What Triggers Summer Allergies and How To Find Relief

There’s a reason we spend so much of the year looking forward to summer: It’s a time for family vacations, pool parties and picnics. So, why are you spending it sneezing, sniffling and stuffed up?

Allergist Mark Aronica, MD, explains what summer allergies are and how to keep them from sullying the season.

What are summer allergies?

Summer allergies are allergic reactions to environmental triggers that peak during the summer months. Although many people call them “summer allergies,” your healthcare provider will likely call them seasonal allergies, or allergic rhinitis.

Common triggers

If your allergies tend to be at their worst during the summertime, you’re likely allergic to one or more of these triggers:

• Grass pollen
• Weed pollen
• Outdoor mold
• Sometimes, lingering tree pollen

In the Northern hemisphere, tree pollen and grass pollen tend to peak sometime between May and July, while weed pollen and outdoor mold spores are busiest between July and November. (So, if you deal with lots of allergies in July, you come by them honestly.)

It’s also worth keeping in mind that our behavior changes when all that sunshine starts to feel oppressive. If you’re spending more time inside to beat the heat, a spike in allergies could be the result of:

• Dust mites
• Pet dander
• Indoor mold

Summer allergy symptoms

Summer allergy symptoms mirror the ones you get during other times of year, like:

• Nasal congestion
• Runny nose
• Sinus pressure or headaches
• Sneezing
• A dry, persistent cough
• Red, watery, swollen or itchy eyes
• Ears that feel full, itchy or painful
• A scratchy, irritated throat

There’s one other seasonal allergy symptom that Dr. Aronica says tends to fly under the radar: fatigue.

“Fatigue is actually a very common symptom associated with allergic rhinitis,” he clarifies. “It’s probably brought on by disrupted sleep patterns. After all, it’s tough to get a good night’s rest when you’re dealing with congestion, a runny nose or sneezing.”

Summer allergies vs. summer cold

Sometimes, your summer sniffles aren’t allergies at all — they’re symptoms of a summer cold.

Cold and allergy symptoms often overlap. But Dr. Aronica says it’s more likely to be a cold if you have:

• A fever
• Body aches
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• An upset stomach

Timing can also tell you a lot. Common cold symptoms tend to be at their gnarliest right when you wake up in the morning and when you lie down at night.

Allergies can flare in the morning and at night, too, but Dr. Aronica says it happens for different reasons.

“Pollen counts typically peak between 5 and 10 a.m., making early risers especially vulnerable,” he notes. “And at night, indoor allergens may be a factor.”

Allergies can also spike whenever you’re outdoors during high-pollen periods or doing activities — like mowing the lawn or gardening — that stir up pollen, mold spores and other summer allergy triggers.

Who is at the greatest risk?

You’re most likely to develop summer and other seasonal allergies if you:

• Have other allergic conditions, like asthma or eczema
• Have biological family members who have them (this is a strong risk factor)
• Spend a lot of time outdoors during high-pollen periods (if you’re prone to allergies)
• Are exposed to irritants like smoke, car exhaust or cleaning products, which can inflame and sensitize your airways

Diagnosing summer allergies

If summer allergies are bumming you out, your first step toward an allergic rhinitis diagnosis is contacting your primary care provider or — if you already have one — your allergist.

They’ll determine whether you have seasonal allergies based on:

• A physical exam
• Symptom type, timing and frequency
• What helps and what doesn’t
• Allergy testing via skin prick or blood test (this is the only way to confirm the diagnosis)

But keep in mind: Not all runny noses point to an allergy. It’s also possible you’re dealing with non-allergic rhinitis, which can be equally unpleasant, but won’t respond to medications the same way.

“There are very good treatments for non-allergic rhinitis,” Dr. Aronica reassures. “So, whether your symptoms are allergic or non-allergic, we can help.”

Treatment

If home remedies like neti pots and warm drinks aren’t doing enough to manage your summer allergy symptoms, your next step is trying over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, like:

• Corticosteroid nasal sprays: Daily OTC nasal sprays, like fluticasone (Flonase®), triamcinolone (Nasacort®) and mometasone (Nasonex®), are very effective, but they take a while to kick in. “Start them at least two to three weeks before allergy season starts,” Dr. Aronica advises.
• Oral antihistamines: If you want relief from summer allergies but don’t want to feel drowsy, Dr. Aronica says long-acting non-sedating antihistamines like loratadine (Claritin®), cetirizine (Zyrtec^®) and fexofenadine (Allegra®) are your best bet.

Dr. Aronica notes that nasal sprays are the best option for managing seasonal allergies, provided you’re using them correctly.

“I recommend the nasal sprays for regular use, and you can sometimes add a non-drowsy oral antihistamine on top of that,” he explains. “But if you feel a benefit from the oral antihistamines, it’s OK to take them on a daily, regular basis.”

If you’re really struggling, you can try OTC antihistamines with added decongestants. These are the medications that have a “D” on them, like Zyrtec-D®, Claritin-D® or Allegra-D®.

“It’s often more cost-effective to purchase plain pseudoephedrine — the D in these meds — and add it to your regular antihistamine as needed,” Dr. Aronica suggests.

While antihistamines with pseudoephedrine do a great job tackling severe allergy symptoms, they also have more side effects.

“Use them on an as-needed basis to cover tougher days, but certainly no longer than 10 to 14 days at a time,” he emphasizes.

And if that doesn’t work? That’s when it’s time to see a provider. You may need to level up to prescription-strength medicines, like:

• Antihistamine nasal sprays: Prescription nasal sprays like azelastine (Astepro®) and olopatadine (Patanase®) are good choices to take as needed for severe seasonal allergies. To get the best results, use them twice a day when your allergy symptoms are at their peak.
• Allergy shots: Also known as immunotherapy, allergy shots help you build tolerance to triggers over time. “It’s not a quick fix for allergies, and it’s not a cure,” Dr. Aronica states. “I generally tell people it’ll take about six months before they’ll feel any benefit.” They’re time-intensive, but they may be worthwhile if nothing else helps.

How to reduce summer allergy exposure

One of the best ways to keep summer allergies from ruining your fun is by limiting your exposure to triggers. You can’t avoid them entirely, but you can:

• Avoid going out during the times of day when pollen is at its peak.
• Steer clear of tall grasses and heavy brush.
• Check pollen counts and weather daily.
• Keep your windows closed.
• Run your air conditioner.
• Use air purifiers and replace furnace filters more often.
• Change clothes when you get in from outside.
• Shower before bed.
• Use dust mite-proof mattress and pillow covers, if you’re sensitive to dust mites.
• Vacuum frequently.
• Keep indoor humidity between 30% and 50%.

“Those are some of the small, easier things you can do to limit your exposure during pollen season,” Dr. Aronica summarizes. Combined with medications, home remedies and the support of a healthcare provider, those steps may be enough to save your summer.