammation response. The small blood vessels of the nose then dilated by these histamines and as a result fluids leak out into the surrounding tissue. This is the reason that symptoms such as watery eyes, and runny nose develop.

You probably are suffering from seasonal allergies if the allergies become worse during certain times of the year or you suffer from allergies only during certain times of the year.

Seasonal Allergy Treatment:

As with all types of allergy, avoidance of the known triggers is the first stage of the treatment. Following are the major categories of drug treatments of seasonal allergies.

1. Anticholingergics
2. Antihistamines
3. Anti-inflammatory medications such as leukotriene inhibitors, steroid nasal sprays, systemic steroids, cromolyn nasal sprays
4. Decongestants