We are now offering early morning and noon appointments on Tuesday. 6:30AM – 5:00PM
Tuscaloosa ENT is the only ENT office open on Friday afternoons in the area. We also offer lunch hour appointments.
Identifying Summer Allergies
If you're affected by seasonal allergies, you may not be safe as soon as Spring is over. Unfortunately, the Summer season is no different. Luckily, it is much easier to deal with allergies if you know what is causing them and how to decrease your exposure. While a lot of the same plant allergens are active during this time, there are also a few new environmental and bug allergens as well.
Pollen is Still Active
By late Spring, most trees have bloomed making grasses and weeds the biggest culprit for irritation. The most common weeds and grasses that can cause irritation are:
Weeds Side Effects
| Ragweed | A flowering weed can cause sneezing, nasal congestion, and throat discomfort |
| Cockleweed | Similar to Ragweed, Cockle weed causes seasonal allergies for many people |
| Pigweed | Can produce asthma-like symptoms and headaches along with other common allergy side-effects. |
| Russian thistle | Common nose and throat symptoms as well as eye and ear irritations. |
| Sagebrush | Sneezing, runny nose, and respiratory irritation. |
| Tumbleweed | Itching eyes, headaches due to sinus pressure as well as a runny nose and sneezing. |
Grasses Side Effects
| Bermuda | Watery, itching eyes and nasal congestion. |
| Bluegrasses | Asthma-like symptoms such as wheezing, nasal congestion, eye irritation. |
| Orchard | Sneezing, runny nose, congestion, and watery eyes. |
| Red top | Shortness of breath, eye irritation, and nasal congestion. |
| Sweet vernal | Trouble breathing, itching skin, and ear, nose and throat irritation. |
| Timothy | A runny nose, watery eyes and consistent sneezing and congestion of the respiratory system. |
Allergens Specific to Summer
Smog – if you live in a city, smog can have a greater impact in the summer time due to the higher temperatures, chemicals and lack of the wind which creates clouds of exhaust in the air.
Insects – Once the temperatures warm up, stinging insects such as bees, wasps, mosquitos, and ants are far more active. It might be hard to avoid encountering these bugs, but wearing shoes while outside and avoid attracting them to you will lessen your chances of a bite or sting.
Molds – Warmer, more humid temperatures are a breeding ground for molds. Mold commonly grows in basements and bathrooms since they are prone to stay damp. Once formed, mold spores can break off into the air and cause an allergic reaction
For more information, visit our blog page or contact us today!