Summer Allergy Symptoms and Relief
THE TRUTH BEHIND SUMMER ALLERGIES AND HOW TO DEAL WITH THEM
A runny nose in the middle of summer? Can’t be. Stuffy nose and congestion? Are you kidding? You might think the end of spring means the end of allergies and discomfort, when really it just means a shift in symptoms you may experience. Summer allergies are a real thing, and if you’re affected by them, this article will help you understand what causes them and what you can do to keep them under control.
You know what to expect with spring allergies — budding trees full of pollen,causing itchy, watery eyes, nasal congestion and more. But while spring makes it way out and summer arrives, the conditions begin to change. As flowers, plants and grass grow, they add pollen to the summer air. 1
To make matters worse, the hot and humid summer weather also creates the perfect environment for mold to grow. Mold is a fungus that can live almost anywhere, both indoors and outdoors. It thrives in places like damp bathrooms, compost piles, or on rotting logs. When a mold source is disturbed, the seeds, known as spores, are released into the air, and inhaling these mold spores can aggravate allergies.2 Add all of this up, and it’s enough to make your summer a real bummer. For more information, check out our article, “The Fungus Among Us”.
IF YOU’RE NOT SURE WHETHER YOU HAVE A SUMMER COLD OR SUMMER ALLERGIES, HERE ARE A FEW THINGS TO CONSIDER:
Symptoms that last longer than 2 weeks are most likely allergies
Cold symptoms escalate: starting with a stuffy nose then comes sneezing, a runny nose, and thickening mucus
Itchy eyes and nose along with sneezing are usually the signs of allergies3
YOU CAN STILL SURVIVE SUMMER, EVEN IN THE MIDST OF THESE SYMPTOMS. HERE ARE A FEW TIPS TO HELP MINIM
Consult with your physician to receive the proper testing so you know exactly what causes your summer allergies.
Keep your doors and windows closed when the pollen and mold counts are high.
Change your air-conditioner filters. Changing the filters will help prevent the circulation of allergens that may have accumulated over time.
Frequently clean bed sheets. Bed sheets can be a hotspot for allergens. Keeping them clean can help reduce reactions to seasonal allergies.4
Though summer allergies are common, they are also diagnosable and treatable so you don’t have to lose your summer to another symptom.
Sources
1. Outdoor Allergens. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Website https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/library/allergy-library/outdoor-allergensAccessed October 6, 2016
2. Mold Allergy. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America Website http://www.aafa.org/page/mold-allergy.aspx Accessed October 6, 2016
3. Sudden Allergies: When A Summer Cold Is Much More. American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Website https://acaai.org/news/sudden-allergies-when-summer-cold-much-more Accessed October 6, 2016
4. Summer Doesn’t Necessarily Mean End of Allergies. Net Wellness Consumer Health information website. https://www.netwellness.org/healthtopics/ent/entallergies.cfm Accessed October 6, 2016
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