Summer allergies: how to recognise them and how to tell them apart from a cold

Summer brings holidays and time spent outdoors for many people, but for those with allergies it can mean persistent sneezing, irritated eyes, and difficulty breathing – symptoms easily mistaken for a common cold. Dr. Petruțescu Brîndușa, an allergist, explained to Digi24.ro the most common summer allergies, what triggers them, and how they can be recognised.

These conditions are often treated superficially or confused with a simple cold, which can delay the correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

What allergies are

Allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to normally harmless substances called allergens. The body mistakenly perceives them as a threat and triggers an immune response whose intensity varies from person to person.

The most common allergies during the warm season

According to the doctor, during summer, allergic reactions increase significantly due to high pollen concentrations, rising temperatures, and humidity. The most common forms are:

• Grass pollen allergy – caused by grasses and cereals such as lawn grass, fescue, cocksfoot, and timothy grass. These plants release large quantities of pollen, particularly between May and July, with particles carried by the wind over long distances.
• Weed pollen allergy – common towards the end of summer and early autumn, caused mainly by ragweed, an invasive plant that produces large quantities of pollen and can trigger reactions even at low concentrations.
• Mould allergy – encouraged by high temperatures and humidity, both outdoors and indoors. Spores released into the air can cause reactions in sensitive individuals; mould frequently develops on decomposing vegetation, in gardens, as well as in poorly ventilated bathrooms or cellars.
• Insect sting allergy – the risk increases in summer, with stings from bees, wasps, bumblebees, or ants. Local reactions usually occur, but in severe cases anaphylaxis can develop, which is a medical emergency.
• Oral allergy syndrome – people allergic to pollen may react after eating certain raw fruits or vegetables, due to the similarity between proteins found in pollen and those in certain foods.

How summer allergies manifest

Symptoms depend on the type of allergen and each person's sensitivity. The most common symptoms are repeated sneezing, watery nasal discharge, nasal congestion, and an itchy nose. Eye symptoms may also appear – red eyes, excessive tearing, and an itching sensation. Some people experience an irritating cough, wheezing, and difficulty breathing, particularly if they have asthma. In certain cases, skin rashes, urticaria, or local reactions following insect stings may occur.

In adults, allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis predominate, with symptoms appearing at certain times of year and worsening after exposure to pollen – during walks, gardening, or outdoor exercise. People with allergic asthma may experience episodes of coughing, a sensation of chest tightness, and breathing difficulties.

In children, the signs are sometimes harder to notice: in addition to sneezing and nasal discharge, repeated rubbing of the nose, mouth breathing, snoring, sleep disturbances, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and fatigue may all occur. Left untreated, these symptoms can affect sleep and academic performance.

How to tell a seasonal allergy apart from a cold

Allergies begin suddenly, immediately after contact with the allergen. Sneezing occurs in bursts, nasal discharge is clear and watery, and itching of the nose, eyes, or roof of the mouth is a characteristic sign. There is no fever, and symptoms can last weeks or even months, returning at the same time each year.

A cold, by contrast, develops gradually, generally lasting between seven and ten days, and nasal discharge often becomes thick and discoloured. Itching is rare, but a fever may appear.

Measures to reduce allergen exposure

For pollen allergy:

• monitoring daily pollen counts;
• limiting outdoor activities during periods of high pollen;
• keeping windows closed on days with elevated concentrations;
• using air conditioning with clean filters;
• showering and changing clothes immediately upon returning home;
• avoiding drying clothes outside.

For mould allergy:

• ventilating the home regularly;
• reducing excessive indoor humidity;
• removing mould-affected areas;
• using dehumidifiers when necessary.

For insect sting allergy:

• avoiding strong fragrances in open spaces;
• wearing clothing that covers as much skin as possible;
• avoiding eating sweet foods and drinks outdoors near insects;
• using protective nets.

When an allergy consultation is necessary

A specialist consultation is recommended when symptoms persist for several weeks, recur every year, or do not respond to standard treatments. It is also necessary in cases of breathing difficulties, suspected allergic reaction to insect stings, or when symptoms affect sleep, professional activity, or academic performance. An allergist can identify the responsible allergens through skin tests or blood tests and can establish a personalised treatment plan.

Treatment is chosen according to the type of allergy and the severity of symptoms. Options include oral antihistamines, corticosteroid nasal sprays, nasal antihistamines, anti-allergic eye drops, treatments for controlling allergic asthma, and an adrenaline auto-injector for people at risk of anaphylaxis.

In certain cases of respiratory allergies, the doctor may recommend allergen-specific immunotherapy, also known as allergy vaccination – the only method that can modify the course of the disease by reducing the body's sensitivity to the responsible allergen, according to Dr. Petruțescu Brîndușa.