Taking the Itch Out of Fall Allergies

Autumn may conjure rustic images of falling leaves and hay rides for outdoor enthusiasts, but for many seasonal allergy sufferers, it's often just another reason to stock up on tissue and stay inside.

But by learning what triggers your seasonal allergy symptoms, also known as hay fever, experts say you can work with your doctor to come up with a treatment plan that not only treats your symptoms but prevents them from coming back.

Fall Allergy Triggers

Seasonal allergy symptoms are caused by an allergic response to mold, pollen, or other tiny microscopic substances.

Common triggers of fall seasonal allergies include:

• Ragweed. Found along roadsides and in vacant lots, fields, and other sunny spots, this common weed with finely divided leaves and tiny, greenish-white, down-turned blossoms is the leading cause of fall allergy symptoms.
• Mold. Indoor and outdoor mold counts peak in the humid months of late summer and early autumn and are especially problematic for people with asthma and allergies. Outdoor molds are found in falling leaves, soil, vegetation, and rotting wood. Indoor molds flourish in damp household areas such as basements, shower stalls, and near washing machines and dryers.
• Dust mites. Although present year round, dust mites thrive in humidity and can cause problems during the fall months when they're stirred up by dirty ventilation systems.

Discuss treatment options with your doctor. Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may recommend trying over-the-counter options first, or a combination of over-the-counter and prescription medications.

"When you turn on your furnace, you distribute a lot of mold and mites that have been sitting there all summer," says Christopher Randolph, MD, associate clinical professor of allergy, immunology, and pediatrics at Yale University. "That's a very common problem for indoor allergies in the fall."

But outdoors, experts say ragweed is king when it comes to triggering fall allergy symptoms.

"Ragweed is the No. 1 fall and late summer weed in most areas of the U.S. that causes fall allergies," says Clifford Bassett, MD, medical director of Allergy and Asthma Care of New York. "One ragweed plant can produce one billion pollen grains that can travel from 300 to 700 miles in the air."

Bassett says research suggests that ragweed pollen production is also on the rise due to global warming, so more and more people are becoming affected by this common allergy trigger.

To find current pollen and mold spore counts in your area, contact the National Allergy Bureau (www.aaaai.org/nab), which provides reports to the public. Many regional weather reports also include information on pollen and mold spore counts.

Treat Symptoms Before They Start

Experts say many people mistakenly think that you should wait and treat seasonal allergy symptoms after they start. But in fact, the best way to get relief from runny noses and itchy, watery eyes is to prevent them before they start.