Spring isn’t the only time that more than 80 million Americans have to worry about seasonal allergies.
The fall comes with its own pesky pollen and mold that can result in clogged noses and itchy eyes.
“While spring allergies are caused by tree pollen, fall allergies are caused by weeds, with ragweed being the biggest culprit,” Dr. Soo Kwak, an allergy and immunology specialist with NewYork-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital, explained in a statement.
Native to the central and eastern U.S., a single ragweed plant can release up to a billion grains of irritating pollen, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Pollen produced by this member of the daisy family can travel hundreds of miles, worsening respiratory symptoms for people with asthma and lung conditions.
“Symptoms of ragweed allergy are similar to those caused by tree pollen — runny nose, itchy eyes, sneezing, scratchy throat and nasal congestion,” Kwak noted. “The most symptomatic patients may not experience relief until after a hard frost.”
Frost can kill pollen-producing ragweed. But, ragweed isn’t the only allergen to monitor in the colder months.
People also need to be concerned about mold, which often grows in damp and cool areas of a house or under piles of fallen leaves. And as people spend more time indoors, they’re also more exposed to dust mites and their waste. Both mold and mites can be a problem year-round and are considered perennial allergens.
“All people are different, but often, people with allergies are sensitive to multiple allergens — spring, fall and perennial,” allergist Dr. Mark Aronica told the clinic. “Sometimes, though, we do see patients with only a few sensitivities or with symptoms only in one of the seasons.”
Still, allergy seasons are getting longer and stronger for everyone due to human-caused climate change.
The frost-free season has lengthened by more than two weeks on average across the U.S. due to rising temperatures, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Plants are blooming earlier and producing more pollen.
“That’s why allergies are feeling a lot worse,” Kenneth Mendez, president and chief executive of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, told The New York Times last year.
So, what are allergic Americans to do? Well, there are several simple steps people can take to feel relief.
Using eye drops, nose sprays, and decongestant medications can provide more immediate relief from uncomfortable symptoms.
