鈥淲e tend to think of allergies as more of a spring issue because many of us are allergic to tree pollen, but grass pollen tends to peak in the summer months and can cause just as severe allergy symptoms,鈥 says Dr. Michael Dosik, MD, an internist with Medical 91桃色 and a contributor to labfinder.com. 鈥淧eople also tend to spend more time outside in the summer months, which increases people鈥檚 exposure time to outdoor allergens.鈥
It might also help to understand what鈥檚 going on in the body when we experience allergies (in August or any time of the year).
鈥淎llergies are when our immune system overreacts to harmless substances such as pollen, dust or mold,鈥 Dr. Dosik says. 鈥淲hen exposed to one of these allergens, our immune system releases histamine and other chemicals that cause inflammation, itching, sneezing and watery eyes.鈥
Dr. Dosik adds that it鈥檚 not the allergen itself causing all of the above symptoms. 鈥淚t鈥檚 our own immune system鈥檚 exaggerated response,鈥 he explains.
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