Summer Allergies: Can You Get Allergies in the Summer?
Unfortunately, seasonal allergies can occur during early summer, late summer and even year-round.1 If you’re struggling with summer allergies, learn how to find relief from your symptoms with this guide.
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 the type of allergens in the air.1 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.
WHAT CAUSES SUMMER ALLERGIES?
You know what to expect with spring allergies—budding trees full of pollen, itchy eyes, a stuffy nose and more.1 But while spring makes its way out and summer arrives, the conditions begin to change. As trees, weeds and grass grow, they add pollen to the summer air.1
To make matters worse, the hot and humid summer weather also creates a suitable environment for mold to grow.2 Mold is a fungus that can live almost anywhere, both indoors and outdoors.2 It thrives in places like damp bathrooms, compost piles or on rotting logs.2 Much like pollen, mold releases its spores into the air, and inhaling these mold spores can aggravate allergies.1,2 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”.
DO I HAVE SUMMER ALLERGIES OR A COLD?
Cold symptoms and summer allergy symptoms often mirror each other, making it hard to tell what you’re suffering from.3 Here are some tips to help you decipher between the two:3
Symptoms that last longer than 2 weeks are most likely allergies.
Cold symptoms escalate; starting with a stuffy nose that then becomes sneezing, a runny nose, and thickening mucus.
Itchy eyes and nose along with sneezing are usually the signs of allergies.
MINIMIZE SUMMER ALLERGY SYTMPTOMS WITH THESE TIPS
If you’re dealing with allergies over the summer, don’t let your allergies stop you from enjoying the season. Use these tips:4
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.
Remove clothes that you’ve worn outside and shower after exposure to pollen.4
Though summer allergies are common, they are also diagnosable and treatable, so you don’t have to lose your summer to another symptom.
Source Citations:
1. Outdoor Allergens. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. https://www.aaaai.org/tools-for-the-public/conditions-library/allergies/outdoor-allergens-ttr. Accessed 8/15/24.
2. Mold Allergy. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. 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. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/06/130611111511.htm. Accessed 10/6/16.
4. Seasonal allergies: Nip them in the bud. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hay-fever/in-depth/seasonal-allergies/art-20048343. Accessed 8/15/24.
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