Can you recognize when your allergies have flared up? For some, it's not always easy to tell a reaction to the outdoors from the common cold. Dr. Giselle Mosnaim, NorthShore Allergist, addressed many some of these issues about seasonal allergy symptoms in an online chat, and now breaks down the ins and outs of allergy symptoms, and what you can do about them. 

Click the symptoms listed below to learn more:

Headaches | Red & Itchy Eyes | Stuffy & Runny Nose | Sneezing | Sore Throat | 

Headaches
Sinus headaches are often described as a feeling of facial pressure and head congestion. 
What triggers this?
Increased mucus production and swelling of the sinus passages impairs drainage, leading to a sensation of head fullness.
What can help to relieve this symptom?
Intranasal steroid sprays, sinus rinses and oral nasal decongestant tablets can help.
What preventative steps can someone take to slow/halt this symptom?
To prevent sinus headaches, it is important to start taking daily allergy medications 2 weeks before and continue their regular use during allergy season.
Any non-medical forms of relief?
Sinus rinses can help to provide relief.

Red & Itchy Eyes
Itchy eyes can feel like having sand stuck in your eyes.
What triggers it?
It is often triggered by exposure to tree, grass or weed pollens.
What can help to relieve this symptom?
Prescription allergy eye drops, over-the-counter allergy eye drops and preservative-free artificial tears can help to relieve itchy, red, watery eyes.
What preventative steps can someone take to slow/halt this symptom?
It is important to start medication for allergic eye symptoms two weeks before allergy season starts, and continue them regularly during the season.
Any non-medical forms of relief?
Preservative-free artificial tears can provide relief by washing out the pollen from your eyes.

Stuffy & Runny Nose
A runny nose is often described as having a leaky faucet, while a stuffy nose is sensation of not being able to breathe through your nose.
What triggers it?
A runny and/or stuffy nose can be triggered by both indoor and outdoor allergens.
What can help to relieve this symptom?
Decongestant tablets can help alleviate a stuffy nose, antihistamine tablets can relieve runny nose, and intranasal steroid sprays and intranasal antihistamine sprays can help to reduce both symptoms.
What preventative steps can someone take to slow/halt this symptom?
Starting to take allergy medications two weeks before the season starts and continuing regular use during the season can help to prevent runny and stuffy nose.
Any non-medical forms of relief?
Allergy avoidance measures (such as keeping the windows closed during allergy season) and sinus rinses can help to provide relief.

Sneezing 
Sneezing can be very bothersome, especially if you frequently sneeze multiple times in a row.
What triggers it?
It can be triggered by production of histamine in your nose.
What can help to relieve this symptom?
Oral antihistamine tablets and intranasal steroid and intranasal antihistamine sprays can help to relieve sneezing.
What preventative steps can someone take to slow/halt this symptom?
Starting to take allergy medication two weeks prior to allergy season and during allergy season can reduce sneezing.
Any non-medical forms of relief?
Allergy avoidance measures and sinus rinses can help to reduce sneezing.

Sore Throat
A sore throat can feel dry and/or as if something is stuck in the back of your throat, and you are unable to clear it.
What triggers it?
Sore throat is often caused by a runny nose dripping down the back of your throat (also known as post-nasal drip) and nasal congestion leading to snoring, mouth breathing and a dry throat.
What can help to relieve this symptom?
Intranasal steroid sprays and intranasal antihistamine sprays can help reduce sore throat.
What preventative steps can someone take to slow/halt this symptom?
Starting to take allergy medications two weeks before allergy season starts, and continuing to take allergy medications regularly during the allergy season, can help.
Any non-medical forms of relief?
Avoidance of allergens and sinus rinses can reduce sore throat.