Information on the causes and symptoms related to weather allergies.

What Are Weather Allergies?

There are several manifestations of health issues caused by changes in weather. Some are true allergies; others, while not caused by the same chemical responses within your body, can still make you feel miserable.

Allergic rhinitis is a true allergy. It is a response of your immune system to an allergen. An allergen is a substance that your body misidentifies as harmful, which causes it to release histamine and other chemicals. The result is what most people think of as an allergic reaction- coughing, sneezing, runny nose and red eyes. Wind, extreme temperature changes and thunderstorms can make allergens like pollen or pollutants airborne. Due to this, asthmatics may be more likely to suffer from asthma attacks. Conventional treatment for allergies includes the use of antihistamines to reduce symptoms.

Non-allergic rhinitis can also be precipitated by changes in weather. The symptoms are the same as allergic rhinitis; however, the internal response of the body is different. It is not an allergic reaction, so histamines are not released. As a result, commonly prescribed antihistamine medications do not work. Instead, irrigating the nasal passages with saline provides relief.

Weather can also cause joint aches and trigger migraine headaches. It affects people who suffer from cardiac or respiratory illnesses, and can change your energy levels and provoke changes in mood.

Diagnosing Weather Allergies

Take careful note of symptoms and triggers that precipitate discomfort. A conventional or alterative health practitioner will review your symptoms. Blood tests can reveal whether you have allergic or non-allergic rhinitis. Another way to tell is to see if you respond to antihistamine medications.

Help for Weather Allergies

As stated above, treatment depends upon whether the culprit is allergic or non-allergic rhinitis. Rhinitis is just a medical term for “runny nose” or “inflammation of the nose”.

Conventional practitioners will likely prescribe or recommend use of antihistamine medications if you have allergic rhinitis. Antihistamines relieve symptoms but can make you drowsy. Other weather-related health concerns are treated by conventional and alternative practitioners based upon your needs.