Health Conditions / Allergies

If your pets sleep in your bed with you, there’s a higher chance you’ll end up with outside invaders in your bed. “Dogs bringing in ticks [which then attach] to owners is a very real and not uncommon situation,” Dr. Russo says. “Likewise, cats go outside and may hunt and kill other animals with potentially dangerous infections, like tularemia, and can infect owners.” Allergens—particularly dust mites—are the biggest cause for concern.While bacteria and sweat aren’t likely to build up enough to make you sick, dust mites sure can. Obviously, not everyone is allergic to dust mites, but if you are, it’s more important to regularly clean your sheets and comforter.“The most common types of allergens found in mattress and pillows and comforters and blankets are dust mites,” Denisa E. Ferastraoaru, MD, assistant professor of medicine in allergy and immunology and attending physician at Einstein/Montefiore and Jacobi Medical Centers, tells SELF. “Dust mites are small, little creatures. They live wherever we live because they feed on our skin flakes.” And they’re most commonly found in the bedroom, she adds.It’s sort of impossible to rid your bedroom of dust mites—everybody has them, no matter how clean you keep the house, says Dr. Ferastraoaru.Other allergens can linger on your comforter, too. If you sit on your bed in your outside clothes, you can transfer things like pollen, grass, and ragweed onto your comforter. And if your dog or cat is running around outside and then sleeping in your bed, they can drag in these seasonal allergens, too. This may cause problems for you, depending on how sensitive you are, Dr. Steele says.How often should you wash your comforter then? You should generally aim to wash your comforter once a week. There are some logistical challenges that make it difficult to wash a large, bulky comforter this often, which is typically what experts recommend to keep linens fresh and minimize allergens. Another option: Slip your comforter into an allergy-proof cover, and wash that once a week, Ryan Steele, DO, board-certified allergist-immunologist and assistant professor of clinical medicine at Yale School of Medicine, tells SELF. “Adding an allergy cover, which might also be called a dust mite cover, will add an extra layer of protection to lock in dust mites and reduce the number of allergens,” Dr. Steele says.These covers work by basically locking dust mites inside the comforter so that they can’t get out and be inhaled, Dr. Ferastraoaru explains. “The fabric is very tight and will not let dust mites and dust mite allergens through.” Even better: If you’re in the market for a new comforter, put an allergy cover on it before you use it the first time to prevent dust mites from getting inside in the first place, she says.Dr. Steele recommends washing your sheets and all covers, including pillow and comforter covers, once a week on the hottest setting possible to reduce the number of allergens. If you have seasonal allergies, use the dryer. “A lot of people like to get that fresh scent on linens by drying them on the outside clothesline. That may be great for the smell, but that is a giant pollen trap,” Dr. Steele says. “Using the dryer is going to help reduce the load of the allergens.”If your allergies are acting up despite regularly washing your sheets and comforter cover, you may need to kick your pet out of the bed, Dr. Steele says. It could be a difficult transition if you’re both used to cuddling all night, but you’ll ultimately sleep more soundly if you eliminate all potential sources of allergens. No matter who’s in bed with you, it’s worth it to keep things clean.Related:

The days are getting shorter, the air is getting crisper, the leaves are changing colors**—**and fall allergies are in full swing. Most of us associate seasonal allergies with springtime, but more and more people have been battling runny noses, itchy eyes, and scratchy throats come autumn.If you feel like you’re allergic to October itself, it’s not all in your head. A growing body of research suggests that pollen seasons—which, in the fall, typically lasts between early August through November—are now 21% longer than they were in 1990. And as the air swells with microscopic allergens, your immune system triggers all kinds of unpleasant symptoms if you’re one of up to 60 million people in the US who deal with allergic rhinitis (aka hay fever) each year, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).So, if your sinuses are a clogged-up mess right now, you’re in good company. The number of people affected by seasonal allergies is only expected to grow, research shows, and you may have climate change to blame for that. Here’s why fall allergies feel especially awful lately—and how to deal if you feel like you’ve been hit over the head with them.Why do fall allergies seem to be getting worse each year?As the earth’s climate has warmed, the plants that cause seasonal allergies—most commonly ragweed in the fall—have had longer growing seasons. These plants once died out by October when the winter frost typically arrived and killed them off, but the first frost often doesn’t appear until November now, depending on where you live. “As warmer temperatures extend into October and November, plants like ragweed are continuing to produce pollen later into the year,” Melanie Carver, Chief Mission Officer for the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), tells