Mar 26, 20234 min read

Spring Has Sprung!

Updated: 4 days ago

Seasons can be defined in several different ways. The astronomical definition is based on the equinoxes and solstices, and spring begins with the spring equinox or vernal equinox. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is the equinox in March. As spring starts, the length of day increases dramatically in most regions.

During early spring, the axis of the Earth is increasing its tilt relative to the Sun, and the length of daylight rapidly increases. The hemisphere begins to warm significantly, causing new plant growth. Many flowering plants bloom at this time of year, in beautiful succession, sometimes even beginning when the snow is still on the ground and continues into early summer.

Spring is beautiful, but it's also a key time of year for seasonal allergies. As plants release pollen, millions of people with hay fever start to sniffle and sneeze.

There's no cure, but you can take steps to curb springtime allergies, from medication to household habits.

The biggest cause of spring allergies is pollen. The trees, grasses, and weeds release the tiny particles to the air as fertilizer for other plants. When they reach someone's nose who’s allergic the body goes into defense mode. The immune system treats the pollen as a danger and releases antibodies which attack these allergens. That in turn leads to the release of histamine chemicals into the blood. Histamines trigger the typical symptoms such as runny nose and itchy eyes. Pollen can travel for many miles so you need to be aware of what is around your area even at a distance away from your immediate neighborhood.

Treatment and Remedies

If you find you are starting to suffer from allergy symptoms, there are some things which may help you. Here are things you can do to manage or treat your symptoms:

Check the pollen count: Take a look at the pollen count before going outside. You may want to stay indoors if it’s high that day. Wearing a mask may help reduce the pollen intake but remember it can get into your eyes.
Vacuum frequently: Vacuuming often with a HEPA-filter vacuum can help reduce the level of pollen in your home.
Take a shower when you come in: Rinsing off your hair and body will help remove the sticky pollen.
Use your air conditioner: On high pollen days, keep your windows closed and turn on the A/C instead. Adding a HEPA filter to your system helps also.
Avoid outdoor morning activity: Pollen is usually at the highest level in the morning, so avoid outdoor activity at this time to limit exposure.

Outdoor mold spores begin to increase as the temperatures rise in the spring. Molds are microscopic fungi that produce spores, which spread through the air and can trigger or aggravate asthma symptoms. Unlike pollen which you can see everywhere, you might not notice mold spores floating through the air.

How does mold get to the indoor environment and how does it grow?

Mold is found indoors and outdoors. It can enter your home through open doorways, windows, vents, and heating and air conditioning systems. Outside mold can attach to clothing, shoes, and pets which can then be carried indoors. When mold spores drop in places where there is excessive moisture, it will grow. Many building materials can help mold to grow. Wet cellulose materials, such as paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, and wood, are highly conducive for growth of some molds. Other materials which support mold growth are: dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery.

A mold allergy causes the same signs and symptoms that occur in other types of upper respiratory allergies. Signs and symptoms of allergic rhinitis caused by a mold allergy can include:

Sneezing
Runny or stuffy nose
Cough and postnasal drip
Itchy eyes, nose and throat
Watery eyes
Dry, scaly skin

Mold allergy symptoms vary from person to person and range from mild to severe. You might have year-round symptoms or symptoms that flare up only during certain times of the year. You might notice symptoms when the weather is damp or when you're in indoor or outdoor spaces that have high concentrations of mold.

Like any allergy, mold allergy symptoms are triggered by an overly sensitive immune system response. When you inhale tiny, airborne mold spores, your body recognizes them as foreign invaders and develops allergy-causing antibodies to fight them.

Exposure to mold spores can cause a reaction right away, or the reaction can be delayed.

Various molds are common indoors and outdoors. Only certain kinds of mold cause allergies. Being allergic to one type of mold doesn't mean you'll be allergic to another. Some of the most common molds that cause allergies include alternaria, aspergillus, cladosporium and penicillium.

Besides allergens, mold can pose other health risks to susceptible people. For example, mold can cause infections of the skin or mucous membranes. Generally, however, mold doesn't cause systemic infections except for people with impaired immune systems or who are taking immunosuppressant medication.