It's summer, yet your nose is running. Are you sick? Congestion during the summertime can have a variety of different causes. Most commonly, congestion during the summer is caused by seasonal allergies and mild viral infections like colds. However, the treatment for these two conditions is very different. Learn more about causes of congestion during the summer and how to treat them.
If you’re suffering from symptoms like congestion, AFC Urgent Care Stoneham can help. Our clinic offers walk-in care 7 days a week from 8am-8pm for patients in Stoneham, MA and the surrounding communities. Simply walk-in when it’s convenient for you.
Can Seasonal Allergies Happen In the Summer?
During the summertime, you may think that you have escaped springtime allergies. However, how severe your allergies are each season depends on what you’re allergic to. For many, the increased pollen count during the early spring months is the most severe allergy season. However, there are cases where summertime can bring severe seasonal allergy symptoms. Grasses are a common summer allergy that causes many to suffer from allergy symptoms during the summertime.
How to Tell If Your Symptoms Are Caused by Allergies or an Illness
If you’re suffering from congestion during the summer months, it can be confusing trying to determine what is causing your symptoms. One way to help solve this mystery is to pay attention to how your symptoms progress. If your symptoms seem to come and go, and are worse on certain days but then improve before worsening again, you likely are suffering from allergies that spike due to exposure.
However, if your symptoms are progressively getting worse over the course of a few days, then you likely have an illness. Summer colds are common illnesses. They are caused by viruses which can be transmitted from one person to another easily.
Treatments for Congestion
The key to treating summer congestion is determining what is causing your symptoms. Treating allergy symptoms and cold symptoms involves different approaches, so determining the cause of your symptoms will ensure that you can treat them effectively. In the case of an illness, resting and allowing your body time to fight off the infection is essential. Taking over-the-counter decongestants can help significantly in reducing discomfort caused by severe congestion.
Meanwhile, allergy symptoms require maintenance during peak allergy season. Taking anti-histamines in advance of symptoms appearing can help prevent them. Similarly, using nasal sprays designed to battle allergies can help greatly reduce congestion caused by allergies.
Visit AFC Urgent Care Stoneham for Congestion Diagnosis & Treatment in Stoneham, MA
If you’re suffering from congestion during the summertime, it can be difficult to determine if your symptoms are caused by allergies or an illness. At AFC Urgent Care Stoneham, our board-certified medical providers are trained to quickly and accurately diagnose your symptoms so that you can get the necessary treatment. Our clinic never requires that you schedule an appointment in advance to receive prompt care, simply walk into the clinic for same-day care with short wait times. We accept most medical insurance plans and offer affordable care. Walk into the clinic today!
