Effective Treatments For Fall Allergies
As mentioned, allergy testing is integral to properly treating fall allergies. Skin prick testing will identify the precise tree, grass, weed and other allergens triggering a reaction. With a diagnosis, your allergist can then develop a sinusitis treatment plan. In many cases, allergy and sinus infection treatments involve a combination of antihistamines, corticosteroids, or allergy shots to desensitize the immune system.
How To Avoid Fall Allergies
Avoiding fall allergies is often easier said than done. After all, with work, family, and a social life, you can’t shut yourself in with antihistamines and a box of tissues.
Instead, you have to be strategic in how you approach allergy season by taking certain, basic precautions. Among them:
- Check the local pollen and mold counts on the daily weather report.
- Keep your windows and doors shut at home, especially on days when the pollen count is high.
- Shut the car windows and air vents when driving.
- Use a HEPA filter and/or air humidifier to keep airborne pollen levels low.
- Vacuum floors, surfaces, and furniture regularly, ideally with a pet-friendly vacuum cleaner designed to suck up dust, dander, mites, and other tiny particles.
- Wear a NIOSH-rated 95 filter mask when mowing the lawn or doing outdoor work.
- Take a shower and change your clothes after youve worked or played outdoors.
Finally, if you have a history of fall allergy symptoms, speak with your healthcare provider or allergist about daily medications or allergy shots you can take to lessen the impact of the season. While allergy shots typically need to be started a few months before your worst allergy season in order to best deter symptoms, nasal corticosteroid sprays work within a couple of weeks and antihistamines work within minutes.
About Pollen In The Fall
Pollen, the common trigger of our seasonal allergies, originates from different sources depending on the time of year. In the spring, its released by the trees. In the summer, its brought forth by grasses. Pollen in the fall is strewn by weeds. The onset and duration of each of these three pollination phases largely depends on where you are located in the United States or abroad.
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Can You Avoid Allergies
Without treatment, the best chance you might have for decreasing allergy symptoms is to avoid exposure. This may mean staying indoors with the windows closed as well as avoiding outdoor activities such as sports, camping and cookouts. Routine yard work can also stir pollen and mold spores into the air. If youre raking leaves, mowing the lawn, working with mulch or trimming the shrubs, you may want to wear a mask, such as a NOISH N95.
Pollen counts are at their highest from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. so staying indoors during those times can help reduce your exposure to the allergens and reduce your allergic symptoms. Changing your clothes after being outside can also help.
Unfortunately, attempting to escape allergies in the fall by remaining indoors may not completely do the trick. Low humidity inside homes can also be a major trigger of nasal and lung allergy irritation. Low humidity dries out the mucous membranes and leads to inflammation, while cold, dry air causes the lining of the nose to become swollen, resulting in a stuffy and runny nose.
How Are Seasonal Allergies Diagnosed
Talk with your doctor if you think your child might have seasonal allergies. The doctor will ask if the same symptoms happen at the same time each year after your child is around an allergen, and do an exam. The doctor may be able to make a diagnosis, or might refer you to an allergy doctor for allergy skin testing or a blood test.
To find which allergens cause a person’s symptoms, allergists usually do skin testing. During skin prick testing, an allergist or nurse puts a tiny bit of a liquid containing an allergen into the skin by making a small scratch or prick on the skin. They usually do skin testing on a person’s forearm or back. The allergist then waits 15 minutes or so to see if a red, raised bump, called a wheal, forms. If it does, there might be an allergy. The allergist uses a ruler to measure the wheal and the redness around it.
Even if a skin test or a blood test shows an allergy, a child must also have symptoms to be diagnosed with an allergy for sure. For example, a child who has a positive test for grass pollen and sneezes a lot while playing in the grass would be considered allergic to grass pollen.
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Diagnosing And Treating Fall Allergies
The first step to treating fall allergies is figuring out what youre allergic to. It could be ragweed, mold, dust mites or some combination of the three. Your surgeon might perform an allergy test, which involves exposing a small area of the skin to an allergen to see how it reacts.
Once you know the cause of your allergies, you can work with your surgeon to determine the most appropriate treatment. For some people, managing symptoms with antihistamines is the best course of action. People with more severe allergy symptoms or for whom allergies interfere with life too much might consider immunotherapy, or allergy shots.
