Spring is over, but you are still stuffed up, sniffy, and sneezing. Welcome to summer allergy season. It keeps going long after April’s showers and May’s flowers are gone. Whether you have indoor allergies to dust and mold or hay fever caused by pollen, allergy symptoms can be equally miserable in the summer as any time other time of the year. Although there is no cure for most allergies, the situation is far from hopeless. Many of the same triggers are to blame. Once you know what they are, you can take steps to get treated.
In this article, we will go over what causes summer allergies, and different ways to combat them so that you can spend your time enjoying your summer rather than next to a box of tissues.
What causes summer allergies?
Pollen – Pollen is the main culprit when it comes to allergies. However, trees are usually done littering the air with their pollen by late spring. That leaves grasses and weeds as the triggers for summer allergies. The exact type of plant to blame varies by location. However, ragweed is one of the most common summer allergy triggers. It can travel for hundreds of miles on the wind. So even if it doesn’t grow where you live, it can make you feel bad if you’re allergic to it.
Smog – Summer air pollution can make your symptoms worse. One of the most common is ozone at the ground level. It’s created in the atmosphere from a mix of sunlight and chemicals from car exhaust. Summer’s strong sunlight and calm winds create clouds of ozone around some cities.
Insects – Critters that sting can be more active in the summer. Bees, wasps, yellow jackets, hornets, fire ants, and other insects can cause allergic reactions when they sting. If you have a severe allergy, a run-in with one of them can lead to a potentially life-threatening situation. Most insect bites usually cause mild symptoms, like itching and swelling around the area of the bite or sting. Sometimes they lead to a severe allergic reaction however, causing your throat and tongue to swell. You could feel dizzy, nauseated, or go into shock. This is an emergency, and you’ll need to get medical help right away.
Mold – Molds love damp areas, including basements and bathrooms. Their spores get into the air and set off an allergic reaction. Along with mold, microscopic insects called dust mites peak during summer. They thrive in warm, humid temperatures and nest in beds, fabric, and carpets. Their residue can get into the air and set off sneezes, wheezes, and runny noses.
Symptoms
The season may be different but the symptoms are the same all year round. The most common allergy symptoms include:
- Runny nose
- Watery eyes
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Itchy eyes and nose
- Dark circles under your eyes
Coping with Allergies
So what can you do when allergies are hitting you? Here, the best ways to survive the season:
Determine if it’s really allergies – The sudden swing from cool to warm weather can make it hard to tell an allergic reaction from a cold or virus, particularly if you don’t usually get seasonal allergies. Suspect allergies if your congestion lasts for more than two weeks; if your eyes, nose, and the top of your mouth itch; if your mucus is thin and clear; or if your symptoms seem to get worse after you’re exposed to triggers, such as spending a day at the park or running outside. The absence of fever and aches is another clue it’s probably allergies and not a cold or other virus.
Head to your drugstore for symptom relief – Your go-to meds may not work as well this year if your symptoms are worse, so you may need to experiment with other kinds, or use multiple drugs, to get relief. Over-the-counter decongestants will help relieve a stuffy nose; antihistamines can tackle sniffles and itching. If you take the indicated dosage and it doesn’t work, it may be that your individual metabolism is a mismatch for that particular medication. Try switching to other brands and types until you find the right fit and combination. If you’re really suffering, see an allergist who can prescribe medications that are longer-acting and non-sedating. And if your allergies are severe, consider getting immunotherapy shots for long-term relief.
Try salt water – Not a fan of the way many allergy meds make you feel tired and foggy? Try a saline nasal rinse, which helps clear allergens like pollen from your nasal membranes, minimizing symptoms. Gargling with salt water can soothe a sore or scratchy throat. Do this once or twice a day throughout allergy season to ease congestion.
Change clothes as you get home – Don’t drag allergens throughout your home, where they’ll continue to cause your symptoms to act up. Remove your shoes outside the door and throw your clothes in the hamper and change into something else. Shower at night to wash off any lingering pollen from your body and hair before you get into bed. Have a dog or outdoor cat? Wipe their paws and fur when they enter your home too, since pollen can cling to them.
Workout indoors – Check pollen counts in the morning and try to stay indoors when they’re high. This may mean trading your daily neighborhood stroll for a treadmill at the gym or an exercise DVD in your living room. Pollen tends to be highest in the mid- to late-afternoon, so try to run errands first thing in the morning or after work instead of during your lunch break.
Get window savvy – If you’re allergic to pollen, keep your windows closed and run an air conditioner. On the other hand, if you’re allergic to indoor allergies like mold and dust, throw the windows open and let in the fresh air, which can help clear allergens from your home.
Take allergy symptoms seriously – You may brush off your nasal congestion or lingering headache as “just allergies,” but the truth is that allergy symptoms can take a big toll on your well-being. If you feel totally lousy, give in to your body: Rest, go to bed early, take a sick day. Overdoing it and running around when you feel awful will only make you feel worse.
Allergies can be rough, and when you don’t know how to correctly handle them, they can be dreadful and ruin your summer. However, with these facts and tips, we hope that you can kick allergies to the curb and go back to enjoying your summer.
