Fighting Fall Allergies

People who suffer from allergies may start sneezing and wheezing in the fall, but there are things they can do to ease their seasonal misery.

Learn what steps health experts say you can take to reduce seasonal allergy symptoms in the fall.

What Are The Most Common Fall Allergens?

Every fall, ragweed pollen is the biggest allergy trigger, affecting about 15% of Americans, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Ragweed grows in 49 states, and its pollen can travel hundreds of miles. Ragweed usually starts releasing pollen with cool nights and warm days in August and can last into September and October. Most people allergic to spring plants are also allergic to ragweed.

Other weeds that can trigger allergies in the fall include:

• Burning bush
• Cocklebur
• Lamb’s-quarters
• Mugwort
• Pigweed
• Russian thistle
• Sagebrush
• Tumbleweed

Additionally mold and grass pollen can trigger allergies in the fall.

How Can I Reduce Seasonal Allergy Symptoms?:

The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) provided the following tips to help people with seasonal allergies avoid flare-ups of their symptoms:

Plan ahead before your 'allergy season'

So-called "fall" allergens actually start to appear in mid-August. If you rely on allergy medication, start taking it about two weeks before your symptoms appear. It's also important to not stop taking your allergy medication until pollen counts have been down for about two weeks.

"For people who struggle with allergies over the counter, antihistamines or eyedrops can help," said Theodore Seger, MD, a primary care doctor with Franciscan Physician Network Family Medicine Downtown Indy.

Close windows

Keep your car and home windows closed, and your air conditioning on in both places. Monitor pollen and mold counts so you know when it's best to stay inside.

Plan for outdoor activity

"You may consider checking the weather forecast for pollen count," Dr. Seger said. "Oftentimes, pollen decreases throughout the day."

When you go outside, wear a hat and sunglasses to keep pollen out of your eyes.

"If you wear a hat with a large brim, or if you wear protective eyewear, you may actually prevent allergens from getting to your face and eyes," Dr. Seger said.

Clean up after being outside

After being outdoors, leave your shoes at the door and put clothes in the washing machine. Shower and wash your hair in the evening before bed.

"When you get home, it's important that you take a shower, take off your clothes, try to get all of those allergens off your skin and hair," Dr. Seger said. "That way you're not spreading the allergens to your pillow or sheets or other places in your house."

Take medications if needed

Start taking your allergy medications about two to three weeks before you normally start to have symptoms and don't stop taking them until pollen counts have been down for about two weeks.

Wear a mask if needed

Here's an unexpected benefit from wearing a mask during the pandemic: It may also reduce fall allergy symptoms. Masks that people use for protection from COVID-19, particularly those that filter out more particles like the N95 or KN95 masks, also tend to filter out pollen.

Minimize mold

Mold is nearly impossible to eliminate. It tends to grow wherever there is water, particularly basements, bathrooms and near sinks. Mold also lurks outside, even in piles of dead leaves. The best way to limit the growth of mold is to minimize moisture. Use fans in the bathroom and clean up standing water right away. Scrub visible mold from any surfaces and ensure they are kept clean and dry. Keeping the humidity in your home below 60 percent and routinely cleaning gutters is also a good idea.

Avoid pollen

Ragweed and other pollens that trigger allergy symptoms must not be brought into your home. Be sure to take your shoes off when you walk through your door. If you've been outside working, exercising or playing, take a shower and change your clothes to wash off any pollen that sticks to your hair or body. Keep your home and car windows closed and use an air conditioner, particularly when pollen counts are high. If you are doing yard work, consider wearing gloves and a NIOSH-rated 95 filter mask. Those with severe allergies may want to avoid outdoor chores entirely.

Seek help

An allergist is trained to identify your allergens and provide an individualized treatment plan for your allergy symptoms. Aside from allergy medication, these doctors can provide immunotherapy -- or allergy shots that target your specific triggers. This can dramatically ease your symptoms. Consult an allergist about creating a personal allergy control plan. An allergist can also provide immunotherapy -- shots or tablets -- that targets your specific triggers and can greatly reduce the severity of your symptoms. Allergy shots can also prevent the development of asthma in some children with seasonal allergies