Seasonal allergies in the elderly
What are seasonal allergies?
Seasonal allergies can affect anyone and occurs at certain points of the year. It is an allergic condition sometimes referred to as hay fever or allergic rhinitis.
According to the NHS, an allergy is where your body reacts to something that’s normally harmless like pollen, dust or animal fur. The symptoms can be mild, but for some people, they can be very serious. They can come at any time of the year, but most people are allergic to pollen which is most common in late spring and early summer according to the Met Office. Allergy UK also says that tree pollen is likely in the spring, grass pollen in the summer and weed pollen in the autumn. So, allergies can occur at various points throughout the years and cause discomfort. Seasonal allergies can be mild and unserious for some, and very serious and severe for others. Treatments are in place to manage these symptoms and prevent them from worsening.
Are the elderly more susceptible to seasonal allergies?
The elderly may be more susceptible to seasonal allergies than younger people.
Seasonal allergies can affect all ages but can be especially so due to our immune system not being as strong in our older years. Seasonal allergies can aggravate other long-term medical conditions like joint pain, respiratory diseases or cardiovascular diseases. Older adults may also find it difficult to deal with the discomfort of runny noses and itchy eyes if they have limited energy and difficulty sleeping. Causes of watery eyes in the elderly can be down to allergens and their ability to irritate.
What seasons bring the most allergies?
Different allergies can occur throughout different seasons of symptoms can very in severity.
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Spring
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In Spring, the biggest trigger for allergies is pollen. Trees and weeds release tiny grains into the air to fertilise other plants which can travel for miles, which irritates someone prone to allergies.
Mould can also be triggered by spring cleaning due to increased dust particles.
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Summer
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Summer brings similar allergens to spring, such as pollen. However, it’s the grass and weeds that are the trigger. Ragweed in particular is one of the most common summer allergy triggers.
Summer’s strong sunlight and calm winds create clouds of ozone around some cities which can make your allergens worse.
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Autumn
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Ragweed is the biggest allergen trigger in autumn is a primary contributor to hay fever and allergic rhinitis.
Mould is also present during the autumn due to piles of damp leaves being ideal conditions for mould to grow. Dust mites are also common and get stirred into the air when you begin to turn on your heating in the colder weather.
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Winter
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Pollen isn’t much of a problem in winter, although indoor allergies are more plentiful. Spending more time inside means more exposure to mould, dust mites and other irritants that reside within the home.
When you turn on your heating, it sends dust, mould spores, and insect parts into the air. They can get into your nose and trigger a reaction.
Some common symptoms of seasonal allergies and how you can counter them
Here are some of the common symptoms associated with seasonal allergies and they can vary from mild to severe:
Itchy / Watery Eyes
Pollen and dander can cause the dilation of blood vessels in the membrane covering the eye. This results in reddening and watering of the eyes called allergic conjunctivitis and is usually accompanied by an itching and tearing sensation.
Runny nose
Once you’ve become irritated by pollen or another irritant, your immune system tries to protect your body by releasing histamine. This causes mucous membranes in your nose, eyes and throat to become inflamed, itchy and runny as they work to eject the allergen.
Sneezing
Allergic rhinitis is where your nose and airways get irritated by particles in the air and are prompted into sneezing, itching or being runny and blocked. It can also cause the roof of your mouth to become itchy and can come with a persistent cough.
Coughing
Allergins such as pollen, dander, mould or others can cause a chronic, dry cough. The allergens can aggravate the lining of the nose, causing a postnatal drip which causes a tickle that leads to coughing. If you have asthma, coughing may worsen this.
Headaches
A sinus headache is caused by swelling in the sinuses that block the openings, preventing drainage and causing pressure to build. This sudden inflammation in the face and head is what causes a sinus or allergy headache.
Fatigue
Allergy fatigue or tiredness is caused by the body’s immune response to allergens. When the immune system identifies a harmless substance as a threat, it attacks it. Similar to how the body fights off viruses, the body’s efforts to fight of allergens can cause fatigue.
Can the elderly take antihistamines?
Elderly people should avoid over the counter, 'first generation' antihistamines.
Over-the-counter antihistamines are older and have certain side effects which should be avoided if you or a loved one is elderly. These medications often have side effects of anxiety, confusion, drowsiness and dizziness. Therefore, they are not the advised course of treatment for elderly people to tackle allergies, but you can still consult a health professional or pharmacist for their opinion. Instead, seek out other medications that are described as ‘non-drowsy’. Below are some of the alternatives that you could consider to treat your symptoms:
Nasal spray
Non-drowsy oral antihistamines
Antihistamine eye drops
Healthy diet
Air conditioning
Dehumidifier
Minimise exposure
Clean away any dust
Explore elderly care today
At Helping Hands, we offer bespoke elderly care that is tailored around your needs.
Our elderly care is high-quality, compassionate and tailored around you. We can support age-related frailties such as our mobility care which can help implement walking aids and stairlifts, and introduce light exercises to your daily routine. We can also support any conditions you may have such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cancer and strokes. Our dementia care plans specialise in the condition and focus on dementia-specific care like keeping the home dementia friendly. We can help with your personal care like washing, dressing and grooming so that you can continue your life as comfortably and dignified as possible. Whatever you need, our care for the elderly can support you from your own beloved home.
