With fall right around the corner, you’re probably anticipating changing leaves and cooler temperatures. However, along with the fall season come the familiar discomforts of sniffles, a stuffy nose, and itchy eyes, especially for those with allergies to plants like ragweed. Unfortunately, climate change has exacerbated the intensity and duration of these symptoms, making it even more crucial to be proactive in managing autumn allergies.
“If you suffer from seasonal allergies, you never want the changing seasons to catch you off guard,” says Shaan Waqar, M.D., an allergist/immunologist who practices out of ENT and Allergy Associates’ Plainview, NY, office. “If you plan ahead, there are a number of steps and strategies you can employ to make this year’s fall allergy season far more manageable, regardless of your environmental conditions or the region you live in.”
Whether you’ve battled allergies for years or suspect they may be causing your recent discomfort, the following tips can help you prepare for autumn allergies in advance, minimizing itching, sneezing, and wheezing so you can fully enjoy the season:
- Stay Informed: Monitor local pollen and mold counts, and avoid extended outdoor exposure on high-count days. Use air conditioning in your home and car to filter out allergens, keeping windows closed.
- Start Medication Early: If you take allergy medication in the fall, don’t wait for symptoms to appear. Begin your medication roughly two weeks before your typical symptom onset for maximum effectiveness. Continue taking it for two weeks after the first frost, as symptoms may linger.
- Change HVAC filters every three months with a MERV rating of 11-13.
- Leave outdoor shoes at the door, and launder clothes after outdoor activities.
- Shower or bathe at night to prevent allergens from transferring to your bed.
- Avoid hanging washed clothes or bedding outside to dry.
- Consult an allergist: As environmental conditions and your body’s response to allergens can change, it’s advisable to visit an allergist for an updated, personalized treatment plan. Allergists specialize in diagnosing and treating allergies and asthma, using the latest testing and treatments to improve your quality of life, no matter the season.
