In one survey, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America found that 40 percent of children and 30 percent of adults suffer from some kind of an allergy. So if you’re reading this, then there’s a high chance you’re one of them. Allergic reactions are especially common during the summer because of the abundance of allergens frolicking in the sun. Nothing can ruin your summer plans like a runny nose and non-stop sneezing. So if you want to stay vigilant against allergens this summer, here are seven that you should look out for.
1. UV Rays From The Sun
A few very unfortunate people are actually allergic to the sun. While the sun shines all through the year, sun allergies are naturally aggravated during the summer. In the summer, the days are longer and the intensity of the sun’s rays are stronger. If you’re allergic to the sun, then your skin might break out in a rash within a few minutes of exposure. These rashes are very different from a sunburn, although you might mistake it for one. To protect yourself from the sun, always cover up all exposed areas of your body. Sunscreens might not be able to protect you fully since some people are allergic to them as well.
2. Waste From Dust Mites
Dust mites are tiny little insects which thrive in dark, humid areas of the house. Unless you shake and air them out frequently, you almost certainly have dust mites living in your carpets, on your mattress and any other spot where dust accumulates. What dust mites lack in size, they make up for in waste production. Each dust mite can produce up to 200 times its weight in waste. When you inhale this waste, a protein in it can trigger an allergic response from your body. Make sure you clean out your home frequently to prevent waste from dust mites building up.
3. Proteins In Certain Fruits
What’s summer without a delicious bowl of summer fruits to relish? But for a small group of people, these juicy treats can cause them to have a severe allergic reaction. Certain fruits contain a protein that is very similar to pollen. When your body comes into contact with this protein, it identifies it as a threat and produces an immune response to deal with it. When people with a fruit allergy eat these fruits, they might have an itchy, burning sensation in their mouth. In some rare cases, fruit allergies can also cause a person to go into anaphylactic shock.
4. Pollution
Pollution by itself isn’t an allergen, however it can aggravate your existing allergies. Even if you experience no negative symptoms around pollution during the other months of the year, you might become sensitive to it during summer. If you live in a highly polluted area, then your pollen allergies might become a lot more severe. Pollution can also aggravate your asthma during the summer. Anti-pollution masks aren’t the most fashion-forward summer style statement, but they can prevent your allergies from getting worse.
5. Bees, Ticks And Mosquitoes
We love spending time outdoors during the summer but unfortunately, so do a horde of creepy-crawlies. Many people are allergic to bees and break out in hives when they get stung. In some cases, people with a severe bee allergy have even died from anaphylactic shock after getting stung. While bee allergies are pretty well-known, not many people are aware that you can be allergic to mosquitoes and ticks as well. It’s common to have a small bump on your skin if you’ve been bitten by these insects. However, if you break out in hives and rashes, then you might be allergic to them. Protect yourself from bugs by wearing insect repellent creams or by burning citronella.
6. Sugar In Meat
If you do have a tick allergy and have been bitten by one, then it’s probably best to stay away from meat for a while after. A special kind of sugar found in meat can exacerbate your allergic reaction from a tick bite. Eating meat soon after a tick bite can cause severe hives and even result in anaphylactic shock. Bites from the Lone Star tick in particular have been found to react to the sugar in meat. If you suspect you have a tick allergy and were bitten, then stay away from meat for at least a day.
7. Summer Showers
A sudden spell of rain can often feel like a welcome respite from the sweltering hot sun. However, if you have allergies, then don’t rejoice just yet. When it rains, the water and wind can distribute grass pollen through the air and make it easier for you to inhale it. This can worsen your allergies and also aggravate your asthma. If you do suffer from these conditions, then try to stay indoors immediately after a storm.
