If you are among the many in our region who suffer from hay fever, a St. Louis allergy doctor may be able to finally give you relief. It is common to live with hay fever for year without ever seeking allergy help from a St. Louis allergist. A consultation with a St. Louis allergy doctor may give you immediate relief and provide you with tips on prevention, or one of our St. Louis allergists may prescribe ongoing allergy treatment to address your hay fever.

St. Louis Allergy Doctors Explain Hayfever

Hay fever, also known as seasonal allergic rhinitis, is an allergy-related inflammation of the nasal passages, throat, and eye membrane (conjunctival, caused by sensitivity to airborne pollens and molds. These airborne pollens come from various species of trees, grasses, weeds and other plants in St. Louis whose pollens are carried by the wind rather than by insects. Because different types of pollen trigger symptoms in different people, hay fever season is not set in St. Louis as much as it is particular to each person. However, each person’s specific hay fever “season” is fairly predictable and is related to times when their allergy-triggering plant is in bloom in St. Louis. For example, for people who are allergic to tree pollen and who live in St. Louis, symptoms usually are worst from March through May, when trees are blossoming. June and July are peak months for people who are allergic to grasses in St. Louis, while people with ragweed allergies in St. Louis suffer the worst symptoms from mid-August through October. Since mold depends on damp, dark conditions, people in St. Louis who are allergic to mold tend to have the least predictable allergy season. They usually find that their symptoms are related to warm, rainy weather. In St. Louis, this means that summer and fall are peak times.

Hay fever and its sister ailment, perennial allergic rhinitis (a year-round sensitivity to animal dander, dust mites and cockroaches), are most common in people in St. Louis who have a family history of allergies or a personal history of allergy-related conditions, such as eczema and childhood asthma. Currently, about 20% of people in the United States suffer from either seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis, although seasonal allergic rhinitis can affect people in all age groups. Our St. Louis allergists find its symptoms usually peak during childhood and adolescence.

Symptoms of Hay Fever for St. Louis Residents

Symptoms of hay fever usually begin before age 30. They typically include:

• Sneezing
• Itchy and runny nose
• Stuffy nose
• Red itchy and water eyes
• Itchy or sore throat

The congested nose can lead to mouth breathing and the dripping mucus can cause persistent cough and sore throat. Because hay fever also causes swelling near the sinuses and near the opening of the Eustachian tube (passage that connects the throat to middle ear). Sufferers can develop additional symptoms of secondary sinus infections or ear infections. All of these conditions can be treated at our St. Louis allergy clinic.

St. Louis Allergy Doctor for Hayfever

If you have experienced seasonal symptoms of hayfever, an allergist at our St. Louis allergy and asthma clinic can help you get relief. From prevention tips to allergy treatment, our St. Louis allergists are here to help. For diagnosis and treatment, contact our St. Louis allergy doctor office. One of the allergists will assess your condition and determine the best treatment method at our St. Louis allergy clinic. Taking most insurance, our clinic boasts some of the best allergists in St. Louis.

More info: http://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/allergies/rhinitis