If you have a persistent runny nose, watery eyes, coughing, itchy eyes, and sneezing long past the spring and summer, don’t just assume it’s the early signs of a fall cold. Fall allergies may be the culprit.
Texas is a hotspot for fall allergy triggers. If you’re suffering, contact the team at South Plains Rural Health Services, Inc. with locations in Levelland, Lamesa, and Big Spring, Texas. We can help you find relief through trigger avoidance and medications.
Here are some things to know if you suspect you have fall allergies.
Ragweed pollen starts to release in late August and continues through November. It thrives when the days are warm and the nights are cooler.
Even if ragweed isn’t native to where you live, know that its pollen can be blown for hundreds of miles. And for those who are highly sensitive to ragweed, certain fruits and vegetables can cause symptoms. These include zucchini, bananas, and melons.
Ragweed may be the most common cause of fall allergies, but other plants can be to blame, including:
Allergies can also flare up in response to climate factors. Heat and humidity in the fall can cause molds to thrive, especially in piles of damp leaves. Windy and warm days result in high pollen counts, and when there’s no wind, pollen stays grounded and irritating.
Dust mites are another common allergy trigger. They thrive in the summer, but when you turn on your heat for the first time in the fall, you may experience sneezing, a runny nose, and wheezing. Kids who have allergies may suffer from dust mites stirred up in their schools as they return to class.
As kids return to school, they’re exposed to allergy triggers that can cause symptoms to flare in the fall. These may include classroom pets, chalk, and other classroom irritants.
It’s a good idea to alert the school nurse and your child’s teacher if they have severe allergies. You can leave medications with the nurse if your child’s symptoms become unbearable during the learning day.
The allergy specialists at South Plains Rural Health Services, Inc. can help you manage your fall allergies. They offer prescription medications, lifestyle changes, trigger avoidance, and other treatments for your suffering.
For kids and adults with allergy-induced asthma, seeing one of our specialists is a must. We can provide quick relief inhalers to help you find relief.
We can help you learn how to monitor pollen and mold counts through public information so you know when to stay indoors to avoid allergens. If you have sensitivity in the fall, it’s a good idea to keep your doors and windows shut and use air conditioning when needed. If you do spend time outdoors, shower, wash your hair, and change your clothes as soon as you come indoors.
When you do outdoor chores, like mowing the lawn, pulling weeds, or raking leaves, wear a NIOSH-rated 95 filter mask. We can also recommend medications to take before these activities to help prevent an intense onset of symptoms.
Fall allergies are real. If you’re suffering contact South Plains Rural Health Services office for an evaluation and treatment. Call the nearest location today, or use the online tool to set up an appointment.
