Fall allergies can be just as problematic as any other allergy.
When you think of allergies, most of the time you think of the pollen that comes in spring time, covers everything, and ruins the days of millions of Americans every year.
Runny noses, scratchy throats, and watery, itchy eyes are just a few symptoms experienced by allergy sufferers, and unfortunately, these symptoms aren’t confined to the spring.
The changing of the seasons around fall brings about it’s own slew of allergens like mold and ragweed, so here are a few important notes about fall allergies:
-Mold can be a huge problem because it can occur anywhere there is standing water in your home. To combat this, make sure you clean up any water immediately, use a de-humidifier in your home, and clean your gutters regularly.
-I’m sure you’ve heard of the term ‘indian summer’, which is when warm weather tends to stick around. This is great for some last minute beach days, but bad for allergy sufferers, because mold spores are released in high-humidity situations, which can lead to allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever.
READ MORE: The Difference Between The Common Cold and Winter Allergies
-Hay Fever is a term generally used to describe allergies that hit at the end of summer. Ragweed is one of the main causes of this allergy, as the plant begins pollination in the middle of August.
-Raking leaves can actually make fall allergies worse, because it stirs up any pollen sitting on stagnant leaves. Wear a mask while raking to combat this issue.
-Pay special attention to your children during this time, because many fall allergies can be triggered from things at school, such as chalk dust, class pets, and food.
Fall allergies, like anything else are a nuisance, but can be avoided and treated if you take the proper precautions. The biggest hurdle is just being aware of them, so if you or your children get cold-like symptoms during this time for no discernible reason, you may consider a trip to the allergist.
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