How Long Do Allergies Last In The Summer

Should I Take Or Give My Child Over

The over-the-counter allergy medications are both safe and effective. Steroid nose sprays, such as Flonase, Rhinocort and Nasacort, may help your nose and eye symptoms even if you dont have allergies. The 24-hour antihistamines, such as Claritin, Clarinex, Allegra, Zyrtec and Xyzal, will help but typically only if you have allergies. It is safe and effective to use a steroid nose spray and 24-hour antihistamine together. So, yes, even if youre not sure, it is safe to give these medications a try to see if they will help.

Allergies Vs Summer Cold

Even though its summer time, there is still a chance that you can catch a cold.

For many people, allergies and a summer cold are similar experiences.

However, here are some ways to distinguish allergies from a summer cold:

• Duration of symptoms. How long you have symptoms can be a tell-tale sign of whether its a cold or allergies. Allergies typically last weeks and linger. A cold will last 3-10 days.
• Shortness of breath. This is a sign of a summer cold or another infection. Allergies, whether seasonal or caused by an external factor, should never give you trouble breathing.
• Aches and pain. Allergies do not typically cause muscle aches and pain throughout the body. If youre experiencing discomfort in your body, you may have a cold.
• Fever. A fever usually comes with a cold or another infection in the body. If you have a fever, it is most likely not allergies.5

What Time Of Day Is The Pollen Count The Highest

Pollen counts are lowest before dawn, rise to their peak by mid-day and slowly fall in the evenings. On high pollen count days, there may still be higher-than-normal amounts pollen in the air in the evening. Weather also has a big impact on pollen counts. Dry, windy conditions increase the amount of pollen in the air, and rain lowers it.

Don’t Miss: How Much Honey For Allergies

Why Does Pollen Cause Allergies

In individuals with pollen allergies, when pollen is breathed in through the respiratory system, the immune system thinks the pollen is a danger to the body. It starts making chemicals to fight the pollen, causing an allergic reaction. Histamines released as a part of this reaction lead to the symptoms of allergies like a stuffy nose, watery eyes, and sneezing.

Can You Develop Allergies Later In Life Answering Your Spring Questions

But the exact seasonal patterns vary depending on where in the country you live. For instance, if you’re in the South, you might experience spring and tree pollen season a little earlier than the rest of the U.S., Corbett said. And some allergens are known to be particularly severe in certain areas, like the “cedar fever” that plagues areas of Texas and Oklahoma, Blair added.

Contrary to popular belief, though, the colorful flower blossoms we see in the spring aren’t a major cause of allergy symptoms. Pretty things dont typically produce a lot of airborne pollen, Corbett explained. Thats why they have the insects the bees that pollinate them.

Recommended Reading: When To See A Doctor For Allergies

Questions To Ask Your Doctor

• Could anything else, such as a cold or the flu, be causing my symptoms?
• How do I figure out what Im allergic to?
• Is my allergy seasonal?
• I am allergic to _____. Am I at risk for any other allergies?
• What changes can I make at home to relieve my symptoms?
• Will any over-the counter medicines relieve my symptoms?
• What should I do if my symptoms get worse or dont respond to the treatment youve prescribed?
• Do I need to see an allergy specialist ?

What Causes Summer Allergies

During the long, sunny days of summer, more people head outdoors to garden, entertain in the backyard, and enjoy camping, hiking, and biking adventures. Additionally, common allergens such as mold and ragweed pollen are active this time of year. The following outdoor sources can trigger summer allergies.

Recommended Reading: Are Allergy Skin Tests Reliable

How To Fight Summer Allergies

In the midwest and southern regions of the US, the weather is heating up, and the beginning of summer is quickly approaching. Allergies are usually associated with the spring or fall because pollen is active during these times and causes allergy symptoms in many people across the US. However, summer allergies are also common and are caused by the same allergens as in other seasons. Summer allergy symptoms may be confused for a summer cold or even COVID-19.

Do You Have Seasonal Allergies Or Covid

Having seasonal allergies is annoying at any time, but it creates some challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. “With COVID out there, differentiating between the two has been difficult,” Corbett said, because there can be some overlap in the symptoms of allergies and a coronavirus infection.

Some of the symptoms can be similar because, with a viral infection, you’re going to have congestion and runny nose,” Azar explained. But there are some ways to differentiate the two conditions, he said.

For instance, despite the nickname “hay fever,” allergies don’t typically cause a fever, Corbett said. So, if you’re feeling congested and your temperature is up, that’s a sign you might have something other than allergies.

Also, if you have systemic symptoms, like body aches or a general feeling of being unwell, that’s another reason to think beyond allergies, Azar said. “Plus, with COVID, there’s some significant problems with people having reduced sense of smell and taste.”

If you have some ambiguous symptoms and you’re not sure what you’re dealing with, it’s definitely worth taking a COVID-19 test just in case.

