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Fall Allergy Symptoms

Autumn is normally a time for people to be outside, enjoying the last of the warmth before winter, participating in outdoor activities with friends and family. Some people, however, find the coming of autumn forces them to stay indoors as they try to escape the symptoms of hay fever or fall allergies.

  1. Runny Nose/Congestion

    • The fall allergy sufferer begins sneezing and going through boxes of tissues as he blows his nose, trying to get rid of the constant drip; when his nose isn't running, it's congested, swelling in response to the allergens in the air. As he tries to find relief, he feels more and more miserable. If enough phlegm and mucous accumulate, he develops post-nasal drip, which can contribute to a transient sore throat.

    Sneezing

    • The person suffering from fall allergies will begin sneezing as allergens start to irritate her nasal passages. First, she'll notice her nose itches, then she'll sneeze uncontrollably as her respiratory system tries to rid itself of the irritants. This cycle will repeat itself more than once during the allergy season; the allergy sufferer will also notice that, in addition to her sneezing attacks, she will feel other allergy symptoms.

    Itchy/Watery Eyes

    • Fall is not a good season for allergy sufferers to wear contact lenses. As allergens irritate a sufferer's system, his eyes will respond much as his nose has--they will become irritated, watery and itchy. This happens because the allergens affect the moist mucous membranes of his eyes. If he rubs his eyes, he will only make the itchiness worse, and, in addition, will make the irritation much worse. His eyes will become red, inflamed and swollen. He should refrain from rubbing his eyes; instead, he should talk to his doctor about allergy relief eye drops.

    Sinus Headache

    • The fall allergy sufferer can also fall victim to sinus headaches as the pressure and congestion within her sinuses leads to pain. The congestion exerts pressure against her sinus cavities (they are located just above and beneath both eyes). If she bends over, the pain will become worse because the blood will rush to her head and cause more pressure. If she lies down, she won't feel better; in fact, getting up and remaining upright so her sinuses can drain more effectively will help her to relieve some of the pain.

    Preventive Treatments

    • Someone who suffers from fall allergies can reduce the severity of his symptoms by starting to take an antihistamine or decongestant one to two months prior to the onset of symptoms. He can talk to his doctor and get a prescription for an allergy medication, but it will take up to one month for that medication to take effect. He can also take an over-the-counter or prescription nasal spray, which will reduce the swelling of his nasal passages. Prescription eye drops are also available. Some allergy sufferers find they need more than one medication; this means their allergies are becoming worse.

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