Welcome to Fall - Pumpkin Pies, Leaves and Oh Yeah...Allergies

Fall is my absolute favorite time of year. I love watching the leaves turn colors. I don't even mind raking leaves. I really like the cooler weather, too.

While this is a wonderful time to eat pumpkin pie with whipped topping and homemade chili, it can be quite annoying when you are coughing, sneezing and rubbing your itchy eyes.

Yep it's fall allergy season. Allergies don't just happen in the spring when all the flowers and trees bloom. They can be just as bad in the fall.

There are a couple causes of fall allergies. Ragweed, mold and dust mites being the most common reasons for the majority of all the allergy symptoms.

Ragweed pollen is usually the worst from late summer to mid fall. It is sometimes called "hay fever". The pollen from ragweed can even travel for up to 400  miles with wind.

Mold and not just inside kind is another cause for allergy symptoms. Outdoor mold can be found in the soil, under leaves that pile up on the ground, and with mold spores very small and lightweight they are easily carried by the wind and inhaled.

Dust/Dust mites are yet another allergen.  As it starts to get cooler and the heaters get turned on, all the dust that sat in the air ducts is blown back into the air.


Unfortunately the only way to completely avoid the pollen is to stay inside with the windows closed or with a mask on when you go outside.  The easiest way to keep mold at bay is to make sure the leaves in your yard are raked, bagged and disposed of.  As for dust and dust mites, you can always have your vents and air returns cleaned and keep the home dusted and vacuumed frequently.

If you don't want to be a shut-in all fall, visit your doctor or allergist for some allergy medicine to help you feel as close to normal and enjoy your life as usual.