Sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes, and constant drainage can make everyday life exhausting when seasonal allergies hit. You don’t have to push through it alone: Dr. Ryan E. Stern, MD, our board-certified ENT, offers minimally invasive solutions to help you breathe easier.
Feeling Constantly Stuffed up for No Clear Reason?
Seasonal allergies happen when your immune system overreacts to things in the air, like pollen from trees, grasses, or weeds. When you breathe these in, your body treats them like a threat, triggering symptoms like sneezing, congestion, a runny nose, itchy eyes, and sinus pressure. These allergies tend to flare during certain times of year, particularly the spring and fall. In the Pacific Northwest, long pollen seasons and damp conditions can make symptoms last longer and feel more intense.
Signs & Symptoms of Seasonal Allergies
Seasonal allergies can show up in different ways, often building over time and affecting how you feel throughout the day.
Common signs and symptoms include:
- Frequent sneezing, especially in the morning
- Stuffy or congested nasal passages
- Runny nose with clear drainage
- Itchy, watery, or irritated eyes
- Post-nasal drip causing throat irritation
- Sinus pressure or facial discomfort
- Fatigue from poor sleep or constant symptoms
What Causes Seasonal Allergies?
Seasonal allergies start when your immune system reacts to airborne particles that enter through your nose and sinuses. In the Pacific Northwest, the nasal lining is constantly exposed to moisture, mold, and long pollen seasons, which can overstimulate these sensitive tissues and trigger ongoing inflammation and symptoms.
Common triggers in the Pacific Northwest include:
- Tree pollen released in early spring
- Grass pollen peaking in late spring and summer
- Weed pollen flaring in late summer and fall
- Mold spores thriving in damp, shaded environments
- Airborne allergens circulating during mild, windy days
Seasonal Allergies Treatment
Your consultation with Dr. Stern begins with a detailed discussion of your symptoms, seasonal patterns, and how inflammation is affecting your nasal passages and sinuses. He may perform a nasal endoscopy to examine the inside of your nose to assess turbinate swelling, mucus buildup, and airflow blockage. When needed, in-office allergy testing helps identify specific pollen or mold triggers in the Pacific Northwest, so treatment is based on clear causes.
Your treatment plan is based on what’s happening inside your nose. This may include prescription nasal sprays that reduce inflammation at the tissue level, medications that block histamine response, or allergy immunotherapy to retrain your immune system. If symptoms are driven by overactive nasal nerves, Dr. Stern may recommend minimally invasive procedures that target these pathways, helping reduce congestion and drainage with long-term relief.
Why Choose Dr. Stern?
Dr. Ryan E. Stern is a board-certified otolaryngologist with 25+ years of experience caring for patients in the Pacific Northwest. For nearly 30 years, he’s helped the community find relief using minimally invasive approaches whenever possible. Dr. Stern focuses on advanced, in-office treatments that can calm inflammation and improve breathing with less downtime than traditional surgery. If you are suffering from seasonal allergies, schedule a personalized consultation with Dr. Stern in Auburn or Federal Way, WA, to find relief.
