SPONSORED FEATURE CommonSpirit knows summer allergies are all too common ... and can help you find relief Is your nose congested or runny? Do you have post-nasal drip? Are you sneezing and experiencing sinus pain or pressure? Perhaps your eyes are red, itchy, watery, or scratchy? If so, you could be suffering from summer allergies which, like the common cold, are caused by an immune response reacting to a trigger. In summer, grass pollen allergies dominate. Grasses in Colorado include Kentucky blue grass, orchard grass, timothy grass, Bermuda grass, Bahia grass and rye grass. It is important to note that this type of allergy is caused by grass pollen in the air, not grass itself. "Often, if a grass is maintained, it does not go to seed, which means it's not producing airborne grass pollen," said Dr. Christopher Webber, an allergy and asthma specialist with CommonSpirit Health. "However, pollen has been found 500 miles out at sea, and grasses often blow in the air from fields, natural grasses, the Eastern Plains or even grasses in the mountains. This is the problem; not someone's lawn." Dr. Webber, who is board-certified in Allergy and Immunology, is committed to helping patients enduring allergies get the care they need to feel happy and healthy again and enjoy life more, having achieved an improved quality of life with treatment. His patients have noted his attentive and compassionate approach to care. He is one of thousands of caregivers within CommonSpirit Health. CommonSpirit is committed to building healthy communities by providing world-class care. Dr. Webber says that Colorado's summer allergy season is one of the longest allergy seasons in our state, running from May to August. The start of summer allergy season is marked by a moderate to high-level on a pollen counter, with a low level indicating the end. Colorado's dry climate adds a second component: irritant rhinitis, where dryness. can cause issues, along with blowing dust, strong smells, perfume and smoke from campfires. Some people also react to chlorine in swimming pools. All these triggers can cause allergies and asthma to become worse. Additionally, bites or stings from insects can cause allergies and local reactions. that include itching, pain, redness and swelling. A cold or warm compress and antihistamines can help minimize discomfort and provide relief. "Getting stung by yellow jackets, yellow hornets, wasps and honey bees can trigger an insect allergy, as well as a very rare, but possible, bite by mosquitos," said Dr. Webber. "An allergic reaction to these can be life- threatening, often causing whole body hives, itching and welts and difficulty breathing, lightheadedness, fast heart rate and a risk of death. These reactions should be seen by an allergist for treatment." Managing summer allergies If allergen exposure cannot be avoided or reduced, Dr. Webber shares that several medications are available to help reduce allergy symptoms. Among them: Nose sprays. Though often slower to work than tablets, nasal steroids and nasal antihistamines, of which there are many, are often the most effective medication. They are best used as a preventative treatment option. Tablet form antihistamines or prescription leukotriene blockers work quickly and are often used for quick relief or as a supplement to nose sprays. Allergy eye drops provide topical relief to help an itchy-red or watery eye. Allergy immunotherapy (or allergy shots/allergy drops) may also be recommended by a board-certified allergy- immunotherapy provider. These treatments can slowly work to change the immune system's response from being reactive to allergies to being tolerant of allergens. People with allergies can also make lifestyle changes to improve their quality of life, including: Keeping windows and doors closed. Bathing or wiping down outdoor pets to reduce reactions to pollen that can "get stuck" to their fur and bring a lot of pollen indoors when you give them hugs. Horseback riding may also exacerbate seasonal/pollen allergies, according to Dr. Webber. Keeping a running humidifier or air purifier at the head of the bed can reduce dryness or irritant rhinitis. Over-the-counter sinus rinses or sinus washes flush out any pollen that has gotten in your nose and sinuses before causing too much of an immune response. Put it to the test! If you suspect that you have allergies, you can get tested by a board-certified allergy/ immunology specialist. Two options exist to test for allergies: blood testing and skin testing. The latter is the current preferred method and standard of care. A scratch test, ironically, involves no needles, but pieces of plastic that are "dipped" in allergy triggers and then touched on your skin. An itchy spot within 14 minutes of application diagnoses allergies. To everything there is a season including allergies! Ecclesiastes 3:1 states, "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." Some allergies - like to mold and pets are year-round, while others are seasonal. In general, trees pollinate in the spring, grasses in the summer, and weeds in the fall. Yet, pollen seasons seem to be starting sooner and lasting longer, causing allergy sufferers to have more symptoms that last longer than in the past. "A long overlap of seasons is a known cause of the length and intensity of allergies," said Dr. Webber. "We are seeing double pollen times when compared to just one pollen. Since allergies are additive, having some spring pollen plus some summer pollen causes more symptoms than summer alone. More people are being seen with worse effects during the changing seasons." Meet the doctor Retired Air Force veteran Dr. Christopher Webber is board-certified in Allergy & Immunology. He received his medical degree from Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years. Dr. Webber is affiliated with CommonSpirit Health. He works at Pikes Peak ENT, LLC at 9475 Briar Village Point, Suite 225. Your personalized plan awaits Treatment by CommonSpirit physicians is compassionate and inclusive. This builds and nurtures meaningful relationships with patients, and inspires trust. Care at CommonSpirit is inspired by faith, driven by innovation, and powered by humanity. Learn more at CommonSpirit Health | Health Care in Colorado, Kansas & Utah. CommonSpirit SPONSORED FEATURE CommonSpirit knows summer allergies are all too common ... and can help you find relief