Understanding Autumn/Fall Allergy and How to Control It
Autumn is
characterized by drifting of leaves as the moisture levels on the ground
increase. Autumn or fall allergy is very common during this time. There are many
allergens that provoke fall allergy. The most common ones are:
Allergens That Provoke Fall Allergy
Ragweed: this is a plant that produces billions of grains. Since it pollinates towards the end of summer, there’s abundance of pollen in the air during autumn thus people who are allergic to ragweed tend to develop autumn allergy.
Dust mites: there are a good number of people who are allergic to dust mites. Although, the mites thrive during the warm, humid months of the year, you can stir up their allergens when you turn on heat during Autumn.Outdoor molds: outdoor mold is common in leaves, soil and compost pile. Since mold is light and small, you can easily inhale it into your lungs thus provoking allergic reaction. The good news is though that you can avoid it. Since you are most likely to come into contact with mold when raking leaves, trimming shrubs or mowing the lawn, it’s recommended that you wear a mask when engaging in any of these activities.
If you are allergic to mite dust it’s recommended that you don a mask when vacuuming or engaging in other cleaning activities. Buying mite-proof bedding and pillow encasing has also been found to play a great role in ensuring that you don’t get into contact with the dust.
Symptoms of Autumn/Fall Allergies
The symptoms of autumn allergy include: sneezing, itchy eyes, stuffy nose, watery eyes, dry skin, eczema and itching at the back of the throat. Some people experience wheezing in their lungs and in some extreme cases you can experience anaphylaxis which is life threatening.
Tips on How to Control Autumn Allergies
There are a number of ways in which you can control fall allergies. The most effective ways include:
Taking precautions: the precautions that you need to take include:
- When working outside or indoors always ensure that you wear a face mask
- Always remove pollen from your skin and hair as soon as you come into contact with it
- Dry your clothes inside the dryer instead of hanging them outside
- Remove decaying leaves from your yard and gutters
- Leave the windows open and avoid breathing the air for a few minutes when you turn on your air conditioner
Foods: there are many autumn allergy-fighting foods that you can eat and have a relief. Some of the foods that you should eat are:
- Broccoli: it’s rich in allergy-relieving vitamin C. It’s also a member of crucifer family which has been shown to aid in clearing out blocked-up sinuses.
- Kale: just like broccoli, kales are a member of crucifer family. It also has plenty of vitamin A which improves allergy symptoms.
Over the counter medications: there are many antihistamine medications in the market that you can take and ease the allergic symptoms. Speak to your doctor of pharmacist to determine which one will best suit you or your child (depending on age).