SELF.On top of that, warmer weather can stifle airflow, the AAFA notes, which can cause ozone gas and other forms of air pollution to build, warming the climate even further. And so the cycle repeats: The rising temps further extend growing seasons, which “are exposing people to higher pollen counts for longer periods of time,” Carver says.Some projections suggest that if carbon dioxide levels continue to rise as they have been, levels of ragweed pollen will double between the years 2000 and 2060. This will likely exacerbate symptoms in people who already have seasonal allergies and possibly lead to a spike in the number of people who experience them.How to deal when your fall allergy symptoms feel unbearableFirst, take note of your symptoms. During the fall, it can be easy to confuse seasonal allergies with the common cold, flu, or even COVID. But symptoms like sneezing, watery or itchy eyes, and postnasal drip are key signs that you’re probably dealing with allergies, says Carver. Another important thing to note: Allergies do not cause a fever like the flu or COVID can. (Here’s a handy chart that breaks all the potential symptoms down.)

Blowing your nose may offer in-the-moment relief, but it’s never anyone’s idea of a good time. Sometimes—especially when your snot is suddenly a striking shade of green—it can be gag-inducing or even feel a bit worrisome. So, wouldn’t it be nice to know what your snot color means? Like, does it actually say anything about your health?Regardless of what you see on that tissue, your snot is doing its job. Snot is another name for mucus, which is essentially a lubricant that lines your eyes, sinuses, mouth, stomach, lungs, and intestines, according to the National Institutes of Health.“Mucus is actually very important,” Stacey Tutt Gray, MD, director of the Sinus Center at Massachusetts Eye and Ear in Boston, tells SELF. When it comes to the mucus in your sinuses, “it warms and humidifies the air you’re breathing in through the nose so that it’s a comfortable humidity and temperature when the air reaches your lungs,” she explains. Mucus is also involved in your body’s immune system. “It’s our first line of defense against viruses and bacteria that enter the nasal cavity,” she says, as it contains important antibodies that help fight infection.Your mucus becomes a problem when there’s too much or too little of the stuff. Too little, and your sinuses can be uncomfortably dry. Too much, and it’s snot city—but this actually serves a purpose. Your body will start churning out more mucus to trap allergens or bacteria, Justin Turner, MD, PhD, associate professor of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, tells SELF. Certain health issues, like some illnesses and allergies, can therefore alter the amount, consistency, or color of those secretions.Your mucus alone won’t definitively provide a diagnosis, but it can offer some clues about what’s going on. Here’s what your snot color might mean, how to deal with the congestion, and when it’s time to see a doctor.Clear snotNormal, healthy snot is clear, thin, watery, and plentiful, Erich P. Voigt, MD, associate professor in the department of otolaryngology at NYU Langone Medical Center, tells SELF. “Our bodies produce about 1 liter of mucus and saliva a day, but we don’t notice the normal production.” What’s the stuff made of? Mostly water, with some proteins, antibodies, and dissolved salts in the mix, according to Scripps Health.That said, you’re not totally in the clear just because your snot is. If your snot is clear, but also runny and more abundant than usual, that often means your nose is working overtime to try to get rid of something in there that your body doesn’t like, typically an allergen or irritant, Raj Sindwani MD, an otolaryngologist at the Cleveland Clinic, tells SELF. This is a classic symptom of seasonal allergies. “If it’s the start of spring and all of a sudden your nose gets stuffy and starts running and it’s clear,” it’s likely you’re having an allergic reaction, Dr. Voigt says. Other common seasonal allergy symptoms can include sneezing, and an itchy nose, ears, eyes, and mouth, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA).Runniness that is sudden and short-lived can be due to irritants in the environment, such as pollutants in the air, certain fragrances, or secondhand smoke, Dr. Sindwani says. Or, suddenly drippy discharge on a chilly day could actually just be water condensing as the cold air is warmed in your nasal passages and runs out your nostrils, according to Harvard Health.Excess clear snot paired with other symptoms like a cough, fever, or general feeling of blah-ness that hangs around for three or four days may also signal the beginning of a mild upper respiratory virus, like a brief cold, Dr. Voigt says. In addition to runny nose and congestion, respiratory infection symptoms include cough, sore throat, headache, low-grade fever, facial pressure, sneezing, muscle aches, and fatigue.1Back to topCloudy or white snotColorless but cloudy, thick nasal mucus (the kind that clogs up your nose and doesn’t seem to budge no matter how much you blow) signals congestion that may be due to a couple of things. One possibility is a chronic allergy, like if you’re allergic to dust. “It’s everywhere year round, so you won’t feel that runniness anymore, you’ll just feel stuffy all the time and the nasal mucus might be thicker and more plentiful than usual,” Dr. Voigt says.

