How to Combat Summertime Allergies

How to Combat Summertime Allergies By Daniel More, MD  Summer is a time for being outdoors with friends and family. Many people go camping, picnic at the beach, or barbeque in the backyard. But along with these outdoor activities comes the possibility of outdoor allergies. Allergies to summer pollens, stinging and biting insects, hidden food ingredients, and smoke from campfires and barbeques can ruin an otherwise perfect activity for some people. Summer Pollen Allergy  Grass pollen is usually the predominant pollen in the air during the summer. Allergy to this pollen can cause sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes, as well as cause asthma attacks in some people. Other people get hives and itching after touching or sitting in the grass. READ NOW Allergy to Stinging Insects  Stinging insects, such as bees, wasps and yellow-jackets are more active during the summer months, and can cause allergic reactions in certain people. Most people experience localized pain, itching and swelling as a result of being stung. However, some people experience more severe symptoms, including hives, difficulty breathing, or even life-threatening reactions (anaphylaxis) as a result of an insect sting. Insect allergies are curable, so if you think you have an allergy to stinging insects, you should see an allergist to discuss treatment options. READ NOW Mosquito Allergy  Mosquitoes are flying, biting insects that are closely related to flies and gnats. Only the female mosquito feeds on humans, and she needs a blood meal in order to produce eggs. During a feeding, the female mosquito bites the human skin, and injects saliva. The saliva contains various proteins that prevent the blood from clotting, as well as proteins that keep the blood flowing into the mosquito’s mouth. READ NOW Itchy Rashes After Swimming  Summer vacation brings to mind all sorts of great outdoor activities – from camping at the lake or trips to the beach, the warm summer months lead to water activities, such as swimming in the lake, surfing in the ocean or waterskiing in the river. Unfortunately, many people will experience an itchy skin rash after aquatic sports.   READ NOW Advertisement READ THESE NEXT Why Wives Put up With A "Culture of Adultery" in Professional Sports Why Homophobia Is Not a True Phobia — It's a Moral or Social Problem How Much Do You Know About Piaget's Stages of Cognitive Development? Does Your Child Have Any Food Allergy Symptoms? Quiz: Could You Have a Thyroid Problem? Understanding Lung Cancer Do You Have PCOS Symptoms? This Quiz Will Tell You. How Much of a Nutrition Whiz Are You? AN ABOUT.COM BRAND You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Allergies newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor, New York, NY, 10036 © 2016 Verywell.com - All rights reserved. Privacy Policy.