Why Are My Allergies Worse In the Fall?
Fall is a time for new beginnings — including a new season full of symptoms for those living with allergies. Though the fall foliage may be visually stunning, it may leave you with a running nose and scratchy throat.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s vital to manage and treat your allergies as flu season hits its peak. Keep reading to learn how our board-certified specialists at Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia can help.
Autumn Weather and Your Allergies
Experts estimate that 37 million Americans experience sinusitis each year, and many patients report worse symptoms in the fall and winter than during the spring and summer months. This may be because ragweed pollen and mold are both prevalent during the colder months — both of these allergens can trigger your immune system's response and cause an allergy attack.
Additionally, without the hot temperatures that spring and summer have to offer, many Georgia residents spend more time indoors during the fall. Within our homes, schools, and workplaces, indoor allergens such as dust, pet dander, and mold can aggravate your symptoms.
Autumn Allergies and Your Asthma
Managing your asthma symptoms and staying healthy is even more critical this year in light of the COVID-19 pandemic — especially during flu season. According to the CDC, patients with moderate to severe asthma are at a higher risk of getting very sick if exposed to the coronavirus. Preparing your lungs with asthma treatment can help lessen the effect of your symptoms should you contract COVID-19.
How Can I Manage My Symptoms?
The best way to manage your allergies is to visit one of our board-certified specialists at Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia for testing so that we can determine what you’re allergic to. From there, it’s vital to receive allergy treatment as soon as possible. This year, allergy testing can not only help you breathe easier but help ease your mind of the idea that you may have contracted COVID-19.
Keep reading to learn how to avoid the most common allergens this season and how to keep your autumn allergies in check with the help of our board-certified specialists at Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia.
Avoiding Allergens This Season
The most common fall allergens we experience here in Georgia include:
- Mold
- Dust and dust mites
- Mildew
- Fallen leaves (especially oak tree leaves)
- Pollen
- Ragweed
In addition to causing symptoms such as itchy eyes, a sore throat, or asthma, an allergic reaction can also lead to more severe conditions such as a sinus infection or issues with your lung capacity. To stay healthy this fall, it's best to see your allergist for treatment and utilize these ways to avoid fall triggers:
1. Be Mindful of High Pollen Hours
While the worst time to be out during the fall is when it’s windy, pollen counts are typically at their peak between 10 AM and 5 PM. So, limit your time spent outside between these hours.
2. Wash Up When You Come Home
If you’ve spent time enjoying the autumn air, you’ve probably attracted outdoor allergens on your clothes and belongings. Once you’ve returned inside, be sure to change your clothes and wash up to avoid spreading these allergy triggers throughout your home.
3. Clean Your Home Often
Dust, mold, and pet dander are some indoor allergens that may trigger your symptoms this fall. And with more time spent inside — there’s more of a chance for these allergens to build up and cause a reaction. Be sure to clean communal living spaces in your home often, including your living room, bedrooms, dens, and bathrooms.
4. Rake Your Yard
In addition to keeping the inside of your home clean, you should keep your backyard free of fallen leaves and other debris that may cause an allergic reaction. To avoid triggering your symptoms, have a member of your family rake your yard frequently — or hire a landscaper to do so. This will allow you and your loved ones to enjoy the last bit of warm weather before winter, without the threat of an allergy attack.
5. Build Up Immunity With Allergy Treatments at Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia
This fall, managing your symptoms, and staying healthy is even more critical in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The key to preventing an allergy attack this fall is diagnosing your allergies and developing a treatment plan. At Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia, we can do just that at any of our convenient locations.
Whether you have allergies that have been diagnosed or believe that you suffer from allergies and haven't sought treatment, it's imperative to seek an allergist's help to manage your symptoms. Also known as allergic rhinitis, allergies, if left untreated, can cause the following chronic complications:
- Chronic ear infections
- Chronic sinusitis and nasal inflammation
- The development or worsening of asthma symptoms
- Sleep apnea or other sleep issues.
- Permanent damage to your lungs or reduced lung capacity.
How Are Allergies Diagnosed?
At Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia, our board-certified allergists specialize in allergy, asthma, sinus, and skin-related conditions. During an initial exam, our experienced doctors use these allergy testing methods to identify allergic triggers and sensitivities:
Patch Test: used especially to diagnose dermatitis, a suspected allergen is placed on to a patch, which is then placed on the skin of the upper back.
Intradermal: a small amount of one or more potential allergens is injected just below the arm's skin.
Scratch/Prick: a potential allergen is placed on the skin's surface to look for a reaction.
Once our team has identified specific allergens, we develop an allergen extract and prepare the extract in either tablets or drops — known as sublingual immunotherapy. Our extensive and effective sublingual immunotherapy treatment plans at Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia include allergy drops, allergy shots, and other medications.
Our board-certified, highly experienced allergists direct our immunotherapy program at Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia, and our shot program has been proven to reduce allergy symptoms by 80-90% for most people.
Book Your Same-Day Appointment With Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia Today
At Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia, our highly-qualified medical team provides diagnosis and treatment of chronic asthma, allergies, and sinus conditions. Speak to one of our Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia board-certified allergy specialists about the possibility of allergy drops or shots to find relief for your allergy symptoms. (770) 459-0620