Season allergies are also known as "Hay Fever" are common, especially when the seasons change. It when mold, trees, grasses, and weeds release their spores into the air. The immune system treats these spores as invaders, and this causes allergy symptoms. One of the most common allergies in Israel is the Olive tree allergy. Olive trees are one of the most popular trees (In Israel, there are 52,500 acres of olive plantations) that are grown in Israel. What most people don't know is that the Olive trees cause a lot of allergies. The pollination season lasts two months from the beginning of May until the end of June. However, some people experience symptoms throughout the whole year.
Symptoms
The seasonal allergy symptoms vary from very mild to very acute, depending on the person. Many people often confuse the symptoms of seasonal allergies with the common cold, however, seasonal allergies symptoms can last many weeks. The most common symptoms include:
- Sneezing
- Itchy nose
- Itchy throat
- Runny nose
- Coughing
Nowadays, with the Coronavirus it is easy to confuse some of the seasonal allergy symptoms with Coronavirus symptoms. Both involve coughing, a stuffy nose, and sneezing. When speaking to a doctor it is important to remember to mention to them that you have seasonal allergies so that they do not confuse it with COVID-19 symptoms.
Treatment
If you don't treat seasonal allergies, you can suffer greatly from sneezing and coughing. One of the most common ways to treat allergies is with:
- Over the counter medication – there are many over the counter medications that can help people with allergy symptoms, relieving the runny nose, itchy throat, and the cough. Many of these medications are available in Israel, but they go by another name. EMA Care has many health professionals that know the medications in Israel.
- Avoidance – Many people try to avoid the allergy all together. For example they use air conditioning with a filter instead of using a ceiling fan. Many people also try to stay indoors and keep their windows shut. Funnily enough, many people wear masks during the allergy season to avoid the pollen and spores in the air. So, now you can wear a mask to protect you against the Coronavirus and seasonal allergies.
- Allergy shots – in some cases, doctors may recommend that you get an allergy shot. This is a type of immunotherapy that can help against allergy symptoms.
Many people suffer from seasonal allergies. It can be very annoying and irritating to live with, therefore, if you suffer from seasonal allergies, see a doctor and try different treatments in order to find a solution that works for you.