Don’t Miss: Can Eye Allergies Make Your Vision Blurry

Talk To A Doctor About Treating Seasonal Allergies

Finding the best treatment plan and medications can greatly improve your quality of life, as well as protect you from other health problems. A doctor can help you manage your symptoms so you can get back to work . We can help you manage your symptoms so you can get back to work . And we make it convenient to get the kind of care you need.

If youve never spoken with a doctor about allergies before, start by making a primary care appointment. You can choose an in-person visit or a video visit. Theyll listen, create a plan and connect you with an allergist or an ear, nose and throat doctor, if needed.

If you know you have allergies and feel like they may be getting worse, you can make an appointment with an allergist without a referral.

If its the middle of the night or the weekend, and care just cant wait start a Virtuwell visit. Virtuwell treats more than 60 common conditions online, including seasonal allergies. Youll start by answering a few simple questions about your symptoms and medical history, and then a certified nurse practitioner will get you a diagnosis and treatment plan usually in about an hour. And if there are any prescriptions, they can send it to a pharmacy of your choice.

How To Tell The Difference

Asking certain questions can help someone determine whether symptoms are due to an allergy or a cold:

• How quickly did symptoms appear? Symptoms tend to come on gradually over a day or two when a cold is the cause. When symptoms come on suddenly out of nowhere, they are more likely to be caused by an allergy.
• How long have symptoms been present? Symptoms of a cold tend to taper off after a week or two. Allergy symptoms may last while exposure to the triggering allergen is still in the air.
• Do symptoms occur at predictable times? If symptoms tend to occur at the same time every year, they can be due to seasonal allergies.
• Do symptoms include itchy or watery eyes or eczema? Certain symptoms tend to occur more frequently with allergies as opposed to colds.

Read Also: How To Read Allergy Test Results Numbers

Get The Care You Need To Keep Seasonal Allergies Under Control

Over-the-counter allergy medications work reasonably well, especially for itching and sneezing. If you have those symptoms, start with an oral antihistamine tablet for allergy relief. The nice thing about an antihistamine tablet is it works fairly quickly within an hour or so. But make sure you continue to take the medication consistently and as directed to help maintain that relief throughout the allergy season.

When Do Seasonal Allergies Hit Their Peak

Seasonal allergies start as early as February when trees begin to pollinate. This is followed by grass pollination in the spring and summer months. Climate and weather changes can also dictate how fast plants begin to pollinate. For instance, large amounts of rain in the spring can spur on more rapid plant growth, which leads to an increase in mold another big allergy trigger.

In the fall, ragweed largely reigns supreme as the key contributor to allergy symptoms. Though they only live for one season, one ragweed plant can produce up to one billion pollen grains! This can last from early August and all the way to October. Mold also occurs in the fall, as it grows underneath damp piles of leaves.

Don’t Miss: Will Food Allergies Ever Be Cured

Reduce Seasonal Allergy Triggers

• Limit the amount of time you spend outdoors
• Keep windows in your home and car closed
• Invest in an air purifier for your home and office
• Shower and launder clothing after being outside
• Exercise towards evening when pollen counts tend to be lower

Did you know that exposure to common seasonal allergens like pollen, can worsen asthma symptoms? Learn more about how to manage seasonal allergies and treat asthma flare-ups.

How Can I Treat My Allergies

There are many medications you can use:

Steroid nasal sprays can reduce inflammation in your nose.

Antihistamines help stop sneezing, sniffling, and itching.

help relieve stuffiness and dry up the mucus in your nose.

Immunotherapy in the form of allergy shots or oral tablets or drops can also help you feel better.

You can buy some allergy medications without a prescription, but talk to your doctor to make sure you get the right one. nasal sprays, for example, should only be used for 3 days. If you use them longer, you may actually get more congested. And if you have high blood pressure, some allergy drugs may not be right for you.

Read Also: How To Get Rid Of Sinus Pressure From Allergies

What To Do If Your Usual Allergy Medications Don’t Work

Many treatments are available to ease your allergy symptoms, including nasal sprays , eye drops, and antihistamines. “Oral antihistamines help the itchy, sneezy and runny nose, while intranasal antihistamines help the itchy, sneezy, runny, and congested nose,” Rhonda J. Myers, MD, PhD, allergist with Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Orange County, California, told Health. Another option is intranasal corticosteroids, which help all these symptoms but must be used daily to be effective, Dr. Myers said.

If your usual meds aren’t working, it’s time to see your healthcare provider again. “An allergist has advanced training and experience to properly diagnose your condition with a good history, examination, skin testing, or a blood test,” Dr. Fonacier said. “They can help you identify your allergy triggers, provide advice on how to avoid them, and even detect complications early.

There are several possible reasons for your meds not working, including the wrong diagnosis , high exposure to the allergen, or inability to avoid the exposure. You might also have started your treatment too late, Dr. Fonacier said. Whatever is at the root of it, your healthcare provider can help you get to the bottom of itand hopefully find some relief from the sneezing.

