Managing Allergies and Asthma Year-Round

Key Takeaways

• Allergies are caused by an overactive immune response to particles like pollen or dust, while asthma is a chronic condition that causes inflammation of the airways, triggered by a variety of factors, including allergens.
• These conditions can flare up year-round due to factors such as changing weather patterns and seasonal allergens, like pollen.
• Manage allergies and asthma by limiting exposure to allergens and air pollutants as much as possible, by wearing masks, cleaning your living space, and taking antihistamines.
• If your asthma and allergy symptoms become too difficult to manage, you should consult a doctor or a specialist with experience in treating these conditions.

Understanding Allergies and Asthma

Allergies are an overactive immune response to generally harmless environmental pollutants, like pollen, dust, pet dander, and other particles, known as allergens. Your immune response is intended to protect your body against harmful substances, but when it responds to harmless allergens, it causes an allergic reaction. When you breathe in, swallow, or touch these allergens, the immune response can result in symptoms like itching, watery eyes, swelling of your airways, congestion, sneezing, and other inflammation.

Asthma is a chronic condition that causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways in the lungs, resulting in symptoms like: 

• Shortness of breath
• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Chest tightness
• Difficulty doing exercise 

Asthma affects about 1 in 13 people in the U.S. and can be triggered by factors like infections, allergens, and exercise. Allergies and asthma are two distinct and separate conditions, but allergens are often the most significant triggers for asthma.

This guide discusses key considerations for allergy and asthma triggers, offers tips for managing allergies and asthma for better year-round comfort, and highlights steps you can take to manage your symptoms.

How Arizona’s Climate Affects Respiratory Health

Arizona’s climate can make conditions such as allergies and asthma particularly challenging to manage. Between the high temperatures and dry air, the climate can create an environment for allergens to thrive while also affecting the body’s ability to control them.

The Grand Canyon State’s climate affects respiratory health in all the following ways:

• Phoenix is a valley surrounded by mountains on all sides, which creates a bowl effect that traps smog and air pollutants.
• Breathing in hot air can narrow and tighten your airways, causing irritation and increasing the chances of allergens getting trapped.
• Dry, desert air can irritate airways and exacerbate the effects of respiratory conditions.
• Monsoon season can bring heavy, consistent rains and flooding, creating an environment for mold growth and allowing spores to spread. 
• Wind can kick up and spread pollutants, while hot, stagnant air can cause them to linger.

Of course, Arizona is a large state with various climates, ranging from the desert to mountainous forests, so various parts of the state may have different effects on allergies depending on the plant life and weather. 

Seasonal Triggers and How to Manage Them

Seasonal factors and weather changes can often increase allergen exposure that spark asthma attacks and allergic reactions.

Spring and Summer

Pollen is the most common spring allergen, as plants begin a new growth cycle and produce large amounts in response to warming weather—grass, tree, and weed pollen are all threats. To make matters worse, the seasonal transition to higher temperatures between spring and summer often brings an uptick in winds that push this pollen around, making it more difficult to avoid exposure. However, pet dander, dust, and mold spores that may fly after spring and summer monsoon rains can also be factors.

The types of allergens and pollutants will vary depending on the location, as some environments may be more conducive to allergens than others. For example, as a desert, Arizona is full of dust, which, when kicked up, can exacerbate asthma and cause discomfort. Arizona, and especially Phoenix, can get particularly windy in the spring, which can kick up dust and spread pollen further. Meanwhile, places with more trees may be less dusty, but may have higher pollen counts.

Masks can be particularly effective at managing seasonal triggers and exposure to allergens during peak pollen season and windy days. It’s also a good idea to monitor pollen counts daily so you can plan activities around your likelihood of exposure.

