When you think you are done with spring allergies, summer allergies arrive to cause more discomfort. Summer allergies occur from June through September, with symptoms peaking in June and July. Read on to learn what causes summer allergies and how to eliminate them with the best allergy medicine.
What causes summer allergies?
During summer, more people head outdoors to garden, entertain in the backyard, and enjoy cycling, camping, and hiking. Common allergens, such as mold and ragweed pollen, are also active at this time of the year.
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Tree pollen
Tree pollen thrives during warm days and cold nights. Depending on your location and the number and types of trees nearby, tree pollen levels are high during summer days.
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Grass pollen
Grasses, which are present almost everywhere, are the most common triggers of summer allergies. A grass allergy is when an individual experiences allergic rhinitis (hay fever) or asthma symptoms. Grass allergy can trigger allergic rhinitis, causing itchy eyes, throat irritation, a runny nose, and sneezing.
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Mold
Outdoor molds are also considered a contributing factor in summer allergies. However, they are certainly year-round allergens, but are strongest during the summer for various reasons, including humidity and moisture from condensation. Certain mold spores are more likely to spread in windy weather, while others are more likely to develop in high humidity, such as fog.
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Mugwort
This perennial plant produces large amounts of wind-borne pollen, which is severely allergenic. During the summer, mugwort pollen is a major trigger of allergic reactions.
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Ragweed
Ragweed is another culprit for summer allergies. The plant is common across most of the United States and can produce as many as 1 billion tiny pollen grains, which spread easily.
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Nettle
This plant has nettle hairs on its flowers and leaves that can cause an allergic reaction when people come into contact with the plant or mistakenly inhale its pollen.
Summer vegetables and fruits
Some people are allergic to pollen and certain foods with proteins similar to those in allergens (weeds and grasses) that trigger allergies. Develop the short-term sensation of tingling lips. Swelling of the mouth or an itchy throat, whenever you eat a summer fruit or raw vegetable, may develop a pollen food allergy syndrome (also called oral allergy syndrome). If the symptoms are progressive or you experience food allergies that affect your mouth, speak to your doctor to determine whether a more serious food allergy is possible. Your doctor may recommend a medication for food allergies to help ease your symptoms.
About Pollen Food Allergy Syndrome
In people with food allergy syndrome, their immune system identifies cross-reacting allergens in pollen, raw fruits, tree nuts, and vegetables. In such cases, the body responds with a mild allergic reaction, usually characterised by an itchy mouth, throat irritation, and swelling of the mouth, lips, tongue, and throat. Some people also experience itchy ears and hives in the mouth.
People with grass pollen allergies may react to melons, peaches, oranges, tomatoes, and celery. People with ragweed pollen allergies may react to cucumbers, melons, bananas, Zucchini, and sunflower seeds. Not everyone with pollen allergies reacts to raw vegetables and fruits.
Many people with Pollen food allergy syndrome develop short-term symptoms and do not require treatment. But those with reactions to raw vegetables and fruits with symptoms not only limited to the mouth area are at high risk of anaphylaxis. Speak to your doctor if you have any questions about pollen-food allergy syndrome or medication for food allergy. Anti-allergic drugs help eliminate allergy symptoms, allowing you to enjoy your food without fear. Food allergies are common in children; if a child shows signs of a food allergy, talk to a paediatrician about the best allergy medication for kids.
Common symptoms of summer allergy symptoms
Common symptoms of pollen and other allergen-triggered allergies can mimic cold-like symptoms. The symptoms include watery, itchy eyes; nasal congestion; sneezing; and a runny nose. An allergic reaction does not always cause fever, while a cold can be mild, especially in children. An allergic reaction usually lasts as long as an individual remains exposed to the allergen, whereas a cold persists for 1 to 2 weeks. Some people experience symptoms during one season, while others react to allergens year-round. Additionally, symptoms will vary depending on which allergens are prevalent in your geographic area. Plants produce pollen in response to weather conditions, such as temperature and rainfall.
Management of summer allergies
The good news is you can take preventive measures to improve allergic symptoms. These tips can help you manage summer allergies:
- Limit contact with outdoor allergens
- Make sure you wear a mask and full-sleeved clothing.
- Be sure to take a shower after finishing an outdoor activity.
- Take an antihistamine. Your doctor may suggest the best eye drops for allergies, such as bacterial conjunctivitis. Fexofenadine and loratadine help relieve allergy symptoms in the eyes. Levocetirizine is an effective anti-allergy medicine for the skin used to ease symptoms such as itching, burning, redness, rash, bumps, hives, and swelling.
- Speak to your healthcare specialist about treatment options.
Relieve summer allergy with allergy medicines!
If you cannot avoid pollen, anti-allergy medication may help reduce symptoms. Well, the best allergy medicines are antihistamines such as cetirizine, hydroxyzine, loratadine and more. Check out the best anti-allergy medication available on AllDayChemist at affordable prices. Anti-allergy medicines help stop the body from producing histamine, which triggers allergy symptoms.
Allergies can be frustrating, but with adequate knowledge, preparation, and the right allergy medicine, they don’t have to spoil your warm-weather activities. Consult your doctor to find the right medicine and dosage to relieve the allergy symptoms you are experiencing.
Also Read: How to Get Rid Of Seasonal Allergies?
