Spring Allergy Questions While most people gratefully welcome the longer days and warmer weather of spring, many people dread the itchy eyes, runny nose, and sneezing that comes with the season. These people suffer from seasonal allergies, more scientifically known as seasonal rhinitis. National Jewish allergist Richard Weber, M.D. answers several common questions about seasonal rhinitis and what can be done to ease the discomfort. Q: What causes my allergies to flare up in the spring? A: Pollen is the most likely cause. Your immune system has mistakenly learned to remember the pollen released by various plants as potentially harmful, and responds with the familiar allergic symptoms. Each species of plant releases pollen at about the same time every year. Trees are usually the first plants to release pollen, usually in the early spring. Grasses come next in the spring and early summer. Weeds generally release their pollen in late summer and fall. The specific types of pollen and the time of their release depends upon the local climate and varies around the country. People with seasonal rhinitis are often allergic to more than one type of pollen. Q: How can I tell whether I have allergies or just a cold? A: Generally, allergies last longer than a cold, often for a few weeks. If you notice a pattern in which you suffer the same symptoms at the same time year after year, you are likely suffering from allergies. Frequent sneezing and itchy, watery eyes are more frequently associated with an allergy rather than a cold. Also, a clear nasal discharge suggests that you are suffering from allergies. When you have a cold, the mucus is more often greenish or yellowish. A fever is also indicative of a cold. Sometimes it can be hard to tell the difference between seasonal allergies, a cold, or another condition.   We need your feedback We want to continually improve the Asthma Centre Website, so we need your help. Please fill out our Quality Feedback E-mail form so we can use your responses, comments and suggestions to make the Asthma Centre Website even better!   Download and Print Brochures Turbuhaler Information Symptom Diary Card Rhinocort Turbuhaler -More downloads... Currently, an estimated 25 per cent of Canadian people with asthma are not acheiving adequate control of their symptoms. Questions & Answers   What to expect at the Centre Puffer Demonstration poster Myths Itchy Eyes Human Swine Flu How the Centre came to be How safe is your school? General Centre Enquires Exercise Induced Asthma Asthma Triggers Asthma in General   Discussions and Feedback   Discuss your asthma topics ONLINE! Have Asthma? Here are just a few topics on our bulletin board, click one to find out more. More Bulletin Board Topics...   Caregivers Medications and Devices Is your school safe? Exercise Induced Asthma More information on Caregivers...   Newsletter Sign up for e-mail updates from the centre. mailing list name: email: subscribe remove   This site has been supported by an unrestricted educational grant by Astra Zeneca.

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