Yes, Rain Can Make Your Allergies Worse

Posted: April 14, 2022 3:00 am

The weather may not be all that pleasant and could even cause some people to experience allergic reactions, but it may be worse if you suffer from a seasonal allergy. According to the National Science Foundation, spring, summer, and fall tend to see the most severe hay fever outbreaks in many parts of the world, mostly due to rainfall.

This article discusses how rain can make your allergies worse for those with seasonal allergies.

What is a rain allergy?

Allergies are the body’s overreaction to certain substances it perceives as potentially harmful, and one of these substances is humidity. When the humidity level rises too high for an individual prone to allergies, their body starts fighting against this substance. It creates allergic reactions such as sneezing, runny noses, watery eyes, wheezing, and itching.

How Rain Can Worsen Your Allergies

Since the weather during spring, summer, and fall can be more humid than usual, this can lead to greater problems for those who already have allergies. Several factors contribute to the increased risk for rain-induced allergies:

  1. Wind. When rain hits a dry surface, it creates large amounts of humidity that lingers for hours after it has stopped. This increase in humidity combined with allergens from pollen in the air can cause even more trouble for people with seasonal allergies. It is not unusual to see the pollen count going up after a rainstorm because of the wind that causes dry vegetation to stir.
  2. Precipitation
    Depending on the year, allergens introduced during windy days can cause more severe reactions. It can be especially problematic for those who have hay fever brought on by grasses. Rain can also carry these grasses with it, and they are easily distributed in the air. That alone could cause an allergic reaction, but then add raindrops to the mix, and you have an extremely potent mixture of pollen and precipitation that can aggravate some allergies in their most severe form.
  3. Pollen
    Plants release their pollen into the air weeks before much even bloom. Rain is a great way for raindrops to disperse this pollen into the air, which could cause a reaction days later. To worsen matters further, pollen that never made it to plant life is picked up by raindrops and sent skyward again. The humidity and winds in the rain can help this process and cause a stronger reaction or even anaphylactic shock.
  4. Raindrops
    The number of pollen particles released from the pollen plants during a rainstorm will be much more than usual, which means that the amount of allergens carried by rain is amplified. Also, when rain hits a dry surface, it creates particulates in its path, which can get into the lungs of some people with seasonal allergies.
  5. Vapors.
    Vapor particles from plants can also remain in the air for up to 48 hours after the rain has stopped. The vapor particles are so small and will not be washed away by precipitation; these are also microscopic particles that you cannot see from any distance. These vapors can stay suspended in the air for a long time, which means you could be exposed to allergens for longer than usual.

Symptoms of Rain Allergies

Some symptoms are associated with an allergy caused by rain:

  1. Increase in allergies
    When rain hits and the pollen count goes up, many people who have allergies to plants such as grasses will experience greater allergic reactions than usual. For this reason, a higher number of people may go to the doctor for their seasonal allergies in the spring and summer months, and those who already have hay fever could see it getting worse at this time.
  2. worse Reactions
    The rain can have a cumulative effect on the allergies of some people with seasonal allergies, making their reactions worse over time. The reaction to allergens may not get significantly better, even if you avoid areas where you know there is a high concentration of allergens.
  3. Long-lasting reactions
    Rain can cause reactions that last for up to four days after it has stopped raining, especially if there is a significant amount of pollen or high moisture in the air.
  4. Respiratory problems
    Allergies in the respiratory system can cause irritation and swelling, leading to congestion, which may be worsened by rain. Breathing in high levels of pollen during a rainstorm may also cause more asthma attacks in people who suffer from seasonal allergies, leading to hospitalization.
  5. Shock
    Those prone to more severe allergies like anaphylaxis could find that their reactions get worse after it has rained, which could be deadly for them if not treated right away.
  6. Exacerbation of other allergies
    When it has rained, food allergies could also be made worse by exposure to allergens that are in the air.

How to Minimize Allergy Symptoms in the Rain

It may not be possible to avoid rain during seasons when your allergies are at their peak, but there are some steps you can take to minimize your symptoms. They include:
• Plan Your Activities Around the Weather – If it is raining and you plan to play in the yard with your children or go for a run, it is good to do so early in the morning when pollen counts are lowest, and allergy sufferers have their energy levels up.

• Wear a Mask – This can help filter out the pollen particles in the air that cause an allergic reaction.

• Protect Your Skin Against Irritants – If you have to go outside, wear clothing made of natural fabrics or cover yourself with a waterproof layer such as a raincoat or umbrella. Synthetic fabrics can trap moisture and irritate your skin.

• Stay Ventilated – If you are outdoors and it is raining, stay covered with a dry raincoat or umbrella so that the moisture does not accumulate on your skin.

• Pant for Safety – It is best to stay inside during showers or heavy rains so that the pollen particles do not settle on your skin and cause an allergic reaction.

Ways of Treating Rain Allergies

There are several different ways to treat your allergies if you have them aggravated by rain:

  1. Over-the-counter medications – An antihistamine is the best way to combat the symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as itching and congestion.
  2. Allergy shots are administered by a doctor and can help lessen your reaction in the long run by lowering your sensitivity to allergens.
  3. Seek professional help – If your symptoms do not go away or are too severe, it is important to talk to a doctor about treatment options that might be available for you.
  4. Homeopathic Medicines
    If you’re susceptible to seasonal allergies, keep homeopathic substances in your medicine cabinet. These substances will help you deal with many of the symptoms of seasonal allergies brought on by rain.
  5. Wear protective clothing
    Wear a hat or goggles when it is raining to protect your face from pollen particles in the air; this will help minimize allergic reactions and keep you from getting sick.

It is not uncommon for people to experience increased allergic reactions in the spring and summer months due to the greater amount of rain that occurs during these times.

Those who are prone to allergies, in general, may find that the pollen count is higher during these seasons, which means that they will have a harder time avoiding allergens and will likely have more severe reactions. A person with seasonal allergies may want to consider avoiding being outside when it has recently rained or a high pollen count in the air.