Seasonal allergies, including fall allergies, affect more than 35
million Americans and cost the U.S. economy more than $7 billion in lost
productivity.
Fall Allergies: Understanding Allergens - Inhalant allergens are substances
that can trigger allergy symptoms when inhaled by sensitive people. Inhalant allergens are divided into two types
on the basis of their persistence: perennial and seasonal. Perennial allergens
are present throughout the year, with little variation. Seasonal allergens have
distinct periods of time in which they are present in the environment in large
quantities.
Plants typically pollinate in three seasons: These seasons vary in
length as a function of the growing season. In the spring, trees pollinate. In
the summer months, especially in early summer, grasses pollinate. Finally, in
late summer and into fall, weeds pollinate.
Fall Allergies: Ragweed - One of the main contributors to fall
allergies is the ragweed plant. A single plant can produce one billion pollen
grains per season. Ragweed grows abundantly throughout the South, North, and
Midwest, and its lightweight pollen grains can travel up to 400 miles in the
wind. Ragweed pollen has a very distinct
season from late summer to mid-fall. East of the Rocky Mountains, ragweed is
the predominant cause of outdoor fall allergy symptoms. Ragweed can be found
growing in vacant lots, along the road, and in open fields. In areas with
colder temperatures, the first frost usually occurs at about the time ragweed
pollination ends. In Southern regions, ragweed may pollinate through the winter.
Fall Allergies: Other Weeds - In various parts of the country,
goldenrod, curly dock, lamb’s quarters, pigweed, sheep sorrel, and sagebrush
can all cause fall allergies. Goldenrod blooms at the same time that ragweed
does, but it is insect-pollinated [as opposed to wind-pollinated] and is not a
significant allergen for most individuals. The bright goldenrod flower,
however, does alert everyone that the more inconspicuous ragweed is also
blooming.
Fall Allergies: Molds - Outdoor molds are another cause of fall
allergies. They first appear in early spring, but thrive until the first frost.
They are common in soil, compost piles, and in the leaves that cover the ground
during the fall. In temperate climates, mold spores form a distinct fall season
in mid to late fall, after ragweed season is over. Mold spores are common
airborne allergens. They are light, very small, and easily inhaled into the
lungs. Spores raise high in the atmosphere during the warming of the day,
falling back to the ground with the cool of evening.
Fall Allergies: Protecting Yourself
If you have fall allergies, you should be extra cautious on windy days
and in the morning. Wind-pollinated plants such as ragweed have specialized
male flowers that produce huge amounts of buoyant pollen, easily released into
the wind. Pollen is most often released in the mornings, thus there is a caution
to people who are allergic to pollen have strong sensitivities in the morning.
Here are some other precautions you can take:
·
Use a face mask when you are outside, especially
between 5 and 10 a.m. and on windy days.
·
Remove pollen from your skin and hair by
showering frequently.
·
Keep your windows closed and turn on the air
conditioner.
·
Dry your clothes inside in the dryer instead of
hanging clothes outside.
·
Have decaying leaves removed from your yard and
gutters.
·
If you rake leaves in the fall, wear a face
mask.
·
When you first turn on your car air conditioner,
leave your windows open and avoid breathing the air for several minutes until
mold spores can disperse.
Fall Allergies: Don’t Suffer in Silence - If your symptoms of sneezing,
runny nose, or itchy and watery eyes get worse in the fall, you probably have
an outdoor fall allergy. Eighty percent of people with seasonal allergies
complain about these symptoms as well as problems with sleeping, being tired,
having poor concentration, and decreased productivity at school or work.
But treatment is available. Many [people] can be helped with modern
medical treatments, if they would only complain to their doctors and get tested
to detect possible allergies.
If it happens like clock-work, every year with the same symptoms, then
it’s an allergy, if it happens sometimes but not at the same time , then it
might be an allergy; it is best to see your doctor, who will run tests to make
the determination, and get you help. - Bird
