Cooler temperatures and colorful foliage are not the only signs of autumn. For some of us, itchy eyes and runny noses (aka “allergic rhinitis”) signal that the fall allergy season is underway.

Here is what you need to know to help you cope:

1. Don’t forget about mold. While ragweed is the most common outdoor allergen from mid-August through October, mold spores can also set off an allergic response, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI). Whether the source is outdoor (Alternaria, Cladosporium and Hormodendrum) or indoor (Aspergillus and Penicillium) the symptoms are similar: sneezing, nasal congestion, clear nasal mucus and/or itchy watery eyes. The good news is that a mold allergy is unrelated to toxic mold, says the AAAAI.

If you have a mold allergy, avoid these common triggers:

• Outdoors—Heavy vegetation, hay, straw, fallen leaves or cut grass are breeding grounds for mold
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• Indoors—Basements, crawl spaces or other areas with indoor humidity exceeding 50 percent. While dehumidifiers can inhibit mold growth, they won’t remove existing mold, says Warren V. Filley, MD, FAAAAI .Instead, clean the moldy areas with a 10 percent bleach solution or discard infected items.
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2. You are never too old to develop allergies. “Your immune system is dynamic and always changing,” says David J. Shulan, MD, FAAAAI. Consider allergy testing if your symptoms follow a predictable pattern (worse in the spring or fall, for example)—even if this is a new pattern for you.

3. It could be the common cold. When kids return to school, there tends to be a big spike in respiratory tract infections, says Dr. Shulan, which can often be mistaken for allergies. Here’s how to tell: Cold symptoms usually develop over several days and tend to disappear after a week, but allergy symptoms begin almost immediately after exposure to an allergen and can last for weeks or even months.

4. You may need several medications to get relief. Over-the counter antihistamines, like loratadine (Claritin) or citirizine (Zyrtec), inhibit the effects of histamine (released by the body during an allergic reaction), which reduces your symptoms. You can pick up a decongestant at the drug store to ease nasal congestion. If you have recurring or severe allergies, talk to your doctor about prescription medications, like corticosteroids, which help prevent or reduce inflammation and can be significantly stronger than antihistamines, though they take several days to work. Prescription antihistamine nasal sprays, such as azelastine (Astepro) or olopatadine (Patanase), are also available.

5. Give your nose a bath. Rinsing out your nose (nasal irrigation) two to three times a day can provide relief, according to several studies. Use a bulb/ear syringe, Neti pot or Waterpik with a Grossan Sinus Irrigator Tip nasal irrigation tip and a buffered hypertonic saline nasal irrigation solution.