Allergies Attack! The 6 Worst Offenders to Watch for This Summer

Spring is traditionally associated with allergies because of the abundance of plants blooming at that time.

However, summer brings plenty of its own allergens along with the warm temperatures. Pollen and mold spores are the two most common summer allergens. When these substances get into people’s eyes and noses, they can prompt the immune system to overreact.

In people with allergies, the immune system detects pollen, mold spores, or other allergens as foreign invaders, and releases antibodies, which the immune system normally unleashes on viruses, bacteria, and other disease-causing microorganisms. When antibodies go into attack mode against allergens, histamine and other chemicals are released into the blood and the results include itchy eyes, runny noses, sneezing and coughing.

By the first day of summer, trees have usually finished pollinating, but grasses and weeds haven’t, and they’re the sources of many summer allergies. Here are the 6 worst offenders to be aware of if you are prone to summer allergies.

1. Weeds

Weed pollen can leave you with itchy, watery eyes, and sneezing, and some of the worst offenders include:

• Mugwort
• Plantains
• Nettles
• Docks
• Cockleweed
• Ragweed
• Pigweed
• Thistles
• Sagebrush
• Tumbleweed

2. Wind-Pollinated Flowers

Many summer flowers are wind-pollinated, and when you get in the path of that pollen, you can end up with an allergy attack. The daisy family is one of the most common sources of wind-pollinated flower allergies. Wind-pollinated plants have male flowers that produce copious amounts of pollen that’s carried on the wind. These plants most often release pollen in the morning. If you do yard work early to avoid the heat, consider wearing a face mask. It’s also a good idea to shower and change clothes afterward to rinse off pollen that may have become attached to your body and clothing.

3. Spores

Spores are produced by molds (like the ones found in compost heaps) and fungi like mushrooms, and they can cause misery for those allergic to them. Spores are exceptionally tiny, very light, and are easily inhaled into the lungs. They tend to rise upward as the day warms, and fall back down as twilight approaches and temperatures cool.

4. Air Pollution

Summer air pollution can cause allergy symptoms too. One common summer pollutant is ozone, created in the atmosphere by hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxide, and sunlight. High levels of ozone are created when the sunlight is strong and winds are calm, because in those conditions, the ozone isn’t blown away. Ozone and other air pollutants can worsen allergy symptoms.

5. Insects

Plants aren’t the only summer allergens. Bees, hornets, wasps, fire ants, and other insects can cause allergic reactions from stings or bites. In most people, stings are a minor annoyance, only affecting the immediate area around the sting. However, some people have serious, widespread allergic reactions to stings and bites that can be dangerous. If this is you, see your doctor before summer so you can be prepared.

6. Indoor Allergens

Indoor allergens don’t go away during summer. Molds, for example, thrive in damp areas like bathrooms. Spores are created and inhaled, causing allergy symptoms in susceptible people. Likewise, dust mites remain common in homes throughout summer, making their homes in fabrics, carpets, beds, and other soft surfaces. Dust mite residue can be picked up by the air, and once it makes its way into the allergy-prone person’s nose, the result can be classic allergy symptoms of runny eyes and nose, sneezing, and wheezing.

Summer Cold or Allergies?

Sometimes it’s hard to tell if you’re experiencing a summer cold or summer allergies, because the symptoms are very similar. However, there are several ways you can distinguish between the two, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology:

• When symptoms last for two weeks or more, the cause is most likely allergies, because colds usually resolve in about a week.
• If symptoms start mildly and then escalate, with a stuffy nose preceding throat irritation, and a runny nose with thickening mucus, you probably have a summer cold.
• While yellow or green mucus from your nose is more commonly associated with colds, it can also develop with allergies.
• If your eyes, throat, and nose feel itchy and you’re sneezing a lot, then you probably are suffering from allergies. This is particularly true if you have asthma.

Avoiding Summer Allergy Triggers

Pollen can travel for several miles, so you could be affected by plants from several blocks away from you. The higher the pollen count, the higher the chance you’ll experience allergy symptoms. Weather websites usually have daily pollen count information that you can refer to if you’re planning to be outdoors. Here are some other tips for avoiding summer allergies:

• Stay inside when the pollen count is high
• Use an air purifier and keep doors and windows shut
• Clean or replace your air conditioner’s air filters once a month
• Clean off bookshelves, vents, and other surfaces where pollen can collect
• Use hot water to wash rugs and bedding to help get rid of dust mite residue
• Vacuum your home frequently with a vacuum containing a HEPA filter
• Wear a face mask when you mow to keep grass pollen out of your nose
• Keeping the humidity in your home between 30% and 50% helps prevent dust mites from thriving

Medications for Summer Allergies

For those who do not suffer serious reactions to insect bites and stings, you can apply ice to reduce swelling. Gently remove the stinger with tweezers if you find it. Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help relieve pain if you need it. Topical hydrocortisone and calamine applied to the affected areas can also provide relief. If you have itching, over-the-counter antihistamines like Benadryl can help.

If you experience summertime nasal allergy symptoms, you can often find relief with over-the-counter medications like

• Antihistamines
• Oral decongestant medications
• Decongestant nasal sprays (which should only be used for up to 3 days)

Some allergy sufferers require prescription allergy medications for relief, including

• Corticosteroid nasal sprays like Nasacort, Flonase, or Nasonex
• Leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs) like Singlair
• Prescription eye drops like Patanol
• Allergy shots

eDrugstore.com dispenses corticosteroid nasal sprays including Nasacort, Flonase, and Nasonex, and Patanol, which are allergy relief eye drops, so you can get quick relief from summer allergy symptoms. eDrugstore.com often ships orders the day they’re placed and uses fast, reliable shippers like Fedex. With eDrugstore.com, you can be assured of privacy, an outstanding customer experience, and the highest level of online ordering security.