Do Allergies Get Worse in Autumn?

People usually assume that allergies are most commonly activated in the spring as flowers, trees, and grass are blooming, marking the beginning of the allergy season. The fall allergy season, however, commences in August and extends through November, during which ragweed releases pollen from August to November. This produces pollen, which triggers springtime allergies. However, allergies can occur throughout the year, and autumn has its own allergy triggers. So, if you have been feeling allergy-related symptoms, you are likely experiencing fall allergies, which are not necessarily worse but are activated by different sources.

Understanding Seasonal Allergies

Also known as hay fever, allergic rhinitis can be activated during several months throughout the year. Allergies are caused by the immune system mistaking an allergen as a threat to the body and then attacking it. The immune system does this by creating and releasing antibodies to fight the allergen. When the body comes into contact with the allergen again, more antibodies are made, as well as histamine and chemical mediators. These chemicals create allergic reactions that produce the symptoms we commonly associate with allergies: runny nose, itchy eyes, sneezing, congestion, itchy nose, etc.

Activation of allergies depends on the specific substance or allergen that a person is allergic to and when that substance is produced and emitted into the environment. Flowers, grass, trees, and weeds release their particular pollens – a substance plants create to fertilize other plants – at specific times during the year, and these are referred to as allergens. Different types of pollen are more prevalent during specific months of the year, including the following:

• January – April: pollen released from trees such as pine, ash, poplar, and elm. Tree pollination begins earliest in the year, followed by grass pollination in the spring and summer.
• Summer months: pollen from grass
• Fall: pollen from weeds. Pollen levels tend to peak in early to mid-September, particularly for ragweed and grass.

Allergies are not as common during the winter. A person’s experience with allergies depends on several factors, including specific allergens, where one lives, time of year, etc. The most common source of seasonal allergies is pollen produced by trees, grass, and weeds. These allergies can be more intense during the spring and summer because warm temperatures (therefore, dry climate) allow pollen to stay in the environment longer. However, fall allergies can also flare up and be challenging to deal with due to prevalent allergy symptoms. Climatic conditions, such as a rainy spring, can promote rapid plant growth, leading to increased pollen levels and worsened seasonal allergies.

Autumn Fall Allergies: Understanding Fall Allergies

Pollen widely circulates during fall months, triggering autumn allergies. Common fall allergy symptoms often mimic those of colds or flu, particularly as the weather changes. The most dominant source of pollen during the fall is the ragweed plant, with pollen levels peaking between August and November, particularly in early to mid-September. Ragweed releases pollen from August to November, with peak counts in mid-September. Ragweed plants grow all over the U.S., and one single plant can produce up to 1 billion grains of pollen during one season. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, 75% of people who experience allergies during the springtime are also impacted by ragweed pollen. Ragweed allergies produce the same symptoms as other seasonal allergies: runny noses, watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, etc. In addition to ragweed, other seasonally related triggers such as mold and dust mites can also activate fall allergies. There are other types of grasses and weeds that can activate fall allergies, including:

• Goldenrod
• Sagebrush
• Tumbleweed

Pollen from these sources can remain in the environment well into fall months. And as cooler temperatures allow us to still comfortably spend time outside, we can regularly be exposed to these allergens. So, it is important to still be treating your allergies!

Managing Your Allergies with Allergy Shots

There are no cures for seasonal allergies, but there are different ways you can effectively manage your symptoms. Most commonly, people take over-the-counter medications that alleviate symptoms; these include:

• Antihistamines: taken orally, antihistamines are used to alleviate the most common symptoms of allergies (Claritin, Zyrtec, Allegra, etc.)
• Decongestants: These are taken to relieve nasal congestion and a stuffy nose specifically and can be taken either orally or via nasal spray.
• Allergy shots: Allergy shots are a form of allergen immunotherapy designed to gradually desensitize patients to specific allergens, thereby reducing their allergy symptoms significantly over time.

People also take both antihistamines and decongestants and/or practice a variety of other homeopathic interventions like:

• Rinsing nasal pathways with saline solution to reduce congestion with a neti pot or squeeze bottle. This clears the mucus and allergens in your nasal passages.
• Breathing in the steam from a pot or humidifier can break down the buildup of mucus, which causes congestion.

In addition to these methods, there are tips you can practice to help manage allergies, including:

• Know the pollen count! You can check pollen counts on the news or look on the internet and if pollen is expected to be high, start taking medications in advance.
• Keep windows and doors closed when pollen is high.
• Limit your time outdoors.
• Remove clothes and shoes worn outside when returning.
• Keep the air indoors as clean as possible.

Spring allergies typically begin in February and extend into early summer due to tree and grass pollination. For those who have not found relief through other means, allergen immunotherapy is a beneficial treatment option. Allergy shots, or allergen immunotherapy, not only alleviate symptoms but also serve as a disease-modifying therapy that can reduce overall allergy sensitivity over time. It is important to consult an allergist to determine if this treatment is suitable for you.

Enticare

At Enticare, our ear, nose, and throat doctors provide treatment for diseases of the ears, nose, and throat in children and adults through surgical and non-surgical techniques. Our team of respiratory therapists can help with allergy issues. Contact us today!