Tips to Manage Your Fall Allergies

 

The Fall season invites a whole new host of allergens that can wreak havoc on your body. You should take the right precautions to avoid aggravating your allergies. Read on to find out what are the most common allergens, allergy symptoms, measures to manage your allergies, and what are the common treatments?

 

What are the common causes of allergies in the fall?

 

Ragweed

Ragweed pollen is often the culprit of fall allergies. This yellow flowering weed usually comes up in August and induces allergic reactions for many in the fall. It is found en masse in the Midwest and East. You may be thinking that I don’t live in the Midwest or East, but Ragweed pollen travels through hundreds of miles through the wind. It could also be spread to your food. The wind may have spread the pollen through farmlands and affect your fruits and vegetables. You must be wary of where you buy your produce. Thankfully, the pollen tends to disappear in Winter.

 

Mold and Mildew

The fungi thrive in both indoor and outdoor settings all year round. Homeowners should regularly inspect their homes to prevent health hazards. Indoors they can be found in basements and bathrooms or other damp areas in the house. Outdoors they are usually found in the damp leaves of your yard or compost files. Mold and Mildew are not killed by frost but will go on a dormant phase during Winter.

 

Dust Mites

These microscopic arthropods sustain themselves primarily on human skin flakes. They appear all year-round and thrive on temperatures in the high 60s to mid-70s, but they will die in extreme temperatures or when the humidity goes down below 70 percent. Be careful when you turn on your heater in the fall. It is important to check your heater because dust mites can be stirred into the air and enter your heater.

 

Common Allergy Symptoms

  • Your eyes will become watery and or itchy.
  • Mucous starts running out of your nose, followed by sneezing.
  • You may experience wheezing and asthma, as the allergens affect your lungs.
  • An itching throat can be one of your oral symptoms.
  • You may experience an upset stomach or diarrhea.
  • Hives may form in your skin along with itchiness and eczema.

 

How to Manage Your Allergies

You will spend more time indoors as the temperature drops. Closing your windows will still leave you exposed to indoor allergens such as mold and dust mites. Thankfully, there are plenty of measures you can take to manage your symptoms and get rid of the allergens.

 

Check the pollen levels before heading out

Checking the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology’s National Allergy
Bureau will let you know the pollen levels. If your area is currently experiencing highpollen levels, then it is best to cancel your outdoor activities. Pollen counts are often highest in the morning. Switch to indoor activities when the pollen count outside is too high to prevent aggravating your allergies.

 

Wear Protective Gear

Wear long sleeves, a hat, pants, face mask, and sunglasses when you go outside to keep the pollen out of your system. Certain activities in the yard could release pollen in your vicinity. Activities such as mowing and raking should be handled with care.

 

Get rid of the Pollen

Change your footwear before entering your home. You should also remove your jacket, sunglasses, hat, and facemask before heading inside. Minimize your pollen exposure by washing the pollen off your body as soon as possible. Take a shower as quickly as you can after getting back inside.

 

Do Not Dry Your Laundry Outside

Your laundry can end up becoming a pollen magnet that aggravates your allergies. Clothing and bedding infested by pollen can trigger your allergies to go out of control. It is important to find other ways of drying your laundry indoors. The indoor setting will minimize the chances of pollen getting into your home.

 

HEPA Filters

High-Efficiency Particulate Air or HEPA is a special kind of filter installed in air conditioners and heaters to better clean your air. You might think that air pollution is limited to smoke from cars and factories. Spores from mold, dust mites and pollen can travel through the air and into your home. These can aggravate your allergies and asthma. HEPA filters installed in your ventilation system can help prevent pollutants from traveling indoors. HEPA filters will clean your air by forcing air through a filter made of fine mesh. That filter catches allergens such as pollen, dust mites, and tobacco smoke to keep you safe. Most air purifiers you can purchase contain HEPA filters. Air filters are portable units that can filter the air of the room of your choice. When you purchase a HEPA filter, it’s important to know how much air the filter can clean. Buy a filter that is strong enough to handle your room’s size. It is best to put in your bedrooms to keep the allergens away while sleeping. You can find filters in online stores and marketplaces.

 

Keep Your Home Neat

While purchasing an air filter can help keep allergens outside at bay. You must keep your home clean to remove any allergens present in your home.

  • Vacuum your carpets and floors regularly
  • Put filters in your furnace
  • Cover your mattresses and pillows
  • Replace your curtains with roll up shades
  • Replace your carpet floors with tile or wood flooring
  • Change your bedding regularly and wash your sheets in hot water
  • Keep your pets outdoors to prevent pet dander from triggering your allergy

 

How to Treat Fall Allergies

There are plenty of different ways to tackle your fall allergies. Before attempting any of the methods, it is best to consult a doctor first.

Here are different treatments to help you manage your allergies:

  • Steroid nasal sprays reduce inflammation in your nose.
  • Antihistamines can mitigate or stop your sniffling, sneezing, and itching.
  • Decongestants can offer you relief for stuffy noses and help remove dried mucus from your nose.
  • Immunotherapy from oral tablets or allergy shots can help bring you relief.

It is ill-advised to self medicate. You must see a doctor and get the right prescription and dosages. Only take the prescribed amounts to ensure your safety.

In the end, the fall brings allergens to wreak havoc on your body. Taking measures such as learning about the most common allergens, allergy symptoms, measures to manage your allergies, and the common treatments can make your life in the fall a lot easier.