A lot of people associate allergy season with springtime, but many experience symptoms well into summer. If you want to enjoy swimming at Piedmont Park Aquatic Center or hiking at without suffering from allergy symptoms, it’s important to know what you’re allergic to and how to avoid it.
Summer Allergens in Georgia
Below are some of the most common culprits behind summer allergies in Georgia and how to avoid them.
Grass Pollen
June is when grass pollen peaks here in Georgia. This can trigger itchy, watery eyes, congestion, runny nose, sneezing, scratchy throat and hives.
To avoid reacting to grass pollen, be sure to monitor pollen counts online or on your local weather channel. Avoid going outside or opening windows when they are highest. If you do spend time outdoors, be sure to shower and change clothes right away afterward to avoid tracking the allergen into your home. If possible, delegate yardwork like mowing the lawn to someone without allergies, or hire a professional.
Ragweed
Ragweed is a common allergen in the late summer and early fall.
Like with grass pollen, it’s important to avoid the outdoors when pollen counts are highest and prevent yourself, your kids and your pets from tracking it inside.
Mold Spores
Georgia’s hot, humid climate, especially in the summer, is ideal for mold spores to grow. It tends to grow places like piles of leaves, cut grass and dead logs. Indoors, it is more likely to grow damp places like your bathroom, kitchen or basement. Exposure to mold spores can cause congestion or runny nose, and can also trigger asthma symptoms.
To prevent mold spores from spreading indoors, run the air conditioning or use a portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.
Seasonal Fruits
It’s common for people with seasonal allergies to experience oral allergy syndrome (OAS), where certain raw fruits cause itching or tingling in the lips, tongue or mouth. For some, this can cause anaphylaxis.
Avoid foods in the same botanical family as your seasonal allergies, for example, fruits in the ragweed family include bananas and melons, while fruits in the grass family include peaches, tomatoes and oranges. If you’re one of the 60 million Americans who suffer from allergies, there is hope. Call the expert allergists at ENT of Georgia today for more information.