Eczema can cause pink to brownish-gray patches of inflamed skin, depending on your skin tone, especially on your hands, feet, ankles, wrists, neck, upper chest, eyelids, and around the elbows and knees. One thing to keep in mind: “Eczema is more commonly found on the inside of the knees and elbows,” Dr. Wassef says. “Psoriasis is more common on the outside of the elbows and knees.”Those rashes are a little different from what you’d see compared to, say, plaque psoriasis, board-certified dermatologist Ife J. Rodney, MD, founding director of Eternal Dermatology + Aesthetics and professor of dermatology at Howard University and George Washington University, tells SELF. Psoriasis tends to be more raised and can have that silver or grayish scale on top of the irritation. While both eczema and psoriasis can cause itching, the latter can also be painful, Dr. Rodney says. A stinging or burning sensation is also common with psoriasis.The main triggers also tend to be different. Eczema triggers, per the AAD, tend to be irritants or allergens that touch the skin and set off a reaction, like certain foods or ingredients in skin-care products and soaps. In this case, it’s common for the rash to just show up in the one affected spot, Dr. Rodney points out. Psoriasis triggers aren’t as cut-and-dry; flares are typically related to stress, weather changes, illnesses and infections, skin injuries, and certain medications, according to the AAD, but contact with irritating substances may worsen affected areas as well.Psoriasis vs. hivesHives are raised, itchy bumps that can form on your skin in response to a trigger, like an allergen or an infection, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI). While you probably won’t confuse plaque psoriasis with hives, the differences are a little less clear when it comes to guttate psoriasis, since this type of psoriasis shows up as tear-drop-shaped, inflamed lesions that can look similar to hives.However, there are a few differences in the look and feel between guttate psoriasis and hives. “Hives usually start and end within 24 hours, while psoriasis can last for weeks and months,” Dr. Wassef says. Hives are also “very itchy” and can get more swollen when you scratch, she adds, which isn’t usually the case with guttate psoriasis.Guttate psoriasis also usually follows an upper respiratory infection like strep throat, according to Mount Sinai experts, and the bumps tend to be scaly. Hives, on the other hand, tend to resemble swollen bug bites, per the ACAAI.Nail psoriasis vs. fungal infectionIf one or more of your nails start to become discolored, lift up from the nail bed, or even appear crumbly, it’s easy to think you might have some kind of fungal infection. But all of those can be signs of nail psoriasis as well, which the AAD says about half of people with plaque psoriasis will experience at some point. Both conditions can appear quite similar, but there are a few differences. With nail psoriasis, “the nail can develop pitting, stripes, and become so brittle that they crumble,” Dr. Rodney says, but there often isn’t as noticeable discoloration. With a fungal nail infection, the entire nail will often turn yellow or brownish. Fungal infections can also be stinky, per Dr. Rodney.

