Many of us live in Florida to avoid the harsh seasonal changes in weather, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t have seasons. During the summer, certain changes take place in the world around us that can cause seasonal allergies to flare.
Our team here at Soffer Health Institute, led by Dr. Ariel Soffer, understands how seasonal allergies can wreak havoc on your life during certain times of the year, and we’re here to help.
Here’s a look at what makes seasonal allergies so difficult and how we can better manage them so you can enjoy your time outdoors.
Summer and spring are the seasons when plants grow in earnest, which sends pollen into the air in great numbers. During the winter months, many plants go dormant and don’t release pollen, but with longer hours of daylight and warmer temps, plants come alive and release these potential allergens. Complicating matters for Florida dwellers is our famous humidity, which can trap the pollen in the air.
If you’re one of the nearly 8% of adults in the United States who suffer from hay fever, pollen is often enemy number one. As your body greets these allergens, it triggers your immune system, which can lead to:
In many cases, seasonal allergies can also leave you feeling fatigued, partly because you’re not getting the sleep you need because of breathing difficulties.
If you struggle with some of the symptoms we mention above during certain months, the first step is to come see us so that we can test you for allergies. Once we identify the likely culprits, we can take several steps to minimize your seasonal allergies, including:
This last treatment has seen great success among seasonal allergy sufferers, as we introduce the allergen to your body in small doses in order to build immunity.
The other item on this list that we want to underscore is a trigger avoidance plan. Most weather resources are very good about including pollen or air quality numbers, and we urge you to track those and plan your time outside accordingly.
You should also take steps to prevent pollen from entering your home by closing your windows and installing a good air filter to clean the inside air. To help guide you on air filtration, the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology has these recommendations.
If you’re tired of dealing with allergies that prevent you from enjoying the summer months, contact one of our three offices in Aventura, Weston, Florida, to set up an appointment.
