Thought you left the seasonal sniffles with your sandals and sundresses? Not so fast. Spring isn’t the only season that can make you suffer—autumn can also be a red-eyed, runny-nosed minefield.
When you’re dealing with seasonal allergies, your immune system is trying to fight off a substance you’re sensitive to by releasing histamine, which leads to unpleasant symptoms, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). These irritants can include specific types of mold, pollen, and weeds, which all pick up toward the end of summer.
But once you learn to spot the symptoms and identify your triggers, you should have no issues managing your fall allergies. Here’s everything you need to know to get through the season.
What are the symptoms of fall allergies?
- Watery, itchy, or generally irritated eyes
- Runny nose or nasal congestion
- Sneezing
- Headaches
- Rashes or hives on the skin
- Itchy throat
- Aggravated asthma symptoms, including coughing or wheezing
- In severe cases, trouble breathing or anaphylaxis (a life-threatening allergic reaction)
What allergens are high in the fall?
Balmy temperatures let much of the country hit the beach for a few extra weeks each year—but while your spirits soar, so do ragweed and pollen counts.
“Counts usually drop significantly by the first week of September,” explains Joseph Leija, MD, founder of the Gottlieb Allergy Count, which provides the official allergy count for the Midwest. But when it gets rainy, grasses and weeds grow out of control depending on where you live. This can include the following:
- Ragweed
- Goldenrod
- Sagebrush
- Mugwort
- Cocklebur
- Pigweed
- Tumbleweed
- Burning brush
- Lamb’s-quarters
- Mugwort
More weeds means more pollen, a big cause of hay fever (aka rhinitis), Dr. Leija explains, which affects up to 60 million Americans each year.
Ragweed in particular seems to wreak havoc between August and November, reaching peak levels in mid-September. Just one ragweed plant can product up to 1 billion pollen grains and it can travel far, especially in the Eastern and Midwestern parts of the country, the AAFA says.
Mold becomes a bigger issue
Nothing looks more quintessentially autumn than leaves falling into big piles. But once foliage starts to decay, it becomes a breeding ground for mold. Breathing in spores can aggravate asthma and cause heavy breathing, wheezing, and other upper respiratory symptoms in those with mold allergies.
Damp basements are another common source of mold. Dr. Leija suggests placing a dehumidifier downstairs—whether the rooms are finished or not—and cleaning any filters for your furnace, which could be pushing airborne mold spores into your upper floors.
How you’re making your allergies worse during fall
“Pollen counts are highest from early morning until 10 a.m., so try to postpone your activity until later in the day,” suggests Rachna Shah, MD, allergist and faculty member of Loyola School of Medicine.
You let the outside in
“Mold spores and pollen can stick to everything, including hair, skin, and clothing,” Dr. Shah says. You probably don’t even realize you’re doing it, but there’s a good chance you’re tracking irritants into the house. Minimize your risk with the following tips:
Throw your clothes into the washer and head straight for the shower when you’re done biking or gardening,
Brush or wipe down pets after walks. Pollen can hitchhike into your home—and onto your couch, bed, or wherever else your dog likes to hang out.
Leave your shoes outside. Forget dirt and mud—you could be traipsing pollen and mold throughout the house. No outside area? Keep them in a separate closet.
Close the windows. Be sure to do this on windy or high pollen count days, and especially if you live near a busy road. “Pollution is an irritant to those with respiratory allergies,” says Dr. Leija. Can’t bear having no fresh air? PollenTEC makes clean air window and door screens that filter dust, pollen, and exhaust soot so you can enjoy the fall breeze while it lasts.
You’re not consistent with your medication
It takes you three months to use up your 30-day supply of OTC allergy meds and you get your allergy shots only when you’re feeling crummy. Sound familiar? Compliance is what both Dr. Shah and Dr. Leija cite as the biggest reason their patients can’t get ahead of their symptoms.
“It takes about two to three days for allergy medicine to kick in,” explains Dr. Leija. And you can’t just stop when you feel better or when the pollen count in your area is low. “Pollen counts vary so much by the weather and the barometric pressure,” he explains, so consistently taking your medication on days when numbers are low will prep you for when they surge again.
How are fall allergies treated?
If autumn hits and you’re constantly sneezing or dealing with itchy eyes, it’s likely that you’re allergic to something in the air. Allergies don’t have a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to treatment, but the AAFA says there are several over-the-counter options you can try to keep your symptoms at bay:
Nasal corticosteroids or decongestants both work to minimize nasal swelling, which causes a stuffy, runny, or itchy nose. Just note that you should limit decongestant use to a day or two, otherwise your symptoms may get worse. Try NasalCrom Nasal Allergy Symptom Controller.
Corticosteroid creams and ointments help treat itchy rashes and keeps them from getting worse. Try Cortizone-10 Maximum Strength. See your doctor if you don’t see improvement within a week.
Antihistamines or mast cell stabilizers come in variety of forms, like tablets, liquids, and nose sprays. Because they block the release of histamine, you should see an improvement in common symptoms like sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and hives.
Be sure to discuss these treatments with your allergist, who may also recommend allergy shots, prescription-strength meds, or carrying an EpiPen if your symptoms become severe.
No comments:
Post a Comment