The Top Summer Allergy and Asthma Triggers

For the 40 million Americans who suffer from allergies, summer can be the worst time of all. Trees and flowers are in full bloom, bees are buzzing everywhere, and nasty, almost invisible critters can crop up in your house. Even healthy food can put you at risk of an allergic reaction. These reactions cause uncomfortable symptoms including a runny nose and itchy eyes. Allergies may also cause “allergy-induced asthma” – meaning that the lungs and airways are affected and that you’ll feel short of breath and have a tightness in your chest. Here’s what you’re up against, and how you can fight substances that could ruin your summer:

Pollen

These grains, released from flowers and trees as part of the fertilization process, are probably the most widespread of all allergens. When pollen, which can travel for hundreds of miles, invades your body, your immune system sees it as a danger and releases histamines to fight the invaders. Histamines cause the symptoms most of us are too familiar with. The solution: OTC antihistamines, or, for more serious cases, prescription strength medicine. Whatever you take, test its effects on you before you drive or operate any machinery. Other smart strategies: Stay inside between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. when the pollen levels are highest, exercise indoors if there’s a high pollen count, and wear a protective mask if you’re gardening or mowing the lawn.

Dust Mites and Mold These allergy-triggering substances in your home may flourish in the summer, especially if your house is humid. Wear a protective mask to clean mold out of nooks and crannies. With dust mites, which aren’t visible to the naked eye, regularly wash your bedding and rugs in water that’s at least 130 degrees. Try to keep your house as dust-free as possible. If you are going to get a pet, choose one that is “hypoallergenic” – i.e. doesn’t have the kind of coat that produces pet dander. (By the way, none of this applies to bedbugs. If you see even one of them, call an exterminator ASAP.)

Fresh Fruits and Vegetables As surprising as it may seem, food that’s healthy can be the source of allergic reactions ranging from mild to serious. Why? The proteins in the foods are often perceived by the immune systems as invaders, just the way pollen or other allergens are, and the result is an allergic reaction. According to the Mayo Clinic, if you’re allergic to ragweed pollen, you’ll have an allergic reaction to foods like melons and tomatoes. Those who are allergic to birch pollen are likely to react to apples and carrots. If you develop itchiness or tingling around your mouth, see an allergist as soon as possible. If you have a severe reaction—constriction of the throat, difficulty breathing—call 911.

Insect Stings Most people know about bee stings and the sometimes fatal reactions they cause. But other bugs, including wasps and hornets, can also be painful and even deadly. It’s estimated that about 50,000 people end up in emergency rooms each year because of insect stings. And for those who are most allergic and go into a state of anaphylactic shock, a minute sting can be fatal. To avoid stings, don’t wear bright clothing or fragrance. Use an insect repellent with DEET, and if you know you’re vulnerable to shock, carry emergency treatment with you. Some people find it easier to avoid a woodsy vacation altogether and go to the beach, where the danger is considerably less.

Other Allergy- and Asthma-Provoking Substances Changes in the weather can stir up mold and lead to allergic or asthmatic reactions, while campfires or fire pits are especially dangerous for asthmatics. If you’re determined to sit around a nighttime campfire, take a seat upwind of the flames and don’t get too close. And pool chlorine can provoke an asthma attack.

The bottom line: If you know or suspect you have allergies, find a qualified allergist who can help you single out what affects you and decide on the best course of treatment. For more information, visit www.acaai.org, the website of the American College of Allergists and Immunologists.