Welcome to Summer Newsletter!
The summer season is one of a great deal of overlap. July usually has a residual pine pollen load that has not been washed away by June rains. The pine usually lasts for two to three weeks into July, and then it is gone-the last of the spring pollens. Grass pollen is the major irritant for most of July and into August. As the summer days get warmer and the inevitable dry spell arrives, the grass pollen lessens and the weeds begin. Plantain is the first weed to arrive, followed by ragweed usually in the first or second week in August. The weeds predominate until the weather cools, anywhere form the first to the last week in September, where upon the molds begin to appear and take over the role of major irritant. Summer is the only season where we typical have triggers from all four major groups: weeds, pollens, grasses and molds.

For those patients whose allergies are particularly severe the following list of recommendations will be helpful:

• Keep windows closed at night to prevent pollens or molds from drifting into the home.
• Use an air conditioner and dehumidifier to keep air clean, cool, and dry.
• Keep car windows closed when traveling.
• Minimize outdoor activity on days when the pollen count or humidity is reported to be high or on windy days when mold and pollen are blown about.
• Take vacations to a more pollen-free area, such as the beach or sea. You can enter the zip code of your vacation destination in pollen.com to find the pollen count.
• Use a paper mask when mowing or raking which stirs up pollens and molds.
• Avoid hanging sheets or clothing out to dry, pollen and molds collect on them.
• Take medications as prescribed in the recommended dosage. Do not take more medication to alleviate severe symptoms.
• Take a shower after spending time outdoors to remove pollen and mold that may be on your skin and hair.