How to Manage Summer Allergies

If you’re sniffling, sneezing, or rubbing your eyes all summer long, you might have summer allergies. Summer allergies are a type of seasonal allergy, also known as hay fever or allergic rhinitis, that can cause all the usual allergy symptoms. These can range from watery, itchy eyes to a scratchy throat and sneezing to a stuffy nose.

Summer allergies can be triggered by pollen from grass, trees, and plants that bloom at that time of year. As with any allergies, it’s important to identify your triggers to feel better. 

Continue reading to learn more about summer allergies, including common triggers and how to get relief. 

What Do Seasonal Allergies Feel Like?

Summer allergies can make you feel miserable. Many people with seasonal allergies find that their face and respiratory tract—including the eyes, nose, throat, and mouth—feel itchy and irritated. You might feel congested or sneeze often. You might also experience itchy, watery eyes and generally feel uncomfortable.

What Causes Summer Allergies?

Summer allergies are usually caused by environmental triggers. Learning what causes your allergies, and avoiding those triggers whenever possible, can help you feel better and enjoy the summer months. 

The Biggest Culprit: Grass Pollen

The biggest trigger for summer allergies is grass pollen. Up to 30% of people will experience some type of grass pollen allergy. Typically, grass pollen allergies peak in June and July, but if you live in a warm climate, you could experience grass allergies year-round.

Many types of grass can trigger allergies. Unfortunately, since pollen blows easily in the wind, you could have allergy symptoms to grass even if your yard contains a grass variety that you’re not allergic to.

The types of grass that are most likely to trigger summer allergies are:

• Bermuda
• Fescue
• Orchard
• Rye 
• Sweet vernal 
• Timothy

Some people are also allergic to the following varieties:

• Bahia
• Blue grasses
• Johnson

Weeds Trigger Symptoms, Too

If you have allergy symptoms later in the summer, you might be allergic to weeds. Pollen from weeds usually peaks from August through the fall. Weeds that can commonly trigger allergies are:

• Ragweed
• Cocklebur
• Pigweed
• Russian thistle
• Sagebrush and mugwort
• Tumbleweed
• Burning bush
• Lamb’s-quarter

Mold Grows in Warm Air

The warm, moist weather during summer can cause mold to grow rapidly. Mold allergies typically peak during the fall, but it’s possible to experience summer allergies from mold, especially if the weather has been damp.

Air Pollution Is Worse During the Summer

Air pollution—including dust, smoke from wildfires, and other pollutants—can trigger summer allergies too. This is especially problematic for people who experience allergic asthma during the summer. If you have asthma, you’re up to 40% more likely to have an asthma attack on days with lots of air pollution.

Stinging Insects Are More Active

In addition to hay fever symptoms, you may experience an allergic reaction to a bug bite during the summer months. Biting and stinging insects like mosquitoes, wasps, and hornets are more active during the summer, just when people are spending more time outdoors, increasing the risk of being stung. 

Other Summer Allergy Symptoms

Summer allergies can trigger lots of symptoms, including:

• Itchiness of the eyes, mouth, nose, skin, or elsewhere
• Runny nose
• Changes to your sense of smell
• Sneezing
• Watery eyes
• Stuffy nose or congestion
• Coughing
• Clogged or blocked ears
• Sore throat
• Puffiness and darkness under the eyes
• Tiredness and irritability
• Headache

How Are Summer Allergies Diagnosed?

If you are experiencing summer allergies, see a healthcare provider. At the visit, you will be asked about your symptoms, including patterns in which you experience symptoms and what seems to trigger them. 

After taking your health history and doing a physical exam, your healthcare provider might order allergy testing to determine what you’re allergic to. Usually healthcare providers use a skin test for allergies, although they opt for a blood test for some patients instead. 

Once you know what you’re allergic to, you can avoid the triggers, and work with your healthcare provider to develop a treatment plan that works for you. 

How Are Allergies Treated?

Most people need to try a few different approaches to manage their seasonal allergies. 

The best way to manage your summer allergies is to avoid your triggers. This can mean limiting your time outside when pollen counts are high. You can track pollen counts and pollution using an allergy tracker like this one from the Allergy and Asthma network. Staying indoors with the windows closed and the air-conditioning running, if you have access to it, can keep allergens from entering the home and make you more comfortable. 

Using a saline nasal spray can help remove allergens from your nose and reduce rhinitis symptoms. Over-the-counter (OTC) allergy medications, including nasal sprays and antihistamines, can control symptoms too. OTC topical steroid creams can also help treat allergic reactions to bug bites. 

If you don’t get relief from OTC medications, talk to your healthcare provider about prescription allergy medications and allergy shots. 

How to Make Allergy Season Easier

Having summer allergies can really put a damper on your outdoor summer plans. To keep symptoms at bay, follow these steps:

• Track daily pollen counts.
• Stay inside, in air-conditioning, if possible, when the pollen or pollution counts are high.
• Keep your windows closed in your house and car to prevent allergens from getting inside.
• Wear a hat and sunglasses when outside.
• Change your clothes after spending time outdoors.
• Shower before getting into bed, especially if you’ve been outside, to remove any allergens.
• Avoid activities like mowing the grass or raking if those trigger you. If you have to get outdoor chores done, consider wearing a mask. 

Understanding Allergies and Weather Changes

Summer allergies are common, but if you also have allergies in other seasons, you might want to keep track of the weather changes year-round. Weather patterns that can prompt allergies include:

• Dry, windy days
• Rainy or humid weather
• Cold air
• Heat

Summary

Many people love the hot, sunny days of summer. But dealing with summer allergies, triggered by grass pollen, pollution or other factors, can put a damper on summer fun. Keep track of when you experience allergy symptoms, and try to avoid your triggers. Use an over-the-counter antihistamine to help prevent allergy symptoms, and ask your healthcare provider about other treatment options if you’re still having symptoms like itchiness, sneezing, or watering eyes.