If you regularly wake up with your face nuzzled against a furry rump, it’s probably safe to say your bedtime routine includes beckoning a Fido or Fluffy into bed for a snooze. Dogs and cats are no strangers to the comforts of human beds, according to a study published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings,1 with around half of pet owners saying they allow their cat or dog to sleep in their bedroom. (It’s me, I’m pet owners.)But all it takes is a what-the-hell-are-you-doing stare from a new partner to realize that not everyone feels comfortable inviting a furry friend into their personal sleep space. Whether or not to co-sleep with your animals is a controversial question that can set off all sorts of debates between bedfellows of the human sort. Some may even argue that sharing a bed with a dog or cat can be hazardous to your health.So let’s settle this once and for all—with the help of an infectious disease specialist.What could happen if you sleep with your pet?Generally speaking, letting a dog or cat sleep in your bed is safe for most adults, Luis Ostrosky, MD, an infectious disease specialist at Memorial Hermann UT Health Houston, tells SELF. In fact, Dr. Ostrosky is a member of the dog-in-bed club himself. Grover, his family’s Airedale terrier, gets cozy under the covers nightly. However, Dr. Otrosky cautions that there are a few things you should keep in mind if you do choose to share a sleeping surface with your pet.The big one is harmful bacteria: Though it’s fairly rare, pets can transmit certain bacteria to their owners. There are a few to keep in mind so that you can see a doctor if you suspect something is up. If your pet licks a cut or scrape on your skin, you could get a pasteurella multocida skin infection,2 says Dr. Ostrosky. Pasteurella multocida will cause the injury to become swollen, inflamed, and tender. There’s also capnocytophaga, he explains, which can spread to your skin from close contact with a pet and may cause blisters around the wound, pus drainage, fever, and chills. People who have compromised immune systems due to cancer treatment or immunosuppressant medications are at a higher risk of complications from these types of bacteria—especially infections from capnocytophaga, which can quickly progress and even become fatal, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).And even though Fluffy licking your arm might seem sweet, he could still be carrying the bacteria staphylococcus aureus, also known as MRSA, an antibiotic-resistant bacteria that can be passed to humans. MRSA can cause deep, infected abscesses on your skin.Last up is a parasite called toxoplasma gondii, which could be an unwelcome gift to people who cozy up with their cats at bedtime. It’s actually a pretty common parasite—11% of people in the U.S. over the age of six carry this parasite without having symptoms.3 However, this parasite can lead to an infection called toxoplasmosis, which causes fever, chills, headaches, and other neurological symptoms. Again, people with compromised immune systems are at a higher risk of developing this kind of complication. And if you’re pregnant and a cat owner, you should talk with your ob-gyn about toxoplasmosis, as this type of infection can affect the fetus, says Dr. Ostrosky.

Many people with allergies experience mild symptoms, like itchy eyes, that are annoying but generally harmless. But some allergic reactions called anaphylaxis can be so severe that they become life-threatening. Anyone with allergies can experience anaphylaxis. However, some people with other underlying medical conditions, such as allergic asthma, may be even more susceptible to having a severe reaction, meaning it’s especially important for them to have anaphylaxis on their radar.Normally, your immune system attacks potentially harmful substances like viruses and bacteria to keep you feeling healthy, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM). In people with allergies, the immune system attacks a benign substance, like food or tree pollen. The same basic process happens during anaphylaxis, except the reaction and symptoms are more severe1 and affect the entire body rather than an isolated area, like the upper respiratory system.About 1 in 50 people in the U.S. have experienced anaphylaxis, but some experts believe the rate is even higher, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). You can’t predict when you or someone you love may have a really severe allergic reaction, but you can identify anaphylaxis and react quickly if you ever need to.Here’s what happens during anaphylaxis:First, you are exposed to an allergen.Allergens are essentially substances that trigger an allergic response in your body. They can be ingested, touched, injected, or inhaled, according to the AAFA. Allergens vary by person, but foods are one of the primary causes of anaphylaxis, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Common culprits include:EggsCow’s milkMany types of nuts, including peanuts, cashews, and walnutsShellfish such as shrimp, lobster, and clamsFishSoy, which is found in numerous foods like edamame, ice cream, and tempehWheat, a common ingredient in bread, cereals, and pastaMedicines (most often injectable medications), insect venom from bees and wasps, and latex can also trigger anaphylaxis, according to the Mayo Clinic. Very rarely, some people experience anaphylaxis during intense physical exercise, such as running, for unknown reasons, according to the Cleveland Clinic.Your body reacts, setting off a wave of symptoms.Once your immune system senses that you have been exposed to an allergen, it launches an attack, releasing inflammatory chemicals such as histamine to fight off the perceived invader.“Anaphylactic symptoms occur because your immune system is releasing several chemicals in large quantities after the allergen exposure,” Thanai Pongdee, MD, an immunologist from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., tells SELF.An anaphylactic reaction typically occurs within minutes or seconds of exposure to an allergen, according to the Mayo Clinic. But anaphylaxis can also be delayed for hours, which can make it a little more difficult to figure out the potential trigger.

