Some Summer Allergy Triggers | The Prescription Shop

Spring and fall both get a lot of press when it comes to allergies, but did you know that summer allergies can be just as serious? This May, for National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, The Prescription Shop wants to educate our community about the reality of summer allergies as we move closer to June.

During summer, many of the same triggers for Spring allergies are to blame for making allergy sufferers uncomfortable. Understanding and identifying those triggers is the first step to get your summer allergies under control.

Most trees are done releasing their pollen by late spring. Summer pollen typically comes from grasses and weeds. The most common varieties which cause sniffling and sneezing include:

• Cockleweed
  
• Pigweed
  
• Ragweed
  
• Russian thistle
  
• Sagebrush
  
• Tumbleweed
  
• Bermudagrass
  
• Blue grasses
  
• Orchard grass
• Red top grass
• Sweet vernal grass
  
• Timothy grass
  

Ragweed is among the most common of all summer allergy triggers. Since it can travel hundreds of miles in the wind, you can find yourself miserable from ragweed allergies even if it doesn’t grow anywhere near your residence.

Air pollution can make your symptoms worse, and it typically peaks in the summer. Ozone is one of the most common summer pollutants. It is generated within the atmosphere when sunlight mixes with the chemicals from vehicle exhaust. The combination of summer’s stronger sunlight and calm winds can make clouds of ozone more prevalent in certain parts of the US.

Insect bites and stings are another common summer allergen. The typical problem insects include bees, wasps or yellow jackets, hornets and fire ants. All of these can cause allergic reactions when they sting, but for folks with a severe allergy, such a sting could result in a life-threatening situation.

For most of us with mild allergies, an insect bite may cause annoying symptoms, such as itching and swelling. But a severe allergic reaction can result in anaphylaxis. Your eyes and/or throat may feel swollen shut, and your tongue may swell and make it impossible to talk. You might feel dizzy or nauseated. These symptoms require immediate medical attention and are a true emergency.

When you need help understanding your allergy medications and treatment options, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our knowledgeable and compassionate pharmacists. You can visit our website to learn more about our convenient services, including prescription delivery and synchronization.