Late-Summer Allergy Symptoms to Watch For
If your nose is stuffy, your eyes are itchy, or you're sneezing more than usual as summer winds down, you may be dealing with late-summer allergies.
Many people associate allergies with spring, but allergy symptoms can continue well into September. In fact, late summer can be a particularly difficult time for people who are sensitive to certain outdoor pollens and molds.
The good news is that you don't have to simply put up with weeks of congestion, sneezing, or postnasal drip. Identifying your specific triggers through allergy testing can be an important first step toward finding the right treatment.
What Causes Late-Summer Allergies?
Late summer brings a different mix of allergens than the earlier spring months.
Ragweed Pollen
Ragweed is one of the most common causes of late-summer and early-fall allergy symptoms. A single ragweed plant can produce a tremendous amount of pollen, which can travel through the air and trigger symptoms in sensitive individuals.
Ragweed allergy symptoms may include:
- Sneezing
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Itchy nose or throat
- Watery, itchy eyes
- Postnasal drip
- Coughing
- Sinus pressure
Grass and Other Pollens
Depending on the weather and where you live, grasses and other plants can continue releasing pollen throughout the summer. Outdoor activities such as mowing the lawn, gardening, hiking, or spending time in parks can increase exposure.
Mold
Mold can also contribute to late-summer allergy symptoms. Mold spores may be found both indoors and outdoors and can increase in warm, humid conditions.
Outdoor mold can be found in soil, leaves, grass clippings and other organic material. Indoors, mold may grow in damp basements, bathrooms or areas affected by water damage.
Why Do My Allergies Seem Worse at the End of Summer?
Allergy symptoms can vary from year to year depending on pollen levels, weather and individual sensitivity.
You may also spend more time outdoors during the summer, increasing your exposure to allergens. Warm, windy days can help pollen and other particles travel through the air, while humid conditions can contribute to mold growth.
If symptoms seem to appear at approximately the same time every year, an environmental allergy may be part of the reason.
Could Your Symptoms Be Something Other Than Allergies?
Not every stuffy nose or sinus problem is caused by allergies.
Nasal congestion, drainage, facial pressure and difficulty breathing through the nose can also be associated with conditions such as chronic sinusitis, a deviated septum, enlarged turbinates or other nasal problems.
That's why identifying the underlying cause matters.
If you've been treating what you think are allergies but aren't getting adequate relief, an evaluation by an ENT and allergy specialist may help determine what's really going on.
Allergy Testing Can Help Identify Your Triggers
If allergies are suspected, allergy testing can help identify the specific substances triggering your symptoms.
Knowing your specific allergens can make it easier to develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs rather than simply treating symptoms without knowing what's causing them.
What Is SLIT Allergy Treatment?
For patients with certain environmental allergies, sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) may be an option.
Unlike traditional allergy shots, SLIT uses allergy drops that are placed under the tongue. The goal of immunotherapy is to gradually help the immune system become less sensitive to specific allergens over time.
One of the benefits of SLIT is that it provides a needle-free approach to allergy immunotherapy and may be a convenient option for appropriate patients. Allergy testing can help determine whether you may be a candidate.
Don't Spend Another Season Managing the Symptoms
If late-summer allergies are keeping you indoors, interfering with sleep, affecting your concentration or making you miserable, you don't have to simply wait for allergy season to end.
The first step is finding out what you're allergic to and whether allergies are actually the cause of your symptoms.
Our ENT and allergy specialists can evaluate your symptoms, provide allergy testing when appropriate, and discuss treatment options—including SLIT allergy drops for eligible patients.
Ready to Find Out What's Triggering Your Allergies? Don't guess at the cause of your symptoms. Get answers.
Schedule an appointment today!
With convenient locations in Blue Bell, Bryn Mawr, Phoenixville and Pottstown, expert allergy and ENT care is close to home.
This information is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Allergy testing and treatment options are determined based on each patient's individual symptoms and medical history.
