What to do about summer allergies

Summer is for spending time outside, but if you suffer from a summertime allergy, the outdoors may not be your friend. Let’s look at some of the common summer allergies and what you can do about them.

Allergy season — Typically, we think of nasal allergies in the spring and fall. In fact, grass pollen causes many people to suffer from severe sneezing, nasal itching and congestion, and a runny nose throughout the summer. Ideally, you should stay indoors when grass pollen counts are highest, usually in the early morning hours. Don’t dry clothing outside, as pollen clings to clothes and then gets in the house. Always keep windows to your house and car closed. Avoid grass mowing, but if you must do it, a pollen mask will help. (Thinkstock)

Another trigger is airborne mold spores. There are thousands of different molds that produce spores. Counts are at their highest when temperatures and humidity soar both during and after thunderstorms. Downdrafts from thunderstorms pull mold spores from the ground into the air and break spores into smaller pieces, making them easier to inhale. Symptoms are the same as grass pollen allergy symptoms. (AP Photo/Dean Fosdick)

Over-the-counter treatments, such as antihistamines and nasal steroid sprays, can ease symptoms and make you less miserable. If these don’t work, see a board-certified allergist, who can get you on the road to relief. In most cases, allergy skin tests can pinpoint the cause of your allergies. Prescription medications often help relieve symptoms, and allergen immunotherapy is very effective. Immunotherapy is a natural treatment given by either injection or tablet, and it can lead to tolerance of your allergies. It can lessen or even eliminate your need for medications. (Thinkstock)

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Honeybees, although not native, are incredibly valuable pollinators that are an important link in our food supply. (Getty Images/iStockphoto/RugliG) — Bees, wasps, yellow jackets, hornets and fire ants can cause allergic reactions ranging from a few hives to swelling at the site of the sting, wheezing or a drop in blood pressure. Some reactions are life-threatening. People with stinging insect allergy should seek care from a board-certified allergist. Skin testing can pinpoint what triggers your allergies. (Getty Images/iStockphoto/RugliG)

There are some important actions you can take to avoid being stung. Always wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks outdoors. Don’t wear brightly-colored clothing outside or use perfume, sweet-smelling deodorant or other fragrances, as these can attract insects. Food also attracts insects, so keep all foods covered outdoors and avoid garbage containers. Anyone with an insect allergy needs to carry an epinephrine auto-injector. Ask your allergist about venom immunotherapy (allergy shots), which can desensitize you to the insects, whose sting could be life-threatening. For most people, a course of venom immunotherapy can cure their insect allergy. (Thinkstock)

Skin allergy to outdoor plants is another common summer allergy. The most common plants are poison ivy, sumac and oak. If you’re sensitive to these plants and they touch your skin, a red, very itchy, oozing rash can develop over the next few days. To avoid contact with the plants, always wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks outdoors. If a rash develops, over-the-counter steroid cream may help clear it up. If needed, talk to your allergist about prescription strength creams and tablets to get relief. Unlike nasal and insect sting allergies, immunotherapy doesn’t exist for skin allergy to outdoor plants, so avoidance is vital. (Thinkstock)

If you have asthma or other breathing issues, smog can make your breathing worse during the summer. “Smog” was created from the word “smoke” and “fog” in the 19th century and is a type of air pollution caused primarily by vehicle emissions in the U.S. It’s worse during the hot summer days, when heat and sunlight cause production of ozone from air pollutants to build up in the air. Ozone can irritate the lungs and trigger wheezing and difficulty breathing in people with asthma. Pay attention to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Air Quality Alerts. Stay indoors in the afternoon when air quality is poorest, and remember to always take your asthma medications as prescribed. (Thinkstock)

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