Seasonal allergies can quickly take the joy out of a beautiful day. Spring is often thought of as allergy season. But fall is one of the worst times for allergies. And mid-September, in particular, takes the cake. Doctors often call the third week of September “asthma peak week.”
So why is fall the perfect storm for seasonal allergies? Mostly because of pollen.
“Weed pollen, especially ragweed, is one of the main causes of fall allergy symptoms,” says Clifford Bassett, MD. He’s an allergist who serves on the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America Medical Scientific Council.
Human-caused climate change is creating longer and warmer growing seasons in North America. That’s according to a study published in 2021 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). It’s based on research done from 1990 to 2018. This gives plants more time to grow and produce more pollen. So pollen concentrations are higher, and pollen seasons are longer.
“Pollen growing seasons have gotten 2 weeks longer on average. And more carbon dioxide emissions can create more potent pollen,” says Kenneth Mendez. He’s the president and CEO of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA).
And a side effect of seasonal allergies is asthma. More than 25 million people in the U.S. have asthma. And allergic asthma is the most common type. It affects around 60% of people with asthma, according to the AAFA.
Here’s what happens with allergic asthma. Your immune system thinks the allergens are harmful. It responds to the threat by releasing a substance called immunoglobulin E (or IgE). This triggers inflammation and swelling in your lungs and can make it hard to breathe.
Struggling to breathe is a scary feeling. So read on to learn the most common fall triggers and how to prevent allergic reactions.
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The 2 biggest fall allergy triggers
Ragweed pollen
This pollen affects about 15% of Americans, according to the AAFA. Several types of ragweed grow in 49 states and have pollen so light that it can travel hundreds of miles. Depending on where you live in the U.S., ragweed season can start around July or August, peak in mid-September and last until November.
Ragweed can cause several asthma and allergy symptoms. They can include:
- Runny nose
- Nasal congestion
- Sneezing
- Red and watery eyes
- Itchy nose, eyes, ears and mouth
- Swelling around the eyes
Mold
The allergy symptoms from mold are very similar to ragweed and other allergens. “Mold spores may become airborne as we ease into autumn as decaying leaves and other vegetation fall to the ground,” says Dr. Bassett.
How to care for fall allergies
You can choose from many over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications to help treat fall allergies.
“OTC nasal corticosteroid sprays [such as Flonase or Nasacort®] are effective for allergic rhinitis (also known as hay fever). They’re especially good for nasal congestion and/or stuffiness,” says Dr. Bassett. Other medications that may help reduce symptoms include long-acting or non-sedating antihistamines, antihistamine nasal sprays, oral montelukast (Singulair) and cromolyn sodium nasal spray, he adds.
“A saline nasal rinse can help flush away excess nasal secretions and/or mucus, which can provide relief,” says Dr. Bassett. “This is helpful with cold symptoms as well.”
Antihistamines can also help. They block histamines, which are chemicals released by white blood cells when the immune system is triggered.
“If you need an antihistamine, choose one that is longer-acting and has fewer side effects than [traditional] diphenhydramine (Benadryl®),” adds Mendez.
If OTC options don’t ease your symptoms, you may need prescription inhalers or medications. These might include albuterol, ProAir® HFA, Symbicort, Flovent HFA and prednisolone.
Talk with your allergist before allergy season begins about which treatment is right for you. Some treatments work best if taken before symptoms start. Dr. Bassett recommends seeing an allergist for skin testing. It can help pinpoint a person’s seasonal or year-round triggers.
