ALLERGIES can negatively affect your daily life.
Most of us suffer from allergies which cause watery eyes, sniffling and sneezing.
Allergens are still on the rampage in summer and attack your system.
However, there is good news.
Preventing allergy attacks can be as simple as figuring out what the triggers are. Below we discuss the top five causes of summer allergies and possible ways to cope and prevent them.
Summer pollen
Pollens vary from one region to another.
Trees yield pollen early on in the summer season.
Late July through August, many are affected by ragweed.
Pollen totals are highest on warmer, dry and breezy days.
An option to consider is to schedule events or outside activities early in the morning.
Some people wait until after it rains or evenings to plan outdoor activities.
Bee allergies
Bees, yellow jackets, wasps, hornets and many other insects can cause a reaction if you are stung.
In the warmer months of summer, many of us enjoy the lakes, hiking, cook-outs and other fun open-air activities.
But with summer comes insect bites and stings that can sometimes be harmful.
Life threatening allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis, is a severe reaction to a specific allergen, or allergic trigger.
Suggested symptoms to watch for include swelling in your face, tongue or throat and breathing trouble
If you are allergic to bees, you may want to consult your doctor about using and carrying an epinephrine shot.
You may also want to consider wearing an alert bracelet or necklace.
Mold
Another culprit related to allergy attacks in the summer is mold.
Outdoor mold allergic reaction can begin in late summer and fall.
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation, certain mold spores peak late in the summer.
Only a few types of mold can possibly trigger allergies.
If you suffer from any respiratory mold allergies, your immune system could overreact if you breathe in mold spores.
Mold allergies can make you cough and make your eyes itch.
Being allergic to one specific kind of mold may not mean you are allergic to others.
Allergic reaction from mold can be most common in July throughout late summer and, with molds growing in many different places, allergies can occur all year round.
Here’s how you can possibly reduce mold levels:
Consider keeping windows and doors closed and use an air conditioner
Water leaks in bathrooms, basements and kitchens may need to be fixed and try staying inside when mold counts are published in the high range
Poison ivy
Poison ivy is the most common of allergens.
It is common, especially around large bodies of water like rivers and streams.
It is also common in our backyards and said to have the ability to grow in a variety of places and therefore makes our susceptibility to it even greater.
Poison ivy is said to be the most common allergen to worry about.
It’s coated with resin-like sap and contains chemicals called urushiol.
Most of us come into contact with the leaves of poison ivy, but it is still important to avoid the entire plant.
Symptoms usually begin with severe itching.
Redness, swelling and burning can follow the itching along with blisters.
The breakout time is said to be 48 to 72 hours after you come into contact with this plant.
Most people are said to have been exposed at least once in their lifetime.
Tougher areas of the skin that seem to be more resistant are palms of hands and soles of your feet.
Thinner layers of your skin, such as eyelids and underarms are said to have a stronger reaction.
Poison ivy cannot be transmitted from person to person.
The fluid from the blister actually contains little to no resin at all.
In other words, touching another person with the poison ivy rash should not affect you.
While an allergic reaction can occur as a result of exposure directly to the plant, it can also occur because of indirect exposure.
Clothing, shoes, gardening equipment and pets can possibly cause indirect exposure.
Avoiding exposure is said to be the best way to prevent allergic reactions.
Wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts when hiking in wooded areas is important.
Wearing gloves while you garden is also a great idea.
If you suspect you have been affected by any of the allergies above, consider asking your doctor for a skin-prick test.
The test can determine which allergens you may be sensitive to. – Source –careworkshealth.com.