Summer Allergies: Causes and Treatments

Who doesn't love a good summer allergy? There'sSo what are some of your best treatment options if
nothing better than heat, humidity, and perpetualyou're just praying for the cold weather to come
sneezing and itching to make your summersweeping in again?
memorable.Antihistamines like Zyrtec, Claritin and Claritin
What causes summer allergies? We know that pollenChildrens Allergy are probably your first option. Most
in the air makes some people sneeze, but why?over-the-counter allergy meds now come in fairly
Unfortunately, not all immune systems are createdreliable non-drowsy formulas, especially since more
equal. Some are built to be more sensitive thanantihistamines that were prescription are now
others, which is why some immune systems see allavailable OTC. Antihistamines, logically, block the
of the pollen in the air as germy invaders ready toformation of the histamines that cause allergy
wreak havoc on the body. So, rather than politelysymptoms. (If you can't train the immune system to
telling the pollen that this is a body, not a plant thatstop attacking the pollen, you can at least take out
needs to be fertilized, the immune system sets up anthe arsenal, right?)
all hands on deck alert, attacking the pollens andDecongestants help to clear out the mucus in the
releasing histamines, which trigger the itchy eyes,sinuses, which can relieve swelling and other miserable
sneezing/running nose and sinus problems that are sosymptoms of allergies.This can include things like
well-known to allergy sufferers.Mucinex, as well as various nasal sprays.
One of the best things about pollen is the fact that itFor really severe allergies, some sufferers get allergy
can travel a long way and still drive your immuneshots. They help your body build up a tolerance to
system crazy. That means that even if you don't livethe allergen until it no longer reacts to it.
in an area with a lot of allergens (ragweed,Unfortunately, this doesn't last forever, but it can be
tumbleweed, pigweed . . .) you can still suffer froma more effective, longer-lasting cure than some
allergies when the pollen migrates to your area.allergy medications.