Fall and Winter

During fall and winter, the most significant triggers are dust mites, pests, and pet dander, with pollen being a present but often less harsh factor in some places. Fall and winter bring all the following triggers:

• In places with mild winters, like Arizona, plants like ragweed may produce pollen year-round.
• Fall rains and winter weather can also bring moisture that causes mold growth and leads to the spread of mold spores. 
• Seasonal illnesses may also exacerbate allergies and asthma, as infections can trigger asthma flare-ups and affect the immune response.
• Air is even drier in winter, increasing the risk of the weather that aggravates allergic reactions and asthma.
• Holiday allergies from indoor allergens like Christmas decorations and candles. 

During the winter, you can manage triggers by staying hydrated and mitigating the presence of allergens. Drinking water can control histamine levels, the chemical that triggers allergy symptoms, and combat dry nasal passages and airways that can make allergies and asthma more uncomfortable. As you spend more time indoors during colder weather, use high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters that can limit allergen exposure.

Lifestyle Tips for Year-Round Allergy and Asthma Control

Although you cannot cure allergies or asthma, you can take steps to mitigate them and reduce the likelihood of flare-ups by limiting exposure to allergens. Control allergic reactions and asthma triggers with these tips:

• Wear a mask: Masks can prevent you from breathing in allergens and pollutants that cause asthma or allergy flare-ups. 
• Consider an antihistamine: An over-the-counter antihistamine can help you manage mild allergy symptoms by controlling the immune response to allergens.
• Monitor pollen counts: Many weather agencies also track daily pollen counts, which can provide a helpful consideration when planning your daily activities.
• Limit outdoor activities when needed: When pollen counts are high, or it is windy outside, consider limiting outdoor exercise and other activities to avoid.
• Control symptoms: Medications like nasal sprays can help to reduce the effect of symptoms, even if unable to prevent allergies entirely.
• Maintain a clean space: Regularly cleaning your home and changing air filters can help reduce your risk of exposure to allergens.

If you experience allergies or asthma symptoms, no one step is going to eradicate them completely. It’s best to take all of the steps above to maintain your strongest respiratory health.

When to See an Allergy or Asthma Specialist in Arizona

You should see a specialist when your allergies or asthma symptoms become disruptive to your daily life, are severe or persistent, or if none of your at-home treatment methods are providing relief. If you’ve already tried over-the-counter medications, an allergy specialist can offer additional suggestions for treatment options. A medical provider in Arizona can help you develop a personalized treatment plan based on the severity of your symptoms.

Advanced Treatments and Long-Term Relief Options

If at-home methods are not successful in providing allergy and asthma relief, your doctor may recommend a more advanced treatment, such as a prescription for immunotherapy or medication like corticosteroids. Common advanced treatment and long-term relief options include:

• Corticosteroids: Inhalers or medications with corticosteroids can reduce inflammation in the airways and provide relief from asthma symptoms.
• Allergy shots: Allergy shots introduce trace amounts of allergens to build resistance and tolerance in the body while reducing allergic reactions.
• Leukotriene modifiers: These medications are taken as pills by blocking cells known as leukotrienes, which cause inflammation. 

Although these methods may not provide an instant solution to your symptoms, they can help manage symptoms and offer relief. Committing to treatments and continuing to follow the advice of your healthcare provider can offer a significant improvement to your quality of life. 

Trust Arrowhead Health for Allergy and Asthma Treatment

Allergy and asthma flare-ups can arise year-round due to seasonal allergens and environmental factors that aggravate asthma symptoms. While limiting exposure may help, there is only so much you can do on your own when managing allergy and asthma symptoms. When at-home strategies aren’t providing the relief you hope for, more advanced treatment may be the best step forward.

If you’re experiencing uncomfortable allergy or asthma symptoms, the doctors at Arrowhead Health Centers can help. As a skilled medical provider in Arizona, we’ll help you develop a personalized treatment plan to address your symptoms. With three locations across the Phoenix Valley, it’s easy to schedule a same-day or next-day appointment with our friendly and empathetic staff.

Schedule your appointment with our friendly staff today and build a plan for wellness. 

Frequently Asked Questions