How To Avoid Pet Dander & Fur
The most efficient way to keep pet dander and fur away is to frequently clean and vacuum, even the areas behind cabinets and under the furniture. In order to lower levels of pet dander, it is crucial to get the pet dander out from all the potential hiding spots.
Frequently brush cats and dogs outside the house, if possible, helps to remove any shedding or loose fur. Regular bathing also helps in removing loose hair and dander.
What Are Some Common Misconceptions About Allergies And Asthma
One common misconception about allergies is that its all in your head. However, allergies are a legitimate medical condition and occur due to a response by your immune system. Another misconception is that once you react to something, youll know how your body will respond in the future. Its important to see an allergist who will determine if it was an allergic reaction. If you have, there is a potential for a more severe reaction, like anaphylaxis, in the future. Our physicians can determine if it was an allergic reaction, provide treatment options, and prescribe an epinephrine auto-injector to use if you have a more severe reaction.
Asthma is limiting. Not true! Those with controlled asthma can exercise and enjoy their life as they want. Its important to take medication as prescribed to help keep your asthma under control. There are many athletes who even complete in the Olympics who also have asthma. Another misconception for asthma is that the medications are dangerous. Inhaled medicines that treat inflammation are the safest and most effective means of treating asthma. Untreated asthma can lead to loss of lung function.
One of our goals at Family Allergy is to remove the limitations, to the greatest extent, that allergies and asthma can place on our patients and give them their lives back. Scheduling an appointment for allergy testing can be the first step towards finding relief.
How Can I Treat My Allergies
There are many medications you can use:
Steroid nasal sprays can reduce inflammation in your nose.
Antihistamines help stop sneezing, sniffling, and itching.
help relieve stuffiness and dry up the mucus in your nose.
Immunotherapy in the form of allergy shots or oral tablets or drops can also help you feel better.
You can buy some allergy medications without a prescription, but talk to your doctor to make sure you get the right one. nasal sprays, for example, should only be used for 3 days. If you use them longer, you may actually get more congested. And if you have high blood pressure, some allergy drugs may not be right for you.
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Is It Fall Allergies Or Covid
Your eyes itch and water and your throat feels scratchy. Your nose is runny, your head feels completely stuffed up, and your face hurts from the pressure. And you want to carry a box of tissues everywhere you go.
If these symptoms appear in late summer or fall, you may be struggling with fall allergies.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, though, how will you know if you are dealing with fall allergy symptoms or coronavirus symptoms? Some of the symptoms are common to both fall allergies and COVID-19. It will be helpful for you to navigate this unusual fall allergy season by understanding and managing your seasonal allergies to fall pollens, such as ragweed, moldor other allergens.
Home Remedies For Fall Allergies
Though the steps above will help you come into contact with less pollen, its just about impossible to fully avoid pollen. If youre still sneezy, get an assist from science and hit up a drugstore or pharmacy to try an over-the-counter medication designed to relieve your allergy symptoms.
Many allergy medications are safe and now available over the counter, including nasal steroid sprays like fluticasone and triamcinolone, and the long-acting, non-sedating antihistamines such as loratadine and cetirizine, Dr. Aronica says. These medications are generally very good at managing most allergies.
Take your allergy medicine before your allergies get bad, especially on days predicted to have high pollen counts. Local news channels and online weather websites offer pollen forecasts that can help you stay up to date.
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Common Fall Allergies To Be Made Aware Of
Thereâs a common misconception among many that your allergies end once summer is over. Although thatâs true for the majority of people, itâs not true for all. In fact, if youâre prone to allergies, you can expect to suffer from the side effects for months after summer has ended. This is because fall has its own set of allergens as well. Unfortunately, the irritability doesnât end with the summer months.
Below are what you can expect this coming fall.
If you find yourself spluttering, sneezing, itchiness ,increase in asthma, wheezing and just generally irritable in fall, there are many things that could be triggering it. You could either:
- A) be allergic to pet dander, grass or other year-round allergens, or
- B) you could be a fall allergy sufferer as well.
Believe it or not, ragweed is the biggest allergy trigger once summer turns to fall. Ragweed are yellow and green plants that can be found in the tropical and subtropical areas around the Americas. Its pollen is a common cause of allergies, and it can travel hundreds of miles to end up in your location. If youâre allergic to spring and summer plants, the chances of you being allergic to ragweed and other fall plants is fairly high.
What Are The Symptoms Of Fall Allergies For Dogs
There are many symptoms that could show up if your dog is experiencing any sort of allergies. Dogs typically do not show the same symptoms of an allergy that humans do, such as sneezing, but instead mostly scratch and lick or chew their skin. This response to allergies can cause hair loss, open sores, and secondary skin infections, so it is important to notice these signs as early as possible.
