Sneak Attack

Lugging around a box of tissues is a clear sign of pollen-induced grief. But under-the-radar allergy symptoms can bring full-body misery. Enter our guide to spotting - and treating - them

- Richard Laliberte

Headaches, red eyes, drippy nose?

Yep, blame allergies. But – surprise! – other weird stuff happening in your body could also be caused by swirling pollen particles. “I see people all the time who have symptoms they don’t know are allergy related,” says allergist Dr Janna Tuck. Since the pollen season is lengthening and intensifying due to warmer temps, your suffering is likely to be nastier and longer than ever before. You can’t stop the impending pollen explosion, but with these pro tips, you can prevent side effects from ruining your spring.

- ITCHY EARS, MOUTH OR THROAT

Do you get a tingly sensation after eating certain fruits and veggies? If you’re a hay-fever sufferer, you’re likely experiencing oral allergy syndrome. The gist: your immune system can’t distinguish between the pollen proteins found in outdoor plants and similar ones in the contents of your veggie drawer. So, when you eat the offending food, your nasal and throat passages get riled up and run-of-the-mill seasonal allergy symptoms, like sneezing, can heighten too.

YOUR PLAN Note when the itching occurs to identify any foods that might be triggering a reaction and then avoid them – at least in raw form. You may not have to give them up entirely as cooking destroys allergen proteins. And sometimes you can prevent the itch just by removing the peel, where irritating proteins tend to concentrate.

- SWOLLEN EYELIDS