Is your nose congested or runny ? Do you have post - nasal drip ? Are you sneezing and experiencing sinus pain or pressure ? Perhaps your eyes are red , itchy , watery , or scratchy ? If so , you could be suffering from summer allergies which , like the common cold , are caused by an immune response reacting to a trigger . In summer , grass pollen allergies dominate . Grasses in Colorado include Kentucky blue grass , orchard grass , timothy grass , Bermuda grass , Bahia grass and rye grass . It is important to note that this type of allergy is caused by grass pollen in the air , not grass itself . " Often , if a grass is maintained , it does not go to seed , which means it's not producing airborne grass pollen , " said Dr. Christopher Webber , an allergy and asthma specialist with CommonSpirit Health . " However , pollen has been found 500 miles out at sea , and grasses often blow in the air from fields , natural grasses , the Eastern Plains or even grasses in the mountains . This is the problem ; not someone's lawn . " Dr. Webber , who is board - certified in Allergy and Immunology , is committed to helping patients enduring allergies get the care they need to feel happy and healthy again and enjoy life more , having achieved an improved quality of life with treatment . His patients have noted his attentive and compassionate approach to care . He is one of thousands of caregivers within CommonSpirit Health . CommonSpirit is committed to building healthy communities by providing world - class care . Dr. Webber says that Colorado's summer allergy season is one of the longest allergy seasons in our state , running from May to August . The start of summer allergy season is marked by a moderate to high - level on a pollen counter , with a low level indicating the end . Colorado's dry climate adds a second component : irritant rhinitis , where dryness . can cause issues , along with blowing dust , strong smells , perfume and smoke from campfires . Some people also react to chlorine in swimming pools . All these triggers can cause allergies and asthma to become worse . Additionally , bites or stings from insects can cause allergies and local reactions . that include itching , pain , redness and swelling . A cold or warm compress and antihistamines can help minimize discomfort and provide relief . " Getting stung by yellow jackets , yellow hornets , wasps and honey bees can trigger an insect allergy , as well as a very rare , but possible , bite by mosquitos , " said Dr. Webber . " An allergic reaction to these can be life- threatening , often causing whole body hives , itching and welts and difficulty breathing , lightheadedness , fast heart rate and a risk of death . These reactions should be seen by an allergist for treatment . " Managing summer allergies If allergen exposure cannot be avoided or reduced , Dr. Webber shares that several medications are available to help reduce allergy symptoms . Among them : Nose sprays . Though often slower to work than tablets , nasal steroids and nasal antihistamines , of which there are many , are often the most effective medication . They are best used as a preventative treatment option . Tablet form antihistamines or prescription leukotriene blockers work quickly and are often used for quick relief or as a supplement to nose sprays . Allergy eye drops provide topical relief to help an itchy - red or watery eye . Allergy immunotherapy ( or allergy shots / allergy drops ) may also be recommended by a board - certified allergy- immunotherapy provider . These treatments can slowly work to change the immune system's response from being reactive to allergies to being tolerant of allergens . People with allergies can also make lifestyle changes to improve their quality of life , including : Keeping windows and doors closed . Bathing or wiping down outdoor pets to reduce reactions to pollen that can " get stuck " to their fur and bring a lot of pollen indoors when you give them hugs . Horseback riding may also exacerbate seasonal / pollen allergies , according to Dr. Webber . Keeping a running humidifier or air purifier at the head of the bed can reduce dryness or irritant rhinitis . Over - the - counter sinus rinses or sinus washes flush out any pollen that has gotten in your nose and sinuses before causing too much of an immune response . Put it to the test ! If you suspect that you have allergies , you can get tested by a board - certified allergy / immunology specialist . Two options exist to test for allergies : blood testing and skin testing . The latter is the current preferred method and standard of care . A scratch test , ironically , involves no needles , but pieces of plastic that are " dipped " in allergy triggers and then touched on your skin . An itchy spot within 14 minutes of application diagnoses allergies . To everything there is a season including allergies ! Ecclesiastes 3 : 1 states , " For everything there is a season , and a time for every matter under heaven . " Some allergies - like to mold and pets are year - round , while others are seasonal . In general , trees pollinate in the spring , grasses in the summer , and weeds in the fall . Yet , pollen seasons seem to be starting sooner and lasting longer , causing allergy sufferers to have more symptoms that last longer than in the past . " A long overlap of seasons is a known cause of the length and intensity of allergies , " said Dr. Webber . " We are seeing double pollen times when compared to just one pollen . Since allergies are additive , having some spring pollen plus some summer pollen causes more symptoms than summer alone . More people are being seen with worse effects during the changing seasons . " Meet the doctor Retired Air Force veteran Dr. Christopher Webber is board - certified in Allergy & Immunology . He received his medical degree from Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years . Dr. Webber is affiliated with CommonSpirit Health . He works at Pikes Peak ENT , LLC at 9475 Briar Village Point , Suite 225 . Your personalized plan awaits Treatment by CommonSpirit physicians is compassionate and inclusive . This builds and nurtures meaningful relationships with patients , and inspires trust . Care at CommonSpirit is inspired by faith , driven by innovation , and powered by humanity . Learn more at CommonSpirit Health | Health Care in Colorado , Kansas & Utah . CommonSpirit