Seasonal Allergies: If your allergy symptoms are worse in some seasons than others, this means you probably are allergic to pollen.  Depending on where you live, your symptoms are probably worse in early spring to late summer.  This form of allergies is often referred to as hay fever, although it has nothing to do with hay or fever.

Year-Round Perennial Allergies: If your allergy symptoms do not change very much with seasons and are present year round, you are probably allergic to other allergens such as animal dander, dust mites, feathers or mold as well as pollen.

Common Allergens:

1. Pollens (the male fertilizing agent of plants):  The 3 sources of pollen are trees (cause 10% of allergies),  grasses ( causes 30%)  and ragweed (causes 60% of allergies).
2. Molds
3. Animal Dander
4. Dust Mites

Allergy: A sensitivity to an otherwise harmless substance

Allergic Rhinitis:  Literally "allergic rhinitis" means "inflammation of the nose," and is what we commonly refer to as a stuffy, runny nose associated with allergies.

Seasonal Allergies: Allergy symptoms that are related to the release of pollen from trees, grasses and ragweed.
 

Perennial Allergies: Allergy symptoms that occur year round.  These allergens are most often occur indoors such as dust mites, mold spores, pet dander and cockroaches.

Eczema:  Dry, itchy, non contagIous skin rash frequently caused by allergies

Hay Fever:  An allergic condition characterized by inflammation of the membranes of the eyes, nose, throat, and respiratory tract.  Accompanied by sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, and itching of the eyes, nose and throat. Hay Fever is actually "seasonal allergic rhinitis," which is the allergy symptoms people suffer from due to exposure to pollens from trees, grasses and ragweed.  It has nothing to do with Hay or Fever.

Histamine:  A body substance released by mast cells and basophils during allergic reactions that precipitates allergic symptoms.

Immune System:  The body's defense system, composed of specialized cells, organs, and body fluids.  It has the ability to locate, neutralize, metabolize, and eliminate unwanted or foreign substances.

Inhalant Allergens:  Any airborne substance small enough to be inhaled into the lungs such as pollen, dust, mold and animal danders.

Mast Cells:  Cells which contain packets of chemicals such as histamines

Mucous Membranes:  Moist tissues forming the lining of body cavities that have an external opening, such as the respiratory, digestive and urinary tracts.

Patch/Scratch Tests:  A form of skin testing in which suspected allergens are applied to the skin, covered, and observed for several days to see if a reaction occurs.  This is performed by medical practitioners.

Pollen:  The tiny spores of flowering plants.  Airborne pollen is a major allergen responsible for hay fever.

Postnasal drip:  The leakage of nasal fluids and mucus down into the back of the throat.

Sensitivity:  An adaptive state in which a person develops a group of adverse symptoms to the environment, 
either internal or external.

Urticaria: Hives or welts that could be caused by allergies