Allergies - Putting a Damper on Summer

Microscopic view of pollen from many plants. Pollen is a very 

common allergen. Photo Credit: Gustavo Bittencourt – 

Dartmouth Electron Microscope Facility

During the summer, the last thing you want to be is sick. I, for one, absolutely hate being sick during the summer because let's face it, summer is supposed to be filled with relaxation and fun activities, especially for those of us on summer vacation. Unfortunately however, when this season does roll around, so do pesky summer allergies. This could mean a runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, and itchy eyes and nose for those who suffer from these allergies triggered mostly by grass pollens. Because these symptoms tend to closely resemble those of a summer cold, they are commonly mistaken for just that. Thanks to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), determining what summer ailment you are suffering from has become a whole lot easier. Listed below are 4 questions that will help you determine if you are in fact suffering from a summer cold or summer allergies:

• Symptoms for two weeks? If yes, you most likely have allergies. Colds tend to be less persistent than allergies.
• Escalating symptoms? If your symptoms evolve, you most likely are suffering from a summer cold. Colds usually start with a stuffy nose, throat irritation and fever, then you experience the sneezing and the runny nose. 
• Green or clear mucus? Mucus that turns yellow or green can be associated with allergies. Clear mucus can be either a cold or allergies.
• Have an itch or wheezing? Itchiness along with sneezing usually means allergies.

If you are in fact suffering from summer allergies, the symptoms listed above aren’t the only ones you could be displaying. In fact, summer allergies can leave you looking like you just fought Mike Tyson. With that being said, other cosmetic symptoms can be noted. These include:

• Allergic Shiner: Dark circles under the eyes caused by congestion of small blood vessels beneath the skin. 
• Allergic Face: Swelling of the adenoids results in a tired and droopy appearance.
• Nasal Crease: Line across the bridge of the nose. This is usually the result of rubbing your nose upward to help relieve nasal congestion.

If you display any of these unusual symptoms, the ACAAI suggests visiting a board-certified allergist, especially if the symptoms are persistent. By visiting an allergist, you can be properly tested, diagnosed and treated for these allergies. The bright side of choosing to do so is you could potentially enjoy your summer undesirable cosmetic symptom free. 

References:

American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). "Sudden allergies: When a summer cold is much more." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 11 June 2013. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/06/130611111511.htm 

American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). "The ugly truth about summer allergies." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 10 June 2014. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/06/140610100259.htm 

Photo Credit:

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Misc_pollen.jpg

Related Articles:

American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). "The rise of spring allergies: Fact or fiction?." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 6 March 2014. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/03/140306130050.htm 

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. "Is it just a cold or is it allergies?." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 7 April 2014. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/04/140407164556.htm