Summertime Allergies
Summer isn’t usually considered an allergy season like spring or fall, but it is the time of year when grass blooms. Grass pollen is high in the summer. The weeds that can cause summer allergies in Colorado include Ragweed, Cockleweed, Russian Thistle, Sagebrush, Tumbleweed, and Pigweed. The grasses that can cause summer allergies are Bermuda, Blue, Orchard, Sweet Bernal, Timothy, and Red Top. Smog and summer air pollution can also make your symptoms worse.
Bees, wasps, hornets, and fire ants can cause allergic reactions when they sting. Insect bites or stings usually cause mild symptoms but can sometimes lead to a severe allergic reaction. If your throat feels like it is swelling shut, your tongue swells, or you feel dizzy or nauseated, get medical help right away.
Mold loves damp warm areas including the basement and bathrooms. The spores can get into the air creating an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive. Dust mites also peak in the summer. They thrive in warm and humid climates.
Asthma
Asthma is a chronic condition, but not everyone has symptoms all the time. Some people with asthma can go for several weeks or months without any symptoms. Others may have symptoms every day. The primary symptom of asthma is wheezing. This is frequently accompanied by a cough and tightness in the chest or the inability to take a full breath. These symptoms are frequently caused by environmental triggers. Common triggers include inhaling strong scents, cigarette smoke, exercise, and changes in the weather. Many people who suffer from asthma have allergies that trigger their symptoms.
Reference: webmd.com
Contact Dermatitis Is a Common Summer ENT and Allergy Problem
Many people suffer from contact dermatitis or skin allergies. Patients usually experience a rash after contact with something they are allergic to. The rash can develop hours to even days after it is exposed. The rash is typically itchy, red, and inflamed. The best treatment for Contact Dermatitis is allergy testing to find out what your triggers are. Allergens that may cause contact dermatitis include ingredients in cosmetics, jewelry, personal care products, household cleaning products, and materials. Please keep in mind that contact allergies may develop over time, so while they may not have caused a reaction earlier in life, they may now cause a problem.
Eye Allergies or Allergic Conjunctivitis
Allergies happen when your immune system overreacts to a harmless trigger in the environment. Eye allergies occur when they come into contact with an allergen and produce an inflammatory response. This can include itching, redness, burning, watery discharge, swelling, or crusty substance on the eyes when you wake up.
Sinus Problems or Sinusitis
Sinusitis involves irritants or infections in the nose that can cause swelling in the nasal cavities. This leads to pressure and pain, congestion, and nasal drainage.
Common symptoms include:
- Pain or pressure over sinuses
- Discolored drainage or mucus
- Nasal congestion
- Cough
- Phlegm in throat
- Postnasal drip
- Sinus pressure in the ears
Treatments for Sinusitis include:
- Saline spray or irrigation
- Decongestants
- Antihistamines
- Antibiotics
- Steroids
- Balloon Sinuplasty / Balloon Sinus dilation
- Surgery
If you experience common summer ENT and allergy problems during the summer or year-round, remember that our physicians are here to help. See one of our Board Certified Ear Nose and Throat Specialists today.