• March 24, 2021
  • Zoneth Medical Technology
  • 0

Have Seasonal Allergies? Your Face Mask Can Help

A seasonal allergy is an allergic reaction to a trigger that is typically only present for parts of the year, such as spring or fall. This type of allergy refers to a pollen allergy, such as trees, weeds, and grasses. Perennial allergies, on the other hand, are usually present year-round and include allergens such as pet dander and house dust mite. Molds can be a seasonal or perennial allergy trigger. Seasonal allergies are also often referred to as hay fever.

Symptoms of Seasonal Allergies

Symptoms of seasonal allergies include sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, itching of the nose, and post-nasal drip. Not all people experience all of the symptoms of hay fever, and in some people, only one symptom will predominate. It may be difficult to tell the difference between seasonal allergies and the common cold, and only an allergist may be able to tell the difference.

How Pollen Causes Seasonal Allergies

Pollens are tiny, egg-shaped powdery grains released from flowering plants, which are carried by the wind or insects and serve to cross-pollinate other plants of the same type for reproductive purposes. When pollen is present in the air, it can land in a person’s eyes, nose, lungs, and skin to set up an allergic reaction. Symptoms may include allergic rhinitis (hay fever), allergic conjunctivitis (eye allergies), and allergic asthma.

Pollens that are spread by the wind are usually the main cause of seasonal allergies, while pollens that rely on insects (such as the honeybee) to be carried to other plants do not. Most plants with bright, vibrant flowers (such as roses) are insect-pollinated and do not generally cause seasonal allergies since the pollen is not usually present in the air.

How Masks Offer Protection

Environmental allergens are typically larger particles than bacteria and viruses. Allergens exist in the world across a multitude of sizes. For example, pollen is typically larger in particle size, so a less efficient mask would work for these. Conversely, environmental tobacco smoke is considered a particle but very small. The same high-efficiency masks used for COVID-19 would be required if the person has allergies to smoke. The recommendation would be to look at what a person is allergic to and determine a particle size associated with that allergen through a quick web search. Cloth masks are also effective, especially outside where environmental particles tend to be larger. However, cloth masks still need to be washed regularly.

What This Means For You

Face masks  are useful tools for maintaining optimal lung health even beyond the scope of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you have seasonal allergies, get into the habit of checking your local allergy report. You might be able to reduce your symptoms by wearing a face mask when you go outside when allergen levels are high.