What Causes Allergy and Sinus Problems To Heat Up In The Summer?
It’s that time of year again. The sun is shining, flowers are blooming, children are running around at the park, neighbors are hosting backyard barbecues, and days are spent swimming in the pool. Unfortunately, summer can also mean sneezing, coughing, itchy and watery eyes, and a runny nose.
It’s true that spring, fall, and winter are thought of as the prime times for sinus and allergy trouble, but the reality for many people is that the summer months can also be filled with sinus problems. To help you get a better understanding of what you may be experiencing, let’s go over a few of the biggest culprits that tend to cause allergy and sinus problems to flare up during the summer.
Pollen
When we think about allergies, one of the first triggers that typically comes to mind is pollen. In fact, pollen is one of the most common causes of seasonal allergies. According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, approximately 9 percent of children and 7 percent of adults in the United States suffer from a pollen allergy.
Grasses, weeds, and trees release very small pollen grains during spring and summer. The pollen helps fertilize other plants of the same species, and these tiny particles are easily carried through the air by the wind. This is why during this time of year, you often hear weather forecasters talk about the daily pollen count, which is an indication of how much pollen is in the air.
Most trees typically finish pollinating by late spring, so the main offenders during summer tend to be grasses and weeds. Ragweed, sagebrush, tumbleweed, Bermuda grass, and orchard grass are just a few of the most common causes of allergies during warm weather. Pollen from these plants can lead to typical allergy symptoms.
Mold
The presence of outdoor mold tends to peak during the late summer and early fall months. Mold can grow in areas like rotting logs, compost piles, and fallen leaves. When these areas are disturbed, mold and mildew spores are released into the air. These mold spores can trigger an allergic reaction, just like pollen can. Even though there are numerous types of molds, only a few dozen actually trigger allergic reactions.
Mold can also make its way inside your home. Indoor mold is commonly found in damp areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and basements. While mold can grow inside a home year-round, the higher humidity in the summer can influence its growth. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, if there is too much moisture in your home and the indoor humidity remains above 50 percent, mold can easily develop and spread.
It’s true that spring, fall, and winter are thought of as the prime times for sinus and allergy trouble, but the reality for many people is that the summer months can also be filled with sinus problems. To help you get a better understanding of what you may be experiencing, let’s go over a few of the biggest culprits that tend to cause allergy and sinus problems to flare up during the summer.
Pollen
When we think about allergies, one of the first triggers that typically comes to mind is pollen. In fact, pollen is one of the most common causes of seasonal allergies. According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, approximately 9 percent of children and 7 percent of adults in the United States suffer from a pollen allergy.
Grasses, weeds, and trees release very small pollen grains during spring and summer. The pollen helps fertilize other plants of the same species, and these tiny particles are easily carried through the air by the wind. This is why during this time of year, you often hear weather forecasters talk about the daily pollen count, which is an indication of how much pollen is in the air.
Most trees typically finish pollinating by late spring, so the main offenders during summer tend to be grasses and weeds. Ragweed, sagebrush, tumbleweed, Bermuda grass, and orchard grass are just a few of the most common causes of allergies during warm weather. Pollen from these plants can lead to typical allergy symptoms.
Mold
The presence of outdoor mold tends to peak during the late summer and early fall months. Mold can grow in areas like rotting logs, compost piles, and fallen leaves. When these areas are disturbed, mold and mildew spores are released into the air. These mold spores can trigger an allergic reaction, just like pollen can. Even though there are numerous types of molds, only a few dozen actually trigger allergic reactions.
Mold can also make its way inside your home. Indoor mold is commonly found in damp areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and basements. While mold can grow inside a home year-round, the higher humidity in the summer can influence its growth. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, if there is too much moisture in your home and the indoor humidity remains above 50 percent, mold can easily develop and spread.
Weather Changes
Some people’s sinuses go haywire as soon as the weather gets warmer. In addition to temperature, there are several weather elements that can actually impact a person’s sinuses.
