Spring is here, but with the greener trees and bright flowers come plant allergens that cause everyday allergies. The most common allergens are from plants and trees, such as Oak, Ash, and Poplar allergens. As of April 2016, the most common tree allergen is from Oak trees and the highest pollen count was 11.5. Some people have lived with allergies all of their lives, others have developed them, and a few never have had allergies once in their lives, but what causes people to develop an allergy?

An allergy is the disorder of someone’s immune system that causes symptoms like sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, and a runny nose. Allergens stimulate these allergy-related symptoms. One of the most common allergies among a population is hay fever. Allergic reactions can also be caused by environmental or dietary factors, but the majority of people with allergies are mostly affected by airborne allergens, such as dust or pollen.

What causes an allergy?

An allergic reaction is dependent on the host and/or the environmental factors. If an allergy is dependent on the host, it most likely depends on a person’s genetics, whether they have inherited a disease or a congenital deficiency. On the other hand, if it’s dependent on the environmental factors, they are triggered when a person comes in contact with an infectious disease, an airborne allergen, pollution, or if they change their diet. Pollen allergies are most common in areas with large pollen producers, like flowers and trees.

This allergy season, people need to check to see what the pollen count for the day is and see what the weather will be like as well.

Check pollen.com for pollen counts and forecasts.