As the warm, hazy days of late summer give way to the crisp, chilly nights of early fall, the stage is set for naturally occurring irritants that make millions of allergy sufferers miserable.
The irritants, ragweed and mold spores, are the season’s most common allergy triggers.
Ragweed is the biggest culprit, that ubiquitous roadside plant whose wind-borne pollen grains can travel up to 700 miles. As the crow flies, that’s the distance from Atlantic City to Chicago.Mold spores are also very prevalent during the fall months, because that’s the time of year when there are more dead and decaying plants, fallen leaves and rotting wood, where mold is harbored.
Indoor molds can also be a problem for allergy sufferers when mold grows in damp areas of the house—in basements and shower stalls, and near washing machines and dryers.
Another indoor irritant is dust mites. While these microscopic bugs live in our homes year-round, they’re stirred up and dispersed throughout the house when we turn our furnaces on. Dust mites thrive in warmth and high humidity, and the warmer indoor temperatures in the fall and winter months make for a perfect environment. They live in upholstered furniture, feather blankets and pillows, box springs and mattresses, but mostly in carpet. Removing the places where dust mites can survive, especially carpet, will remove exposure.
Also, keep the indoor temperature below 68-69 degrees and the indoor humidity at less than 60 percent.
“The best advice for fall allergy sufferers is to stay inside during the peak pollen times, before 9 a.m., and during the peak mold times, in the late afternoon. Use air conditioning as much as possible, keep your windows closed, and, to lower the number of dust mites in your home, control the indoor temperature and humidity,” said Maria Lania-Howarth, M.D., head of allergy-immunology at Cooper University Hospital.
“Especially important is to begin taking your medications early, preventively, before your symptoms actually start,” Dr. Lania-Howarth said, noting the region’s heavy production of ragweed pollen, from late summer to the first frost.
Seasonal allergies are caused when the immune system over-reacts to environmental irritants. Symptoms typically develop during childhood, peak between the ages of 20 to 40, and continue throughout a lifetime.
Yet, symptoms often go untreated and can potentially lead to more life-threatening conditions. Allergic reactions such as runny nose, watery and itchy eyes, sneezing, sore throat, nasal congestion, headache, coughing, insomnia and fatigue are milder symptoms. Skin irritations, breathing difficulties and asthma are among the more serious reactions that can develop.
“Sometimes, people’s allergy symptoms will change over time because they are exposed to different allergens. Some allergy sufferers can lose their sensitivity and others will gain sensitivity. To feel better and to prevent serious health problems from developing, allergy symptoms really require proper evaluation and targeted treatment,” Dr. Lania-Howarth said.
Cooper University Hospital’s allergists-immunologists see patients of all ages, from infants to geriatrics. They specialize in the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of allergy-related conditions, including asthma, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, hives, angioedema (swelling), contact dermatitis, eczema, eye and food allergy, and severe allergic reactions.
“We have a wide range of procedures, such as pulmonary function testing, skin testing for allergy diagnosis, blood testing, patch testing, and allergy shots to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of allergies,” Dr. Lania-Howarth said. “When irritants are properly identified, allergy and asthma effects can be minimized,” she said.
To schedule an appointment with a Cooper University Hospital allergy-immunology specialist in Camden, Voorhees or Washington Township, New Jersey, call our physician referral and information service at 1-800-8-COOPER (1-800-826-6737).