While few people think of dust mites when they think of seasonal allergies, the fact is these microscopic allergen-creators do follow a seasonal pattern. As winter comes to an end and the amount of moisture in the air (humidity) increases, dust mite populations can become more active and more of a problem for allergy sufferers. While the dust mite season varies by location, you can generally expect more dust mite allergens in your home once you turn off the heat at the end of winter.

In the end, the only allergy season that matters is the one for the allergen that affects you, where you are, today. Pay attention to local pollen counts, which are largely determined by weather conditions (wind currents, humidity, and rainfall). Pollen counts are typically lower on cold, wet days and higher on warm, windy days. Also, pollen tends to be at its highest in the morning and lowest in the afternoon.

You may still need medications to control your symptoms, of course, but if you plan your outdoor activities well, you can enjoy more fresh air with less sneezing!

Discuss how allergy season affects you on the Allergy Message Board.