Back to topWhat are the most common allergic reaction symptoms?Symptoms of an allergic reaction can range from mild, localized flare-ups in a specific part of your body to severe allergic reactions that set off alarm bells throughout your body. Here’s what to look out for.Congestion, sneezing, and a runny noseWhen you breathe in an allergen like tree pollen, mold, or dust, your immune system triggers the release of histamines from cells inside your nasal passageways, Dr. Abdeldaim says. This causes “allergic rhinitis,” or inflammation in your nose, and in turn an uptick in the production of mucus. Seasonal and year-round allergens alike can trigger an itchy, stuffed-up nose, sneezing attacks, and postnasal drip (that uncomfortable sensation as mucus from your sinuses trickles down your throat).You might feel like you just have the common cold, Dr. Tam says. But one way to tell the difference is that a viral infection typically clears within one to two weeks, whereas allergy symptoms are chronic and could last for several weeks.Itchy, irritated eyesIf allergens like pet dander or dust mites make their way into your eyes, histamines could flare up and make them swollen, red, itchy, and watery, Marc F. Goldstein, MD, a board-certified allergist and immunologist at The Asthma Center in Philadelphia, tells SELF. This is called allergic conjunctivitis because allergens cause the protective covering of the eye and eyelid—the conjunctiva—to swell. Your eyes might also feel like they’re burning or more sensitive to light.A rashThe release of histamine can also make your skin itchy, Sanjeev Jain, MD, PhD, a board-certified allergist and immunologist at Columbia Allergy in California, tells SELF. In fact, irritated skin is one of the most common signs of an allergic reaction whether you’ve eaten, inhaled, or brushed up against an allergen.Symptoms can vary. You may develop dry, itchy patches due to eczema after your skin’s been exposed to an irritant or allergen, or you could have itchy, red bumps or hives.Trouble breathing, coughing, and wheezingIf histamines make their way to your lungs, they could also trigger asthma symptoms like shortness of breath and coughing fits, Dr. Tam says. If you’re one of over 25 million Americans with asthma, allergens (like cockroaches, pet dander, mold, and dust mites) are also one of the most common triggers for trouble breathing and wheezing. Even food allergies can cause asthma-like symptoms.Gastrointestinal distressWithin minutes, even a small amount of food—like a sip of milk, traces of eggs, or peanuts—could trigger an allergic reaction in your G.I. tract. Inflammation in your stomach could cause symptoms like cramping, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and even diarrhea, Dr. Goldstein says.It’s easy to confuse food allergies with food intolerances. But food intolerances tend to be limited to G.I. issues while food allergies often come with additional symptoms like tingling or itching in your mouth, swelling in your mouth and throat, itchy skin, hives, wheezing, nasal congestion, trouble breathing, and even dizziness and fainting.AnaphylaxisFinally, one important cluster of symptoms to be aware of is anaphylaxis, Dr. Tam says. This severe allergic reaction is life-threatening, so immediate emergency medical attention is a must. Anaphylaxis is most commonly caused by foods, insect stings, medications, and latex allergies.

