Spring Allergies

Spring allergies

Allergy and the body

What is an allergy?

Allergies

Allergies are the immune system's incorrect response to allergens (foreign substances). Exposure to what is normally a harmless substance causes the immune system to react as if the substance is harmful. People may experience a number of allergic symptoms including itchy, watery nose and eyes, asthma symptoms, eczema or hives and allergic shock (also called anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock).

For more information, see Allergy.

Animation: Allergies

An allergy occurs when the body reacts to substances it can't tolerate. The substances, like tree pollen or dust mites, are called environmental antigens, or allergens, and are normally harmless. But the immune system of a person with allergies views the allergens as harmful.

Watch the animation Allergies.

The immune system

The immune system has the very important role of protecting us from infection. Most of the time, the immune system functions well, with an immune response directed against a potentially harmful organism (such as a bacterium or virus). But in some people, the immune system attacks a harmless substance, which can lead to damage to human tissues.

For more information, see Allergy and the Immune System.

Spring allergies

Video: Allergies

Allergies can effect people all year round, but springtime is when they're most likely to occur. Dr Joe Kosterich talks about springtime allergies, including what causes them, why you get them in spring, and what to do to help prevent or treat them.

Watch the video Allergies.

Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is a very common reason for an individual to experience an uncomfortable, red eye. There are a number of distinct origins for conjunctivitis, including bacteria, viruses and, importantly, allergies. Some people are susceptible to seasonal allergic conjunctivitis in spring, a time when there are many airborne grass pollens.

For more information, seeSimple Allergic Conjunctivitis.

Hayfever (seasonal allergic rhinitis)

Seasonal rhinitis or hayfever, is characterised by irritation and congestion or watering of the nose, itchy eyes, ears and throat, and sneezing. It occurs due to an exaggerated response to an environmental trigger which results in inflammation of the lining of the nose. Pollen is the most common trigger, hence symptoms are usually experienced during the spring and summer months when the pollen season is at its peak.

For more information, see Hayfever (Seasonal Rhinitis).

Prevention and treatment

Video: Treating hayfever

Associate Professor Frank Thien talks about the association between hayfever and asthma, how to diagnose hayfever, and how to treat it.

Watch a video about Hayfever.

How to prevent allergies

Preventing allergies

A lot of research over recent years has focussed on the prevention of the development of allergies in children as the number of people with allergic diseases has risen dramatically over the last century, with the prevalence of asthma doubling between 1970 to 1990 in Australia, New Zealand, United States and much of Europe.

For more information, see Preventing Allergies.

How to avoid suffering from allergies

Once you are allergic to a substance, the best way to treat it is to avoid what you are allergic to. This will alleviate symptoms if you are able to avoid the allergen. It is important to first identify what you are allergic to, which is best done by skin-prick tests (or RAST if skin-prick tests cannot be performed).

For more information, see Allergen Avoidance.

Patient experience

Bec says goodbye and good riddance to allergies

Allergies

Now that Rebecca is older, her friends know her as 'Bec', but when she was younger, her classmates just knew her as the girl with the runny nose. Bec has successfully overcome the annoying and often embarrassing affliction of allergies and now wants to pass on her experience to let others know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

For more information, see Patient Experience: Bec Says Goodbye and Good Riddance to Allergies.