Are you affected by seasonal allergies, but aren’t sure what is causing your reaction?

Fortunately, most seasonal allergies follow predictable schedules because they correspond to blooming season of a certain offending plant. In order to best relieve allergy symptoms without having to resort to round-the-clock doses of allergy medicines, it is important to determine what months will cause your symptoms to spike. For a quick reference to determine what kind of pollen you are allergic to, click on the calendar below:

This calendar information is based on the blooming season for plants, molds and trees in North America. Based on the months that your allergens are in bloom, it would be best to avoid places where these plants or trees are growing (i.e. if you are allergic to grasses and weeds, you might want to reconsider that picnic you planned to have in the middle of a field).

The most accurate way to determine what plants you are allergic to is to visit an allergist for a skin prick test. This is a test where tiny amounts of different allergens are placed on the patient’s forearm and a small tool is used to scratch the surface of the skin. Typically this is a quick, effective and inexpensive method of allergy testing.

In severe cases of seasonal allergies (“hay fever”), where allergy symptoms are year-round, it is important to get tested so that you will be able to pinpoint the cause and minimize exposure. No matter what causes your allergies, it is recommended by allergists that you install a HEPA quality air filter, like those made by Dynamic Air Cleaners, to cut down on the pollen in indoor air.