How to fight back fall allergies

Fall can be the best of times and the worst of times. The best times are enjoying the cool, crisp air, falling leaves, and carving pumpkins. But the worst of times can include sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, irritated watery eyes, itchy throat – all signs of someone with an allergy. The bloom of summer is beginning to fade and that means it’s that time of year when fall allergies kick in.

What causes allergies in the fall?

The biggest allergy trigger in the fall is ragweed. Beginning in August when the days are still warm but the nights are becoming cooler, this plant releases its pollen which can continue even through the end of October. Up to 75% of people who are allergic to spring plants will also have a reaction to ragweed.

Don’t live in an area with ragweed? Doesn’t matter. The wind can carry ragweed pollen for thousands of miles affecting unsuspecting people. These same people who are allergic to ragweed are often affected with symptoms when they eat certain fruits and vegetables such as bananas, melons, and zucchini.

Mold is another fall allergy trigger. This could be mold within your home that may be growing in your damp basement but piles of damp fall leaves are another ideal breeding ground for mold.

Included in the list of fall allergies are dust mites. Often common during humid summer months, the first time you turn on your heat in the fall can stir them into the air causing symptoms.

Diagnosing fall allergies

Allergies are best diagnosed by seeing an allergist, a doctor specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of allergies. After talking to you about your medical history and symptoms, a skin test is usually done. Skin tests involve placing a tiny amount of the allergen on your skin. This is usually done on your back or forearm and then doing a prick or scratch on the skin underneath. If you develop small, raised bumps that itch like a mosquito bite, you are allergic to that particular allergen.

Treating allergies

There are several ways to treat allergies which include the following:

· Steroid nasal sprays – this can reduce inflammation in the nose

· Antihistamines – these help stop sneezing, sniffling, and itching

· Decongestants – these help relieve stuffiness and dry up mucus in your nose

· Immunotherapy – this may be in the form of allergy shots or oral tablets to help you feel better

How to manage fall allergies and avoid symptoms

· Plan ahead – Fall allergies usually begin in August. If you rely on allergy medication to treat your allergies, begin taking it about two weeks before symptoms appear and keep taking it until pollen counts have been down for two weeks.

· Minimize mold – Mold grows wherever there is water such as in basements, bathrooms or sinks, making it nearly impossible to eliminate. The best way to minimize mold is to minimize moisture. Simple things such as using fans in the bathroom or cleaning up standing water right away can help. Keep the humidity in your home below 60 percent and routinely clean gutters and scrub away visible mold from surfaces keeping the areas clean and dry.

· Avoid triggers – To reduce the amount of pollen from ragweed and other triggers, keep them out of your home. This can be done by removing your shoes after you walk through the door. Anytime you’ve been working outdoors, exercising or playing, be sure to take a shower and change your clothes to wash off pollen that may be sticking to your hair or body. When pollen counts are high, drive your car keeping the windows up with the air-conditioning on and do the same in your home. Consider wearing gloves and a NIOSH-rated 95 filter mask when doing yard work. Anyone with severe allergies should avoid doing outdoor work altogether.

· Get tested – While hay fever may not seem serious, self-diagnosis and self-treatment can be. Many popular over-the-counter medications can cause sleep disturbances and mental impairment. If you have symptoms, make an appointment with an allergist for proper testing. Allergy testing can be done as skin tests or as blood tests, with positive results usually appearing in about 20 minutes.