The spring and summer months are the most common times of the year when people experience allergy symptoms. However, it’s also possible for people to experience symptoms of seasonal allergies throughout the year.
Allergies are caused by a person’s immune system reacting to pollen granules from certain plants. This can lead to sneezing, itching, runny nose, watery eyes, and coughing fits.
Tree and grass pollen is the most common cause of allergy symptoms in the spring. In Wisconsin, the main trees that release allergens are hickory, ash, maple, oak, mulberry, and walnut.
Grass allergies are much more common during the summer months, with fescue, bent, orchard, ryegrass, and timothy grasses being the primary culprits. Grass pollen can be especially bad during late summer and up until the end of allergy season in Wisconsin.
Mold and weeds are also a cause of allergy symptoms in the fall. In Wisconsin, mold is a common allergen during the summer and early fall, with counts reaching over 1,000 spores per cubic meter.
Allergy season can last from late February to early November in Wisconsin, but if you’re looking for a break, winter is the ideal time. Despite this, indoor allergens like dust, mold, and pet dander can still cause symptoms throughout the winter.