If you decide to receive allergy shots, you get an injection every week or so of the thing youre allergic to. Over time, your body builds up a response to the allergen so that it stops overreacting to it and your allergy symptoms fade.
What Causes Fall Allergies
Ragweed is the biggest allergy trigger in the fall. Though it usually starts to release pollen with cool nights and warm days in August, it can last into September and October. About 75% of people allergic to spring plants also have reactions to ragweed.
Even if it doesn’t grow where you live, ragweed pollen can travel for hundreds of miles on the wind. For some people who are allergic to ragweed, certain fruits and vegetables, including bananas, melon, and zucchini, can also cause symptoms.
Mold is another fall trigger. You may think of mold growing in your basement or bathroom — damp areas in the house — but mold spores also love wet spots outside. Piles of damp leaves are ideal breeding grounds for mold.
Donât forget dust mites. While theyâre common during the humid summer months, they can get stirred into the air the first time you turn on your heat in the fall. They can trigger sneezes, wheezes, and runny noses.
Going back to school can also bring allergies in kids because mold and dust mites are common in schools.
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Move Over Mold & Mildew
These fungi thrive both outdoors and indoors. They grow from and produce spores that, like pollen, are spread by the wind or indoor air. Mold and mildew tend to grow year-round. In the fall, they grow on damp fallen leaves and compost piles. They thrive in damp areas indoors like basements, bathrooms, and kitchens.
Unlike pollen, mold and mildew arent killed by the first frost, but they do tend to go into a dormant phase during the winter months.
Additional Factors Associated With Weed Pollen Allergies
When trying to determine if you have an allergy to weed pollen, its also important to factor in the time of year. Late summer and fall is the time when weed pollen is at its highest, with September being a particularly difficult period for many hay fever sufferers. If you experience similar symptoms at an earlier point in the year, its more likely to result from grass or tree pollen. To limit the impact of a weed pollen allergy it can be helpful to check the pollen count daily. This small step can help you avoid being outdoors during peak times.
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When Should You See A Specialist About Your Allergies And Asthma
Many can manage their allergies by avoiding the allergens they are allergic to or taking over-the-counter medications. Still, when symptoms cant be managed, it may be time to see an allergist.
Those with asthma should control their asthma symptoms and be under the supervision of a physician. Allergists are specially trained to identify triggers of asthma, allergies, and other immunologic diseases. No other physician specialty has this level of expertise in diagnosing and treating patients with these conditions.
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.
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What Are The Most Common Fall Allergies
According to Everyday Health, seasonal allergies caused by things like pollen, dust, mold, and mildew affect more than 35 million Americans every year. The most prevalent fall allergies are caused by weed pollination, and ragweed the worst culprit of all.
Minor, though generally persistent symptoms of fall allergies include: coughing, scratchy throat, sneezing, postnasal drip, runny nose, itchy eyes, and sinus pressure that can cause headaches. Severe reactions can be fatal if left untreated and can involve labored breathing, asthma attacks, and swelling of the lips, mouth, or throat.
Here is a look into a few of the most common fall allergens:
What Allergens Are High In The Fall
Ragweed may be the primary culprit of fall allergies, but it certainly isnt the only one. When it gets rainy, grasses and weeds grow out of control depending on where you live. More weeds mean more pollen, a big cause of fall allergies, which affect up to 60 million Americans each year. Aside from the aforementioned most common causes of allergies in fall, this can include the following:
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What Is A Pollen Count
A pollen count is how much pollen is in the air. To get a pollen count, a device such as an air sampler is used to capture pollen, and then the sample pollens are identified and counted. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunologys National Allergy Bureau collects pollen and reports these counts around the U.S.
Some websites or weather news report pollen forecasts also. Pollen forecasts are estimates, just like a weather forecast. Most of the time, pollen forecasts will only report on the most common types of pollen. This may help you identify which type of pollen is present in your area and triggering your allergy symptoms. Pollen forecasts can help you prepare, but you may feel allergy symptoms at times when the forecast predicted low or moderate amounts of pollen.
Whats Causing Your Symptoms
The only way to truly tell what it is thats affecting you is through allergy testing. Dr. Hallett offers a full range of allergy diagnostic testing to evaluate and manage allergies and asthma. He is the first and most experienced fellowship-trained, board-certified allergist in San Antonio to offer the more effective, high dose European protocol allergy drops. If youd like to bring your fall allergies under control, come discover a treatment that is more satisfying than staying indoors or using over-the-counter drugs.
