Summer Allergies

Flat illustration of summer sun over tall grass

Summer Allergies Overview

As spring starts to fade away and heat blazes, people suffering from spring allergies would start getting some relief. But that’s not all. Various summer allergies flare up with the heat. Same allergens as in fall or spring may cause summer allergies too, and the symptoms associated with summer allergies can be just as severe as in the spring and fall seasons.

 The seasonal allergy or hay fever may cause eye irritation, nasal irritation, respiratory irritation, skin irritation, or digestive irritation, depending on the individual. Summer allergies are triggered during the late spring from early May until the advent of fall.

Causes of Summer Allergies

Trees are done with their pollen promotions during the springs or by late spring. So usually, grasses and weeds are left to trigger summer allergies. There are different types of plants that most likely make you sneeze and sniffle in summers. These plants include:

Weeds:

  • Ragweed
  • Cockleweed
  • Pigweed
  • Russian thistle
  • Sagebrush
  • Tumbleweed

Grasses

  • Bermuda
  • Blue grasses
  • Orchard
  • Red top
  • Sweet vernal
  • Timothy

Ragweed is a major late-summer trigger, and its pollen travels far on the wind, so it can affect you even if it doesn’t grow nearby. During the grass pollen season in spring and summer, pollen levels are highest in the evening (FDA).

Worst Smog In Summer

Air pollution during the summer months can intensify your symptoms. The most common is the ground level ozone layer. Smog appears from the mixture of sunlight and chemicals in atmosphere from the city traffic. Ozone clouds start to appear in some cities due to powerful sunshine and calm winds.

Stinging Creatures Are More Active

When stinging insects such as bees, wasps, yellow jackets, hornets, fire ants, and other insects, get active, allergic reactions may occur. A run-in with one of them could result in a life-threatening situation if you have some serious allergy with them.

These insects may cause some mild symptoms like itching and inflammation around the area. But sometimes they may lead to allergic reactions that are too severe to survive. Your tounge might swell and throat would feel sharp pain. Some people may feel dizzy, pass out or go into a shock like situation. These conditions may need emergency assistance and you’d need to get instant medical help.

Warm Air Encourages The Growth Of Tiny Organisms

Mold thrives in humid and warm environments, such as the basement and toilets. Their spores float around in the air, triggering an allergic reaction.

Dust mites, microscopic creatures that live in bedding, upholstery and carpet, thrive in warm, humid conditions and cause dust allergy. Keeping humidity between 30% and 50% helps (ACAAI).

Symptoms of Summer Allergies

They are pretty much the same as would have suffered in spring already.

How Are Summer Allergies Analyzed

Your doctor will inquire about your symptoms as well as your allergy background. They can make suitable treatment plans for you.

They may refer you to an allergist for testing. Skin testing is the most common method: a tiny amount of allergen is placed on the skin, and a small raised bump means you may be allergic. Blood tests are an alternative (MedlinePlus).

Treatment of Summer Allergies

Summer allergy treatment includes medications as well as some home remedies. Let us have a look into these:

Medication

There are various over-the-counter or prescribed medications available to treat summer allergy symptoms.

Antihistamines: These are used to relieve symptoms such as itchy and watery eyes and nose, runny nose, and sneezing. These may be available in the form of tablets, nasal sprays, or liquid.

Corticosteroids: Intranasal corticosteroid sprays are the single most effective drug class for allergic rhinitis, easing congestion, sneezing, itching and runny nose (ACAAI). Many brands are sold without a prescription (MedlinePlus).

Decongestants: These relieve stuffiness by shrinking swollen nasal tissue. Don’t use decongestant nasal sprays for more than 3 days, because longer use can cause rebound congestion (MedlinePlus). The FDA has proposed removing oral phenylephrine as an OTC decongestant because it doesn’t work when taken by mouth; as of October 2026 that proposal is not yet final (FDA).

Leukotriene inhibitors: These prescription tablets (such as montelukast) block leukotrienes, chemicals that drive allergy symptoms. They can cause side effects such as anxiety or depression in some people, so tell your doctor about any mental health history first (MedlinePlus).

Eye drops: Eye drops may be used for treating eye allergies due to grass weeds and smog. They can provide temporary relief from redness, itchiness, and swelling in the eyes.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is the one treatment that can change how your immune system reacts to allergens over time. Doctors often recommend it for people who don’t get enough relief from medicines, have side effects from them, or can’t avoid their triggers.

Allergy shots and sublingual (under-the-tongue) tablets are the two forms of immunotherapy. A course of allergy shots typically lasts three to five years. Sublingual tablets, approved by the FDA in 2014, cover only a few allergens (certain grass and ragweed pollens and dust mites) (ACAAI).

Home Remedies

Natural or home remedies may bring comfort to people suffering from summer allergies. These remedies may include:

Steam inhalation

Breathing warm, moist air, such as steam from a hot shower, may temporarily ease a stuffy nose. Don’t lean over a pot of boiling water, which can cause serious burns, especially in children.

Saline solution

A saline rinse or spray clears mucus and washes allergens out of the nose and sinuses, and can be used as often as needed (ACAAI). If you mix your own rinse, use distilled or boiled-then-cooled water (MedlinePlus).

Conclusion

Summer allergies may cause severe allergic reactions. However, if proper prevention and precautions are considered, one may be able to reduce the symptoms. Try to stay indoors and avoid exposure to air pollution and foreign stimulants. Once an attacked occurs, you should consult your doctor and use proper medications to avoid serious health conditions.

Written by: Madiha Ather Hashmi (April 16, 2021)

This article is for general education and is not medical advice. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about your symptoms and before starting, stopping, or combining any medicine.

What actually helps

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HEPA air purifier & filters

A portable HEPA purifier sized to the room can lower airborne particles such as pollen and dust; it only works if you replace filters on schedule. (EPA: Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home)

See the Levoit Core 300 on Amazon

Saline nasal rinse kit

Rinsing with saline can clear pollen from the nose; use distilled, sterile or boiled-then-cooled water, never plain tap water. (FDA: Is rinsing your sinuses with neti pots safe?)

See the NeilMed Sinus Rinse kit on Amazon

Dust-mite pillow & mattress covers

Allergists recommend zippered, allergen-proof encasings for pillows, mattresses and box springs, plus hot-water washing of bedding. (ACAAI: Dust Allergy)

See Hospitology zippered pillow encasements on Amazon

Summer Allergy FAQs

What causes summer allergies?

Mostly grass and weed pollen, plus mold, smog and stinging insects (ACAAI).

When is grass pollen highest?

In the evening during spring and summer (FDA).

Can insect stings be dangerous?

Yes. Stings can trigger anaphylaxis; use epinephrine and call 911 for severe reactions (MedlinePlus).

What is the best treatment for summer allergies?

Nasal steroid sprays are the most effective drug class for allergic rhinitis (ACAAI).

Sources

Looking for more allergy types? Find a full list of other allergy types here.

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