Seasonal Allergies (Hay Fever) Care for Children and Adults
Seasonal allergies can make everyday life miserable—sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes, throat irritation, post-nasal drip, and fatigue can affect sleep, school, work, and exercise. At Praana Center for Asthma and Allergy, we help children and adults identify triggers and build a treatment plan that provides real, lasting relief.
We are located in Willowbrook, IL, and frequently care for patients from Hinsdale, Clarendon Hills, Oak Brook, Downers Grove, and surrounding suburbs.
Common Seasonal Allergy Symptoms
Seasonal allergies can look like a cold, but symptoms often persist or recur at the same time each year. Common symptoms include:
Sneezing and nasal congestion
Runny nose or post-nasal drip
Itchy or watery eyes
Itchy nose or throat
Cough (often from drainage)
Fatigue and poor sleep
Wheezing or shortness of breath in patients with asthma
If you have chest symptoms—especially cough, wheeze, or exercise limitation—your allergies may be contributing to asthma flare-ups and should be evaluated.
What Triggers Seasonal Allergies?
Seasonal symptoms are typically triggered by airborne allergens such as pollen and outdoor mold. In our area, common patterns include:
Tree pollen (often spring)
Grass pollen (often early/mid-summer)
Ragweed (often late summer/fall)
Outdoor mold (often fall, and during damp conditions)
Some people also have year-round (perennial) allergies, such as dust mites or pet dander, which can overlap with seasonal symptoms.
Allergy Testing: How We Identify Your Triggers
Accurate diagnosis matters—many patients spend years trying different over-the-counter products without knowing what is actually triggering symptoms.
Depending on your history and your skin condition, testing may include:
Skin Testing (In-Office)
Skin testing provides rapid results and helps identify environmental allergy triggers. Testing is performed in a controlled medical setting.
Blood Testing (When Appropriate)
Blood testing may be recommended when skin testing is not ideal—for example, in patients with significant eczema or other skin conditions, or when medication use affects skin test reliability.
We will also review medications that can interfere with testing, so results are as accurate as possible.
Seasonal Allergy Treatment Options
Treatment is individualized based on symptom severity, triggers, and how symptoms impact daily life. Your plan may include oral antihistamines, steroid and antihistamines nasal sprays, eye drops, leukotriene antagonists. These are only temporary measures that will give you some relief for that season.
A more permanent, lasting, natural solution that only an allergist can do is Allergen Immunotherapy.
Immunotherapy uses natural extracts of allergens that you are allergic to, that are injected subcutaneously weekly during the build up phase then, monthly for the maintenance phase, building your own immunity for protection against allergens.
It has been around for 70 years and lasted the test of time. It is the most effective treatment of seasonal and perennial allergies and allergic asthma.
Practical Ways to Reduce Exposure
Small habits can reduce daily allergen exposure during high seasons:
Keep windows closed at home and in the car during high pollen days
Shower and wash hair after being outdoors (especially before bed)
Change clothes after outdoor time
Avoid yardwork that stirs up pollen or mold (or wear a mask)
Use air conditioning and consider HEPA filtration if symptoms are significant
When Should You See an Allergist?
Consider scheduling an appointment if:
Symptoms last longer than 2–3 weeks or recur every season
Over-the-counter medications aren’t helping (or cause side effects)
You have frequent sinus infections or persistent post-nasal drip
Allergies trigger cough, wheeze, or asthma symptoms
You want a long-term plan rather than repeating the same cycle each year
Serving Hinsdale, Oakbrook, Burr Ridge and Nearby Suburbs
Our office is located in Willowbrook, IL, and we welcome patients from Hinsdale, Oakbrook, Burr Ridge, Westmont and surrounding communities who are looking for expert seasonal allergy evaluation and treatment.