Is it Summer Allergies, a Cold or Something More?

Posted on: July 27, 2020

Elderly man blowing nose into a tissue while outdoors

When you think of seasonal allergies, you may think first of ‘spring allergies’, but the truth is, you can suffer from allergies year-round, especially here in Melbourne, Florida. You may find yourself waking up one morning and feel like you have a stuffy nose, sore/irritated throat, possible chest congestion, and watery eyes. You get a sinking feeling and think what the culprit could be. Is it a cold? Is it allergies? Or is it Coronavirus / COVID-19? Don’t panic or worry until you see your doctor, monitor your symptoms, how you are feeling, and if you have a fever. There are more than 50 million Americans that suffer from allergies, so if you’re otherwise healthy, you may just need to make some lifestyle changes or possibly take allergy medication. Schedule a consultation with the physicians of Suntree Internal Medicine to receive a proper diagnosis.

Main Allergy Symptoms

Allergy symptoms range in severity from person to person, you may experience one symptom or all:

  • Red, Itchy, Watering Eyes
  • Sneezing
  • Increased Mucus Production
  • Runny, Itchy or Blocked Nasal Passages
  • Itchy Sinuses or Ear Canals, Sore Throat
  • Postnasal Drainage

Less Common Symptoms

  • Shortness of Breath
  • Coughing
  • Wheezing
  • Headache

The hotter, rainy months we experience here in Melbourne, Florida and Brevard County as a whole can bring about an entirely new set of not only pollen but also allergens, that simply aren’t present in the cooler fall and winter months. This is especially true for mold allergens, from late summer into early fall, certain outdoor mold types are at their peak. Mold thrives in humid environments, caused by the soaring temperatures we experience coupled with frequent rain. The perfect environment is set, which allows the mold spores to travel throughout the air just as pollen does.

Other Common Causes of Summer Allergies Include, but are not limited to; 

  • Grass Pollen
  • Tree Pollen
  • Ragweed
  • Various Plants and Foliage

Depending on your symptoms, it can be difficult to tell the difference between allergies and a cold. The distinctions are important, especially when it comes time to try/choose treatment methods, this is where the knowledgeable physicians of Suntree Internal Medicine can evaluate your symptoms and advise a plan of treatment. There are a few general key differences between a cold and allergies. Allergy or seasonal allergy symptoms typically happen around the same time each year and are triggered by exposure to the allergen, like mold, pollen etc. If you wake up in the morning with the above-mentioned symptoms, you can ask yourself if you spent a longer time outdoors recently, or if the area has experienced a lot of rain recently. Another distinction is that a common cold typically lasts 3-5 days, whereas allergies can last for weeks or even months. 

Additionally, although some individuals may suffer from seasonal allergies, there are those that suffer from year-round allergies (also known as perennial allergies). No matter the cause of your symptoms, you can rest assured that our friendly staff and physicians will always be here to assist you to the best of our ability. Contact us today to schedule an appointment, the health and safety of our patients is of the utmost importance to our staff!