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Beware Of The Flu Bug
The fall and winter months present plenty of opportunities for viruses to spread. Chilly weather keeps more of us indoors and the holiday season brings together family members of all ages. The cold and flu can occur anytime, but appear mostly in the fall and winter. For most people, viral respiratory illnesses are usually mild and last only a few days. The flu however can be severe, especially if you are elderly or have a compromised immune system. Even if you are healthy, the flu bug can make you feel lousy with a fever, sore throat, muscle aches, joint pains and extreme fatigue. Breathing problems can also become serious, especially in asthmatics. An annual influenza vaccination is a smart way to avoid one of the most common triggers of winter asthma.Talk to your doctor about ways you and your family can stay healthier this fall and winter. Stay warm and enjoy the holidays !!!-Dr. Shaz Siddiqi
What Causes Allergies In The Fall
Common triggers of seasonal allergies vary from one season to another. While tree pollen dominates during the spring and grass pollen during the summer, fall has a few allergy culprits of its own that can be particularly problematic. Keep reading to find out some of the most common fall allergies causes, that typically make you sniffle and sneeze.
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Managing Your Fall Allergy Symptoms
Fall is a time for new beginnings including a new season full of symptoms for those living with allergies. Though the fall foliage may be visually stunning, it may leave you with a running nose and scratchy throat.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, its vital to manage and treat your allergies as flu season hits its peak. Keep reading to learn how to avoid the most common allergens this season, and how to keep your autumn allergies in check with the help of our board-certified specialists at Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia.
What Are Allergies And Asthma
An allergy is an immune reaction when your body mistakes a harmless substance, like pollen, for a harmful one. The body releases a substance called histamine, which can cause a runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, itching, hives, and wheezing when released into the body. In some cases, reactions can occur in several places throughout the body. Welts or hives may appear, spasm in the lungs may cause coughing or wheezing, the throat, and tongue may swell even anaphylaxis may occur. Common allergens that may trigger allergies are pollen mold, animal dander , food, and medications.
Allergies can be a trigger for people with asthma. Allergic asthma is the most common form of asthma, a chronic lung disease. Many things can trigger asthma, and the first step, when diagnosed, is to determine what triggers to avoid. Triggers could include smoke, stress, exercise, or cold air. These are things that dont bother most people, but these triggers can make the inflammation worse for those with asthma.
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Most Common Fall Allergy Symptoms
Is fall your worst season for allergies? Fall allergies are a common condition that has been around over the years and caused a lot of concern.
This is why we are going to tell you about its symptoms.
We will tell you in details about the symptoms of fall allergies, so as to assist you to understand much about fall allergies.
The following are some of the symptoms of autumn allergies.
Trees Grasses And Weeds Are Often To Blame
Ragweed, which grows throughout most of the U.S., produces pollen in the fall.
Ah, spring. It’s the time of year when the cold starts to wane, and trees and flowers blossom.
But if you’re one of the many people who suffer from seasonal allergies, those pretty trees and plants may make you feel worse, not better.
That’s because of pollen, a powdery substance made by trees, weeds, and grasses.
Pollen is harmless, but if you have seasonal allergies, your body mistakes the pollen for something dangerous and tries to attack it. This reaction causes symptoms like coughing, a runny or stuffy nose, and itchy, watery eyes. You might feel like you have a cold.
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The Most Common Fall Allergies In Ontario
While autumn pleases our eyes with its vibrancy, it also assaults our respiratory systems with potent allergens. Approximately one-third of Canadians suffer from runny noses, watery eyes, coughing and other cold-like symptoms during the fall. Many of these symptoms begin in August, so its best to prepare in advance.
What Else Can Cause An Allergic Reaction In Fall
When fall hits, you will begin to notice the beautiful green leaves on trees turning brown and eventually falling to the ground. The piles of leaves encompassing your backyard then become breeding grounds for mold. This can cause an allergic reaction.
Dust mites, although common year-round, are particularly bothersome in fall as well. This is because many households require the use of heating units. These have generally had minimal use over summer.
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Youre 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 youre feeling crummy. Sound familiar? Compliance is what both Dr. Shah and Dr. Leija cite as the biggest reason their patients cant get ahead of their symptoms.
It takes about two to three days for allergy medicine to kick in, explains Dr. Leija. And you cant 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.
