Spring is in full swing, bringing with it spring allergies in April. For allergy sufferers, this period is associated with allergic reactions to various types of allergens, most notably pollen and molds. Trees, bushes, and flowers are in full bloom, bringing along with their alluring colors a lot of pollen. In this article, you will find out what blooms in April, what the most common allergens are, and how to protect yourself from allergies.
Symptoms of Spring Allergies in April
Among the most common symptoms of spring allergies in April are:
- Breathing difficulties,
- Shortness of breath,
- Runny nose,
- Stuffy nose,
- Cough,
- Itchy eyes and skin,
- Conjunctivitis, bronchitis, or respiratory tract inflammation,
- Skin rashes and atopic dermatitis.
TIP: How to recognize if you have an allergy?
Most Common Allergens in April
Let's find out in detail what blooms in April and what the most common allergens in April are. Because April is the main season of spring allergies, the allergens mainly include pollen from various plants, but dust mites and molds still pose a problem to allergy sufferers.
You might be interested: What allergies await you in May? Find out on the blog.
What Blooms in April
Did you know that some trees can start blooming as early as February and March? Of course, it depends on the current weather, but when it's warm, spring allergies can arrive early.
Trees Blooming in April
Tree pollens are quickly carried by the wind, and it can be difficult to defend against them. Not everyone allergic to pollen necessarily has an allergy to all pollens. Which trees and bushes bloom as early as March?
- Birch: Birch trees bloom the most in April and are among the most common pollen allergens. Additionally, if you are allergic to birch pollen, you are likely to experience allergic reactions to beech, oak, hazel, and alder pollen as well.
- Ash: Flowering ashes can release a large amount of pollen during April, which can cause allergic problems.
- Common Alder: Although common alder starts blooming at low temperatures as early as February, the flowering continues in April and may be stronger with the onset of spring.
- Poplar: Flowering poplars release a large amount of pollen during April. They generally bloom from March to May.
- Willow: Willows are other trees that bloom in April and are a common source of allergic problems. You can often find them near bodies of water and they bloom from March to May.
- Maple: Maples start blooming in April, when you can notice smaller yellow-green flowers blooming until May.
- Hazel: Hazel pollen is a moderate to strong allergen, and even though it can bloom as early as winter months under warm conditions, the flowering is more pronounced in April.
- Oak: Oaks bloom from late April to June. Oak pollen is not a strong allergen, but it can cross-react with birch pollen and together trigger allergies.
- Common Juniper: The yellow male flowers of common juniper start blooming at the end of April. You often come across it in gardens or parks.
- Yew: Yew, which is also often grown in gardens or parks, blooms from March. Interestingly, allergies are caused by the yellow male flowers.
- Conifers: Conifer pollen is not usually a strong allergen, but some conifers, such as firs, spruces, or pines, start blooming in April. However, conifers do not bloom every year, unlike broad-leaved trees, so they do not pose such a risk.
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Tip: Download the nanoSPACE pollen calendar in pdf and be prepared for the pollen season.
Flowers and Weeds Blooming in April
Meadows are full of dandelions, daisies, and ribleaf starts blooming as well in April. These meadow flowers are pollinated by the wind, so their pollen reaches even greater distances. In April, ox-eye daisy, garlic, clover, burdocks, and fescue also bloom. Grasses have their main season in May, but grass pollen grains often appear as early as April.
Tip: How to fight pollen allergy in spring?
Molds in April
Molds thrive in damp and dark places, such as basements, bathrooms, or poorly ventilated areas. They also proliferate outdoors on damp wood, in leaves, or in soil. April is the month when rain, together with warm weather, creates ideal conditions for their growth, so there are also many more mold spores in the air. Mold allergy involves similar symptoms as pollen allergy. Read how to get rid of molds at home.
Dust Mites Are Always With Us
Dust mites are with us all year round. They thrive best in the winter when the heating season is in full swing and it's also humid at home because it's less ventilated. To protect yourself from dust mites, get anti-dust mite bedding with a nanofiber membrane. Nanofiber acts as a protective barrier that prevents them from getting into and settling in your bed. Available are anti-dust mite pillows, duvets, mattress covers, and bed linen that every allergy sufferer will appreciate.
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Tip: How to choose the best pillow for an allergic person?
What Helps with Spring Allergies in April
Since April is the worst and most intense month of spring allergies, we have a few principles for you to follow as allergy sufferers.
- Follow the pollen calendar: In each period, something else is the main allergen for allergy sufferers. In spring, it's tree pollen, in summer, grasses and insects, all year round molds and dust mites. By monitoring current allergens through the pollen calendar, you can avoid critical areas.
- Use protective gear during the worst pollen season: Limiting outdoor activities is one option, but who wants to be locked at home when it's spring and finally nice outside. To be able to enjoy outdoor activities, use respirators, nano face masks, or nano neck gaiters that will protect you even when pollen is rampant.
- Personal air purifier: If you don't want to wear respiratory protection, a great solution is a personal air purifier on your neck, which can easily clean the air in your immediate surroundings. But beware, it won't help much when it's windy.
- Nasal protective spray: Did you know that there are nasal sprays that create a protective barrier on the nasal mucosa, preventing allergens from getting into your body? This can prevent allergens from entering your body and thus avoid allergic symptoms.
- Allergy eye drops: Because after the nose, the eyes are the next most vulnerable area, you will appreciate eye drops that help reduce irritation of the mucous membrane.
- Home without allergens: Frequently dust at home, which also contains pollen, use air purifiers for allergy sufferers at home, frequently wash bed linen, and ventilate. By doing so, you reduce the amount of allergens (pollen, dust mites, dust, molds) in your environment, where you spend most of your time.
TIP: How to prepare for allergy season?
Treatment of Allergies and Immunotherapy
Treatment for allergies may involve effective medications such as antihistamines prescribed by your allergist. However, if you don't want to deal with allergies through pills, another option is immunotherapy. This is often called allergen immunotherapy (AIT) and involves the systematic administration of small doses of the allergen that triggers allergic reactions, with the aim of gradually increasing the body's tolerance to that allergen. The doses of the allergen are gradually increased until a tolerance reaction is achieved. This way, immunotherapy can lead to a reduction in the severity of allergic symptoms or even complete elimination of allergic problems.
Learn More About Allergies:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When does grass allergy start?
About half of people with pollen allergies have grass allergies. Grasses bloom most from May to July, but their pollen grains often get into the air as early as April.
How to know if I have an allergy?
Allergies can be difficult to recognize because allergic symptoms are similar to respiratory illnesses such as rhinitis, cough, stuffy nose, and others. If any of the typical allergy symptoms persist long-term and worsen with exposure to common allergens, it is likely an allergy. Confirmation can be obtained from an allergist who performs tests to determine exactly what you are allergic to.
What are the allergens in April?
The most common allergens in April include pollen, dust mites, and molds. Because April is still the heating season, dust mite allergy may be somewhat worse. It is important to avoid allergens, regularly maintain a clean home, and environment where we spend most of our time.
What blooms in April?
Spring brings pollen and allergic reactions for allergy sufferers. Trees such as birch, alder, poplar, oak, willow, hazel, maple, juniper, ash, and some conifers such as fir, spruce, and pine bloom in April. From herbs and flowers, dandelions, ribleaf, daisies, burdocks, and others bloom in April.
How long does spring allergy last?
In spring, most deciduous and coniferous trees bloom, along with many shrubs, flowers, and other plants. Some start blooming as early as winter months, but most of them bloom during March and April and last until approximately June. However, even during the summer months, many plants bloom, until around September.
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