Late Fall Allergies

Allergies are attributed to various external and environmental factors. A common misconception is that allergies are the most prevalent during the spring months, when certain types of flowers and trees begin to pollinate after having been dormant during the winter months. According to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, more than 36 million people in the United States are affected by seasonal allergens. However, there are ways to minimize allergy affects and treat the symptoms to make life more comfortable for allergy sufferers during the autumn months.

Types

• Specific types of weeds pollinate during the fall, including pigweed, plantain, ragweed, sagebrush and sorrel. According to the AAAAI, ragweed is the predominant type of allergen during the fall. Every ragweed can produce up to 1 billion grains of pollen. To make matters worse, pollen from ragweed is lightweight and can be carried by winds for 400 miles. Mold is another common fall allergen.

Location

• Ragweed plants are more common in the Midwest, Northeast and Southern regions of the United States. The AAAAI explains that late fall allergy sufferers are most common in urban areas of these regions because ragweed plants are prevalent in undeveloped fields. Ragweed plants pollinate in the Midwest and Northeast regions between the months of August and November, while those living in Southern states may start feeling the affects of ragweed as early as July of each year.

Symptoms

• According to CBS News, the most common symptoms of fall allergies include congestion, sneezing, runny nose, coughing, sore throat, wheezing and itchy eyes. Such symptoms can make you more vulnerable to develop infections, insomnia and sinus problems. Asthmatic allergy sufferers may experience more severe symptoms like chest pain and breathing difficulties.

Prevention/Solution

• The most effective way to prevent fall allergy attacks is by staying indoors as often as possible. Take care in washing your hair and body thoroughly after being outdoors. When preventive measures fail, your doctor will likely recommend a decongestant or an antihistamine. Allergy shots may be required in more severe cases.

Considerations

• During allergy season, symptoms of allergies are often mistaken as those of a cold. Allergy testing is an important way to determine what type of late fall allergen you are allergic to so that you may better prevent and treat allergy symptoms. CBS News reports that fall allergies often develop during childhood, but they tend to worsen during your 20s and 30s. Your chance of developing allergies is greater if you have a family history of them. A proactive approach to allergy testing can save you time and suffering later in life.