© 2022 Dr. Hallett. All Rights Reserved.
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When Is Weed Pollen Allergy Season
Weeds tend to thrive from late summer to early winter. Most weeds will have their peak allergy season in early fall when the pollen count is highest. In certain climates, weed allergies may persist through the winter if the conditions are mild.
During weed pollen allergy season, you should take extra care to limit exposure and manage your symptoms.
Be Consistent With Medication
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.
Additional reporting by Alisa Hrusticand Arielle Weg
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Causes Of Fall Allergy Symptoms And What You Can Do About Them
Ah, fall! Time for cozy jackets, colorful leaves, pumpkin spice lattes, and allergy medicine? If youve noticed the change in season also triggers allergy and asthma symptoms, youre not alone. Just like spring, fall is a time when many people are seeking relief from their seasonal allergies.
Common symptoms of seasonal allergies include:
- Itching in the nose and eyes
- Mucus in the throat
Treatment And Defense Against Mold And Spore Allergies
This is another case where taking precautions can really help limit your and your familys exposure to mold.
First and foremost, clean up all dead and decaying plant material from around your house, rake up those leaves, get rid of rotting wood, clear your gutters of debris, and clean up compost and garden beds.
Inside your house, consider investing in a good dehumidifier. Do your best to keep humidity levels lowbelow 50 percent is ideal within your house. In your garage and attic, make sure boxes arent damp and ensure insulation hasnt gotten wet from the heavy rains weve been experiencing. Attics and garages can be a major incubator where mold can grow.
If allergy symptoms hit, make sure to visit your allergist. Mold is a potent asthma trigger and youll want to have your inhalers ready and have your allergy and asthma management plan in place. If youve only recently developed allergies, your allergy specialist can test for your specific allergies to pollens and molds, which will help determine if you should start allergy shots. Immunotherapy is a proven method for controlling fall allergies.
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What Are The Most Common Allergies During The Fall
The only way to be absolutely sure of the cause of your allergies is through testing conducted by an allergist. To help with the allergy testing process, pay attention to any contact you have with the following common allergens.
Ragweed
Ragweed is the most common allergy during the fall. Ragweed allergies can last a few months from the end of summer and into fall, causing symptoms like a runny nose, cough, congestion, itching mouth and throat, watery eyes and sneezing. For people living with asthma, ragweed can also trigger adverse reactions.
Tree Allergies
Tree allergies are commonly associated with spring and the early part of summer. However, allergies to different types of tree pollen can persist into the fall months. In addition, people who suffer from tree allergies in the spring frequently react to ragweed that pollinate in late summer and fall.
Mold
Mold allergies typically begin in summer and into fall, with fungus spores growing both inside and outside. Damp areas in the home , piles of leaves outside, rotting logs and so on all provide an environment for mold to grow, and exposure to the allergen can exacerbate allergies.
Dust Mites
Fall is also a difficult time for people with dust mite allergies. A combination of warm air, poor ventilation and damp conditions can result in dust spreading throughout a home or work environment.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Weed Pollen Allergy
Dr. Chacko Featured on the Cover ofAtlanta’s Top Doctor Magazine
If your allergy symptoms begin in the late summer or fall, you may have a weed pollen allergy. Because there are many types of allergies, it can be difficult to identify the root cause. However, with the help of an Atlanta allergist, its possible to accurately identify what is causing your allergy and furthermore, learn the steps you can take to limit its impact. So, what are the most common weed pollen allergy symptoms to be aware of?
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Allergy Drops Can Help Build The Bodys Tolerance
When all your avoidance efforts and the over-the-counter medications dont do the trick, then its time to call your allergist. A board-certified allergist can prescribe more intensive remedies to bring your current symptoms under control and develop a preventative plan using allergen immunotherapy that can help you avoid the misery of seasonal allergies in the future. Rather than reducing symptoms after they have started, allergen immunotherapy helps your body develop resistance to the pollen particles so that your symptoms are significantly reduced and much less severe. Oral allergy drops now offer a convenient, safe and effective option for patients who dont want to be bothered with weekly allergy injections in the doctors office. An individualized extract prescription is prepared for each patient based on the results of allergy testing. Patients then take a daily dose of their drops and advance through build up dilutions to reach their maintenance dose in just one month. That makes now a great time to consider allergy drops as a way to fend off your fall allergies.