Changes in barometric pressure can, in fact, trigger sinus pain, pressure, and headaches. Think about how air pressure changes when you are in an airplane or elevator. These same changes can occur with various weather patterns. Research has demonstrated that barometric pressure decreases as a storm is coming into an area, and it increases as a storm is moving out. Since afternoon thunderstorms are a common occurrence during the summer months, the air pressure can change quickly and often. This variation in barometric pressure can wreak havoc on your sinuses if you are sensitive to this change.
The dry, warm air commonly present on summer days is another factor that can cause sinus problems. The mucus in your nose can easily become sticky and thick when the air is extremely dry. When mucus cannot flow, sinuses can become blocked. This blockage can then result in sinus pressure, congestion, pain, and headaches.
Some people’s sinuses go haywire as soon as the weather gets warmer. In addition to temperature, there are several weather elements that can actually impact a person’s sinuses.
Changes in barometric pressure can, in fact, trigger sinus pain, pressure, and headaches. Think about how air pressure changes when you are in an airplane or elevator. These same changes can occur with various weather patterns. Research has demonstrated that barometric pressure decreases as a storm is coming into an area, and it increases as a storm is moving out. Since afternoon thunderstorms are a common occurrence during the summer months, the air pressure can change quickly and often. This variation in barometric pressure can wreak havoc on your sinuses if you are sensitive to this change.
The dry, warm air commonly present on summer days is another factor that can cause sinus problems. The mucus in your nose can easily become sticky and thick when the air is extremely dry. When mucus cannot flow, sinuses can become blocked. This blockage can then result in sinus pressure, congestion, pain, and headaches.
What Can You Do?
You can try to avoid pollen in the summer months by staying indoors during the morning. This is when pollen levels are at their highest. Of course, this is also often the coolest part of the day when many people like to walk or jog. When you are inside your home or car, keep the air conditioner on and the windows closed.
Avoiding other irritants such as automobile exhaust, campfire smoke, and chlorine from swimming pools can help prevent sinus trouble, but that can be difficult during the fun of summer activities.
Over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestants can be helpful for relieving minor sinus symptoms, but more severe and lasting problems require the help of an ear, nose, and throat physician.
To pinpoint the source of allergy and sinus issues, a complete exam, which may include a CT scan of your sinuses and allergy testing, is usually necessary. Once the source of the problem is identified, whether it is specific allergens or a nasal obstruction, a course of treatment can be recommended. At CornerStone Ear, Nose & Throat, many patients have found lasting relief from sinus symptoms through the use of medications, topical medical therapy, in-office sinus procedures, and even allergy drops that you can take instead of allergy shots.
Summer comes with lots of perks, but the unfortunate reality is that many of us face allergy and sinus issues as the weather heats up. Thankfully, you can take steps to make sure that sinus problems don’t get in the way of summer fun.
You can try to avoid pollen in the summer months by staying indoors during the morning. This is when pollen levels are at their highest. Of course, this is also often the coolest part of the day when many people like to walk or jog. When you are inside your home or car, keep the air conditioner on and the windows closed.
Avoiding other irritants such as automobile exhaust, campfire smoke, and chlorine from swimming pools can help prevent sinus trouble, but that can be difficult during the fun of summer activities.
Over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestants can be helpful for relieving minor sinus symptoms, but more severe and lasting problems require the help of an ear, nose, and throat physician.
To pinpoint the source of allergy and sinus issues, a complete exam, which may include a CT scan of your sinuses and allergy testing, is usually necessary. Once the source of the problem is identified, whether it is specific allergens or a nasal obstruction, a course of treatment can be recommended. At CornerStone Ear, Nose & Throat, many patients have found lasting relief from sinus symptoms through the use of medications, topical medical therapy, in-office sinus procedures, and even allergy drops that you can take instead of allergy shots.
Summer comes with lots of perks, but the unfortunate reality is that many of us face allergy and sinus issues as the weather heats up. Thankfully, you can take steps to make sure that sinus problems don’t get in the way of summer fun.