How To Manage Seasonal Allergies At Home

There are many over-the-counter medications you can use to treat your seasonal allergies at home. The most effective options on the market right now are nasal corticosteroid sprays, Azar said. These medications work by gradually reducing the body’s inflammatory response to allergens.

Remember that steroid nasal sprays take a while to produce their maximum effect. So you should ideally start using them before your symptoms appear. “We remind people think about Valentine’s Day as the time to consider restarting your seasonal allergy meds,” Blair said.

Even if you missed that deadline, those sprays are still, “in general, the most effective way to treat nasal allergy symptoms,” Blair added. “But a head start could help a lot.”

Starting early helps avoid another potential problem: clogged nasal passages. “Oftentimes, people will start medications like a nose spray, but by the time , they’re really congested and swollen,” Blair said. “All the tissue within the nose is pretty blocked, and it’s hard to get the sprays to where they need to go.”

Other options include oral antihistamines, such as fexofenadine , loratadine , cetirizine and levocetirizine , as well as antihistamine eye drops and nasal sprays. Depending on which allergy symptoms you experience most, it may make sense to take more than one of those medications, like using a nasal spray or eye drops, as well as taking an oral antihistamine.

You May Like: Do Allergies Give You A Sore Throat

How Are Seasonal Allergies Treated

There are many ways to treat seasonal allergies, depending on how bothersome the symptoms are. An important part of treatment is knowing what someone is allergic to. Some kids can get relief by reducing or eliminating exposure to the allergens that bother them.

If certain seasons cause symptoms, keep the windows closed, use air conditioning instead of fresh air when possible, and stay indoors when pollen counts are high. It’s also a good idea for kids with seasonal allergies to wash their hands or shower and change clothes after playing outside.

If reducing exposure isn’t possible or doesn’t help, doctors may recommend medicines for allergy symptoms. These can include oral, nasal, and ocular antihistamines and nasal steroid sprays. If these don’t help or a child has to take multiple medicines to ease symptoms, the doctor may recommend seeing an allergist. The allergist can decide whether allergy shots could help.

How Are Seasonal Allergies Diagnosed

Talk with your doctor if you think your child might have seasonal allergies. The doctor will ask if the same symptoms happen at the same time each year after your child is around an allergen, and do an exam. The doctor may be able to make a diagnosis, or might refer you to an allergy doctor for allergy skin testing or a blood test.

To find which allergens cause a person’s symptoms, allergists usually do skin testing. During skin prick testing, an allergist or nurse puts a tiny bit of a liquid containing an allergen into the skin by making a small scratch or prick on the skin. They usually do skin testing on a person’s forearm or back. The allergist then waits 15 minutes or so to see if a red, raised bump, called a wheal, forms. If it does, there might be an allergy. The allergist uses a ruler to measure the wheal and the redness around it.

Even if a skin test or a blood test shows an allergy, a child must also have symptoms to be diagnosed with an allergy for sure. For example, a child who has a positive test for grass pollen and sneezes a lot while playing in the grass would be considered allergic to grass pollen.

Recommended Reading: Can Gas Fireplaces Cause Allergies

When Should I Start Taking Allergy Meds

Theres no point in waiting until youre miserable to take allergy meds. In fact, allergists recommend you start taking meds a couple of weeks before allergy season arrives, or, at the latest, take them the moment you notice symptoms, says Dr. Parikh. Taking them early can stop an immune system freak-out before it happens, lessening the severity of symptoms, she adds. Check out the National Allergy Map to figure out when to start taking meds based on where you live.

Related Stories

• Save Your Itchy Eyes With These Allergy Eye Drops

As for which allergy meds to take, if youre seriously stuffed, start with steroid nasal sprays such as Flonase or Rhinocort, which reduce inflammation-induced stuffiness, says Dr. Keet. And if you’ve got itching, sneezing, and a runny nose too, look for non-sedating antihistamines such as Zyrtec, Xyzal, or Allegra, she adds.

Just remember: While OTC allergy meds suppress symptoms, they dont cure the problem, so they may be less effective if your allergies are worsening, notes Dr. Parikh.

Critters That Sting Are More Active

Bees, wasps, yellow jackets, hornets, fire ants, and other insects can cause allergic reactions when they sting. If you have a severe allergy, a run-in with one of them could lead to a life-threatening situation.

Insect bites usually cause mild symptoms, like itching and swelling around the area. Sometimes they lead to a severe allergic reaction, though. Your throat feels like itâs swelling shut, and your tongue might swell. You could feel dizzy, nauseated, or go into shock. This is an emergency, and you’ll need to get medical help right away.

Also Check: What Medicine Is Good For Allergies

Mold And Fungi Spore Allergies In Summer

With mold and fungi, my first thought is How could my mold allergy be worse in summer when its so hot out? Allergy Asthma Foundation of Americastates that mold and fungi seeds also known as spores travel in the dry windy air, or warm humid environments.

Summer tends to be dry and windy, or warm and humid great for mold and fungi, bad for allergy sufferers.