There’s no getting around it: fall allergies are here. Although the weather in central Florida is a welcome change from the hot, humid summer, we just endured. It’s quite refreshing—until you get a runny nose and watery eyes. Fall allergies are enough to ruin anyone’s plans for a trip to the pumpkin patch or a day out enjoying a stroll down some of Florida’s scenic hiking trails.
If you are suffering from fall allergies in central Florida, read on to learn more about how you can prevent and treat allergy flare-ups so you can get back to enjoying the season without a tissue in hand.
Symptoms of Fall Allergies
Fall allergies can sneak up on you, and before you know it, your nose is completely stopped up, and you’re left reaching for some over-the-counter meds. Not everyone exhibits the same symptoms when it comes to allergies. Therefore, it’s essential to understand how these symptoms might affect you and your day-to-day life. Here are a few symptoms that you might be on the lookout for, such as:
- congestion
- watery eyes
- itchy eyes
- fatigue
- asthma attacks
- trouble breathing
- sore throat
Cold and flu season is just around the corner, and like allergies, the symptoms are very similar. Through the use of allergy testing, you can prevent mix up during cold and flu season. This will help you treat the allergies instead of a cold or flu and vice versa.
Different Types of Allergies
In the fall months, allergies typically seem to be caused by mold, ragweed, or grass. These common culprits can create a host of symptoms and can make it challenging to find relief.
Mold
Mold is a top concern for those suffering from allergies and even those who might not be. Mold spores can be extremely harmful to your overall health. During the fall months, when central and north Florida experience cool and damp weather, mold thrives. This type of weather creates the perfect environment for mold to grow and spread. In many cases, the damper and more humid the environment, the higher chance your mold allergies will worsen.
Ragweed and Grass
Many people believe that they are clear from allergies caused by pollen from blooming flowers, plants, and grass once spring is over. Even though grass pollen primarily affects allergy suffers in the summer months, it can also carry through the fall season. Another one of Florida’s most common plants, the Ragweed, often reaches peak pollen levels around mid-September. One plant can produce around a billion grains of pollen per season, and these can travel hundreds of miles across the state. Leaving unsuspecting allergies suffers little to no chance to avoid these seasonal allergies.
Prevent Allergies
For many people reading this post with watery eyes and a runny nose, I can tell you that there is hope in preventing and treating these allergies. However, it may be near impossible to prevent seasonal allergies completely. There are many ways to decrease your symptoms and inevitably find some type of relief during the fall season. Here are a few preventative measures you can take, such as:
- staying inside as much as possible, yes, this can be tricky, especially when you want to enjoy the cool weather, but it will save you from clutching to tissue throughout the rest of the day.
- wearing a mask, something many of us is accustomed to now. Masks will help to prevent you from breathing in pollen and mold spores.
- using a good filter in your home. Filters can help to reduce toxins and purify the air within your home.
- using a dehumidifier to keep the air in your home at a good humidity level.
Seek Professional Treatment
If you find that you are suffering from fall allergies in central Florida, it’s always best to seek the help of an allergist. Through the use of allergy testing, they can help you determine the leading cause of your allergy symptoms. By narrowing down common allergens in your environment, you can better protect yourself when the season comes back around. An allergist can also help you establish a treatment plan and prescribe medication that works better than over-the-counter meds.
Take Control of Your Fall Allergies in Central Florida
Don’t spend the rest of the season missing out on the fun activities and weather that fall brings. If you suspect that you have fall seasonal allergies, contact Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates of Central Florida. We have four convenient locations in Orlando, Winter Park, Altamonte Springs, and Oviedo. Our providers are here to help you find relief from your allergies and get back to enjoying the fall.