Indoor Mold And Mildew
Elsewhere on this list weve discussed the danger posed by the spores released by outdoor mold, but there are similar threats inside the home. Mold and mildew can both be found inside the average house or apartment, often in cool, damp areas like bathrooms, basements, and inside the refrigerator. And unlike outdoor mold, which has less impact on allergy sufferers during the winter months, indoor mold and mildew often remains a problem throughout the entire year.
Because these threats are already inside the home, keeping windows closed and avoiding the outdoors wont help. Instead, do your best to limit the accumulation of mold by restricting the humidity in your home. You can help do this by using a fan in your bathroom and a dehumidifier in your basement or other cool, clammy parts of the home. As for the refrigerator, be sure to clean it regularly and consider using an open box of baking soda to draw away moisture.
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What Are Fall Season Allergies
Fall season allergies in dogs can wreak havoc on their systems. These allergies often occur seasonally after the summer months when various plants begin to release allergens into the air. Dogs that suffer from allergies in the fall usually have reactions to plants such as sagebrush, pigweed, goldenrod, lambs quarters, curly dock, and other offending plants and pollen that they release.
Ragweed and mold are also popular triggers of fall season allergies in dogs. Environmental allergies and food allergies are more so year round, but allergies that are exclusive only to the fall season are usually due to the same factors, which are mostly pollen, mold, and perhaps even dust mites. These inhalant allergies are not only breathed in by the dog, but also settle within the fur and skin of the dog, causing skin reactions. However, if you reside in an area that does not freeze in the winter, the allergies build up and can cause year-long suffering.
Fall season allergies in dogs occur when dogs react to specific allergens, usually environmental, that are exclusive to the fall season. Fall season allergies only occur for a few months out of the year.
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Avoiding Fall Allergy Symptoms
Once you are in a full-blown allergy attack, all you want is relief. Cutting your exposure to allergens can help to reduce these symptoms.
Here are a few tips to help you avoid fall allergens:
- Take a shower, change your clothes and wash your hair after being outside.
- Clear yard debris regularly to avoid mold growth.
- Treat any indoor house leaks right away.
- Keep windows closed to keep pollen out.
- Limit outdoor exposure and aim to go out later in the day when the pollen counts fall.
- Take your shoes off and dont wear them inside your home.
- Use a dehumidifier to reduce dampness and prevent mold growth.
- Wash your linens in hot water.
- Vacuum and dust your house regularly.
- Keep pets that go outside bathed to avoid a buildup of pollen in their fur.
Again, it is important to talk to your primary care provider about any fall allergy symptoms you are experiencing. They will be able to provide more treatment options, including possible medications.
Learn more about the primary care services we offer at Bon Secours.
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Battle Of The Seasons: Spring Vs Fall Allergies
Which season is more problematic for allergy sufferers? That depends on what youre allergic to. You might fall victim to your allergies in autumn or suffer from your allergies in spring depending on what exactly is triggering your allergy symptoms. Whether its tree pollen in the spring or ragweed in the fallwe want to know which allergy season affects you most. Vote for your worst allergy season and read on for a closer look at which seasonal allergens are to blame.
What Is An Allergy Test
An allergist performs tests to pinpoint the cause of your allergic reactions.
There are two kinds of tests:
- Skin tests: The doctor pricks the surface of the skin, usually on the upper arm, and injects a tiny amount of suspected allergens. If an allergy exists, the skin will react by becoming inflamed, red and swollen, which may cause temporary discomfort. Skin tests give fast resultsusually within a half hour or 24 to 48 hours.
- Blood tests: Blood is drawn and sent to a lab. The disadvantage is that it may take several days for the results to come back. However, more allergens can be tested with blood tests than with skin tests, Blood tests are used to identify seasonal allergies as well as perennial allergies, plus allergies to food, medications, and insect bites or stings. If you have chronic skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema, blood tests are recommended instead of skin tests to prevent further irritation.
Its important to tell your allergist about any medications you are taking because some can compromise your allergy test results.
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Rid Yourself Of Ragweed
A single ragweed plant can produce up to 1 billion grains of pollen per season. This yellow flowering weed blooms in August but causes allergic symptoms well into the fall, until the first freeze kills the plant. It grows nationwide but is most prevalent in rural areas of the East and Midwest. Approximately 75 percent of people who suffer springtime allergies will also be affected by ragweed pollen, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
Causes Of Fall Season Allergies In Dogs
With allergy sufferers, an over-reactive immune system is the culprit to specific allergens. Specific causes of fall season allergies in dogs are:
- Hypersensitive immune system to a particular agent
- The immune system attacking an agent that is otherwise harmless
- The overactive immune system causing an allergic reaction, such as atopic dermatitis
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