Fighting Common Fall Allergies

Reviewed By:
Marc J. Sicklick, M.D., FAAAAI, FACAAI

As the leaves begin to fall, do your allergy symptoms start to rise? More than 36 million Americans experience seasonal allergies, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI). For many people, fall is the worst time of year for symptoms such as frequent sneezing, runny nose and red, watery eyes.

Ragweed is the most common fall allergen, according to the AAAAI. People living in the Northeast, Midwest and South are most likely to encounter ragweed, a yellow flowering plant often found in fields, along roadsides and in vacant lots.

Avoiding ragweed is no easy task. Each ragweed plant produces 1 billion grains of pollen throughout its lifetime. Pollen is the small, powdery substance of a flowering plant involved in fertilization.

These grains are so lightweight that they can travel up to 400 miles. A person who sneezes in Kansas City may have a single ragweed plant in Peoria, Illinois, to thank for the experience.

Other weeds that may cause fall allergies include:

Amaranth
Cockleweed
Dock
Mugwort
Pigweed
Tumbleweed
Sagebrush

Outdoor molds are another frequent source of fall allergies. They are found in places such as fallen leaves, soil, rotted wood and rain gutters. Regions with damp falls also are susceptible to the growth of mold inside the home, especially in kitchens, bathrooms, basements and carpets. Like pollen, mold spores easily travel through the air.

Finally, trees (including some elms) and grasses that pollinate in the fall may trigger allergy symptoms.

Reducing Exposure

You can significantly reduce your exposure to these fall allergens by taking certain precautions. For example, keeping your yard free of fallen leaves can help prevent molds from forming. If you are prone to allergies, cover your face with a pollen mask when you rake or perform other yard work.

Pollen and mold reports can alert you to when these counts are highest. If your symptoms are related to plant pollens, stay indoors as much as possible when pollen counts are high. Pollen counts typically are highest during the early morning.

If molds trigger most of your symptoms, stay indoors in the evenings or following heavy rains.

Other tips for reducing fall allergies include:

Try to stay indoors on dry, windy days. These conditions often cause pollen and mold spores to become airborne.
Keep windows closed at home and in the car.
Use an air filter in your home that removes allergens from the air.
Use a dehumidifier to reduce humidity in damp areas and change the water reservoir frequently.
Do not hang laundry outside to dry, as it can pick up pollen.
Wash pets frequently to keep their coats allergen-free.
Shower frequently to get pollen and mold spores off your skin and out of your hair.
Leave shoes at the door when you return home. This prevents allergens from being disbursed throughout your home.

Despite these measures, fall allergies may continue to cause symptoms. In such cases, consult your physician, who can verify the source of the allergy and suggest an effective treatment.

For more information on avoiding fall allergens, see the Allergies & Asthma message board.