All of a sudden, your allergies begin acting up again—nose gets stuffy, eyes and throat get a bit itchy, and you feel unusually lethargic. You wonder what’s causing this flare-up only to realize it’s the beginning of a new season. Oh, it must be fall allergies. You may be right, but what does it mean exactly when people refer to “fall allergies?”
A radio station was just discussing the immense impact of the fall equinox on people with allergies. Apparently, the change from summer to fall brings many immuno-sensitive folks to the doctor. Here’s why:
4 Reasons for Fall Allergies:
Wind. As the season changes to fall, there are more windy days. Wind is capable of blowing pollen from ragweed, grasses, and trees up to 100 miles from its source. So in the fall, we are breathing in these allergens even more.
Hay Fever. Hay fever results from allergies to ragweed. Because ragweed pollinates in mid-August, we tend to see a rise in people with allergic rhinitis just as fall begins to set in. Those who have chronic allergies to ragweed should see an allergist.
Raking. Fall allergies can result from performing a popular fall chore —raking. Raking leaves can easily stir up pollen and mold which can trigger allergy and asthma symptoms. So should you leave the leaves alone? Not necessarily. You can try putting on a NIOSH-rated N95 mask whenever you’re working in your garden to keep out the allergens.
Back to School. Kids go back to school right before fall which means added exposure to various allergens in the classroom. Also, your kids may be breathing in new allergens from plants in their school yard. To stay prepared, alert your child’s teacher of any allergies and send a supply of allergy medications to the school nurse.
Read Hospitality Health ER’s blog to learn more about Texas allergies and food allergies. You can also join our very active online community by liking our Facebook page.