Feeling like you can’t take in enough air or even breathe at all is downright scary. If this is a common experience, it’s important to figure out what’s causing your shortness of breath. Breathing difficulties can be a symptom of so many things: COVID-19, pneumonia, panic attacks, heart attacks, and all types of asthma—including allergic asthma—according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM). And each of these root causes may require different approaches and treatments to clear up your breathing. SELF spoke to top doctors to tackle everything you need to know about shortness of breath, including common causes, allergy triggers, and treatment.What causes shortness of breath?Dyspnea, or shortness of breath, is generally an indicator of heart or lung problems, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Cardiac-induced shortness of breath usually happens when your heart can’t properly fill up with blood and pump it to the rest of your body, a process that keeps things running smoothly, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. This creates pressure in the blood vessels around the lungs, causing shortness of breath.1Pulmonary shortness of breath happens in two ways, Tania Elliott, MD, an immunologist and clinical instructor in the department of medicine at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, tells SELF. “One is you’re so congested that you don’t breathe in enough air through your nasal passages,” she says. As a result, your lungs don’t get enough oxygen.The other is due to bronchospasm, which happens when the muscles lining the airways in the lungs spasm and constrict, Dr. Elliott says. People can have bronchospasms for many reasons, including asthma.“If you find yourself short of breath and also wheezing or coughing, that may be caused by asthma,” John Oppenheimer, MD, a physician at Atlantic Medical Group in New Jersey and a clinical professor of medicine at Rutgers University, tells SELF. Asthma can flare up for numerous reasons, such as exercise or exposure to an allergen. (The latter is known as allergic asthma.)It’s crucial to determine whether your shortness of breath is caused by something like allergies or cardiac problems, Dr. Elliott says. If your shortness of breath is accompanied by chest pain, or tingling and numbness in your arm, call your doctor ASAP or get emergency care just to be safe.Why do allergies cause shortness of breath?Shortness of breath isn’t one of the most common allergy symptoms (unless you’re so congested you can’t breathe), according to Dr. Elliott. “Allergies impact the upper respiratory tract,2 meaning your nose and throat. Generally, people who have allergies experience symptoms affecting the upper respiratory tract, which makes sense because you breathe allergens in through your nose,” she says. This explains why your eyes feel itchy and your nose runs after breathing in an allergen such as pollen. But if you have allergic asthma, allergens inflame the lower respiratory tract too, causing the muscles around the airway to narrow, leading to asthma symptoms: shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing, according to the NLM.

If going for a run has you huffing and puffing more than normal, you may have exercise-induced asthma, medically called exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. This type of asthma can be serious and make it hard to do the things you enjoy, Sadia Benzaquen, MD, a pulmonologist and chair of the pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine department at the Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia, tells SELF. “It can impact your life—you may not be able to go for a hike with friends or play a soccer game without feeling uncomfortable,” he says.The good news is that exercise-induced asthma is totally treatable—and it doesn’t have to interfere with your workouts. In fact, experts say exercise can actually help you manage asthma1 as long as you’re following your doctor’s instructions for doing it safely.Ahead is everything you need to know about exercise-induced asthma, including tips for maintaining your exercise regimen.What is exercise-induced asthma?As its name implies, exercise-induced asthma is when you experience trouble breathing while pushing yourself physically.Asthma is a condition that happens when the airways in your lungs become inflamed and narrowed, resulting in symptoms like chest tightness and pain, coughing, a whistling sound when you breathe (wheezing), and shortness of breath, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Some people only experience this while they’re working out, hence the name “exercise-induced asthma.”Experts often refer to exercise-induced asthma with the more specific name “exercise-induced bronchoconstriction.” This is to clarify that while strenuous exercise may trigger the airways in your lungs to narrow (known as bronchoconstriction), it’s not a root cause of asthma, according to the Mayo Clinic. Geoffrey Chupp, MD, a pulmonologist at the Yale School of Medicine, tells SELF that some people can have exercise-induced asthma and no other asthma symptoms outside of strenuous activities. Other individuals may have asthma that can strike at any time but gets triggered when they exercise.  