September – The Sneeziest Month of the Year?

Allergies don’t just end once summer wraps up. Fall brings a new wave of allergy triggers, from peak ragweed pollen to indoor allergens and back-to-school germs. Here’s what to watch for, and how to find relief.

Ragweed

Ragweed is a brutal environmental allergen, and it peaks in most of the U.S. in September. It’s a weed that creates a huge amount of pollen – up to one billion grains per growing season. They’re tiny and can travel far, so even if you can’t see them, you’re likely to be affected.

The symptoms of ragweed allergy can be:

• Sneezing
• Congestion
• Headache
• Aggravated asthma symptoms

This allergy is also known to cause Oral Allergy Syndrome – local reactions after eating raw fruits and vegetables due to the similar properties to ragweed pollen. Foods like cantaloupe, banana, zucchini, mango, beans, and others may cause mouth or throat itching when eaten raw. For those already struggling with ragweed allergies, it can add another layer of frustrating symptoms.

More Time Indoors

This time of year brings people back indoors, as the days get shorter and the temperatures get cooler. It can bring reactions from indoor allergens like dust mites, pet dander and mold. While outdoor allergen exposure may decrease, indoor allergens often take their place, leaving little relief from allergy symptoms.

To keep indoor allergens at bay, use HEPA filters in air purifiers, AC units, and vacuums to help reduce allergen particles in the home.

Back to School Germs

Back-to-school season also brings an increase in colds, viruses, and other illnesses. For people already dealing with fall allergies, getting sick can make symptoms feel even worse and make it harder to tell where allergies end and illness begins.

Treating Fall Allergies

You don’t have to suffer through allergies all autumn. Treating the cause of allergies is a great option for lowering allergic reactions and overall inflammation that can make other illnesses worse.

Allergychoices recommends allergy drop immunotherapy to treat the root cause of all environmental allergies – identified through allergy testing, exam, and history. Allergy drops contain tiny amounts of the allergens you are allergic to, and the amount is increased slowly over time. The goal is that the body learns to tolerate more of the allergens, so that when exposed naturally, the body doesn’t respond with symptoms.

Allergies aren’t something you just have to live with. Find a provider near you that offers testing and treatment.