If you suffer from allergies, the spring and fall months can be hard to bear. But for many, summertime is no walk in the park, either. You see, along with fun in the sun, the summer months also bring many allergy triggers that can cause respiratory issues, itchy, watery eyes, runny noses, and even skin irritation.
Here are 5 common summertime allergy triggers, and tips on how to lessen their impact.
Ragweed – Ragweed usually arrives in August and can travel for hundreds of miles in the wind, triggering symptoms even if it doesn’t grow where you live. If you have allergy symptoms you can’t explain, talk to an allergy specialist about testing and treatment and, for best results, begin taking appropriate medication a couple weeks before ragweed season.
- Mold – For those allergic to mold, the summer months can be brutal. Certain types of outdoor mold spores peak during the warmer months, while increased humidity can provide the perfect environment for mold growth in damp, poorly ventilated areas of the home. Avoid being outdoors when mold counts are high, wear a mask when mowing the lawn and gardening, and make sure your home’s humidity level is balanced.
- Dust mites – These microscopic creatures thrive in warm, humid climates, getting especially comfortable in bedding, carpets, and fabrics. Keep their counts down by vacuuming and dusting regularly, protecting your mattress with a dust-mite-proof cover, and limiting the number of dust collecting objects in the bedroom.
- Insect stings and bites – Nothing ruins a fun day outdoors like a painful, itchy insect bite. And if you’re allergic, a single bite or sting can mean a trip to the ER. So avoid walking barefoot outdoors, don’t leave sweet, sugary drinks out in the open, keep food covered, and avoid wearing fragrances and brightly colored clothing. And of course, apply a good insect repellant to your clothing.
- Sunscreen – Sunscreen is a must in the summer months. But certain ingredients in sunscreen, like fragrances or blocking agents, can cause allergic reactions. If you have sensitive skin, read all sunscreen labels carefully and test a small area of your skin before applying it to your entire body.
Ragweed – Ragweed usually arrives in August and can travel for hundreds of miles in the wind, triggering symptoms even if it doesn’t grow where you live. If you have allergy symptoms you can’t explain, talk to an allergy specialist about testing and treatment and, for best results, begin taking appropriate medication a couple weeks before ragweed season.If you have ductwork that hasn’t been cleaned within the past few years, then every time your AC fan is on, it’s blowing accumulated dirt, dust, bacteria, and other pollutants right into your home. So for starters, have your ductwork professionally cleaned right away. And for long lasting protection, talk to the indoor air quality specialists at Messmer about the benefits of a whole-house air filtration system: the kind that traps more than 99% of airborne pollutants on contact us.