About 90% of people with asthma experience symptoms when they exercise, and about 10% of people only have exercise-induced bronchospasm, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Either way, Dr. Chupp says he considers exercise asthma “real asthma.”Back to topWhat causes exercise-induced asthma?Though there may be many causes of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, experts have pinpointed one main factor. “Because you’re inhaling a large volume of air beyond what you normally would, an inflammatory reaction occurs and causes narrowing of the airways and mucus production,” Emily Pennington, MD, a pulmonologist at the Cleveland Clinic, tells SELF.While physical activity is the main trigger of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, different factors can trigger an attack or make it worse, according to the Mayo Clinic.Back to topWhat are the most common exercise-induced asthma triggers?If an attack strikes every time you’re active, it’s important to understand asthma triggers that can force your airways to constrict and lead to asthma symptoms2:Activities that require a lot of deep breathing, like long-distance running, swimming, or soccerCold or dry airAir pollutionHigh pollen countsSwimming pool chlorineHaving a respiratory infection or lung disease3Back to topWhat are the symptoms of exercise-induced asthma?Just like with chronic asthma, exercise-induced bronchoconstriction can lead to symptoms like coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and pain, and shortness of breath. But you can also experience exercise-specific issues, like an abnormal level of fatigue during your workouts. All of this can make people feel out of shape when they’re actually not. These symptoms can start just a few minutes into a workout session, but like with most health conditions, everyone is different. “I’ve had patients be well into exercise and then all of a sudden they can’t function,” Raymond Casciari, MD, a pulmonologist at Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Orange, California, tells SELF.While exercise-induced asthma symptoms can be different from person to person, and range from mild to severe, here are some common signs to watch out for:

There’s nothing more invigorating than opening your window on a spring day and breathing in the fresh air—unless you have spring allergies, that is. In that case, taking a whiff of those budding blooms may only lead to sneezing and wheezing.Allergies, including seasonal allergies, occur when your immune system mistakenly sees typically harmless substances (like pollen) as a threat. This sets off an attack that leads to an allergic reaction, which can affect your nasal passages, skin, airways, eyes, and digestive system. These reactions can range from mild to severe and vary by person, according to the Mayo Clinic. While you can’t cure allergies, you can learn to control them. Here’s how to conquer your spring allergies when pollen season hits full swing.What are the most common spring allergens?Tree pollen is the most common spring allergen, according to a 2021 allergy report from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA).1 Even if you don’t live by a forest, tree pollen is more likely to affect you because the pollen grains are very small. We’re talking about the tiniest of pinches containing thousands of grains, which are even smaller than ragweed pollen grains, the main fall allergy offender. The wind can carry tree pollen for several miles, making spring allergies especially hard to avoid.There are lots of different tree types that release pollen associated with spring allergies, including:AshAspenBirchCedarElmHickoryOakOlivePecanPoplarWillowGrass pollens can also trigger spring allergies for many people, but it depends on where you live. In the northern U.S., grass allergies are at their worst in the late spring and early summer. In the south, grasses may release pollen all year long, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Weed pollen is typically more of late summer or early fall allergen, so you might be spared in the spring.Back to topWhat do spring allergy symptoms feel like?Spring allergy symptoms are the result of a complex set of reactions that occur in the body. Researchers tend to break these reactions down into an early phase and a late phase.According to a 2020 study published in the journal Asthma, Allergy, and Clinical Immunology, in the early phase, an allergen (like pollen) enters your body. There are specific receptors on your cells called antigen-specific immunoglobulin e (IgE) receptors. These IgE receptors trigger a rapid response in the body that involves the release of histamines and other substances that quickly trigger symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes.2 Think of these symptoms as those that occur seemingly the minute you step outside on a nice spring day.The late-stage effects are when your body takes hours to respond to allergen exposure. The cells release other substances that cause inflammation in the body. This inflammation then leads to tissue swelling, which can spur nasal congestion and, in some people, asthma symptoms, such as shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing. Uncontrolled asthma can be dangerous, so it’s important to talk with your doctor or allergist if you experience those symptoms.To sum it up, common spring allergy symptoms can include the following:Dark circles under your eyes (known as “allergy shiners”)Itchy eyes and noseRunny noseSneezingStuffy noseWatery eyes“Some people also have really bad fatigue, which can be the major symptom of their seasonal allergies,” Gary Stadtmauer, MD, FACP, an allergist in private practice in New York City, tells SELF. “Those people need to come in to see an allergist and, in my experience, typically need allergy shots.”