Fall brings changing leaves, cool breezes, chilly nights, pumpkin everything, football games, and…allergy season. As the seasons change, so do your health concerns. Don’t let Fall allergies hold you back from enjoying the beautiful outdoors. Our Allergists, who work hand-in-hand with our ENT specialists, will tailor a treatment plan to help you feel better and live better.
Seasonal allergies aren’t just for the Spring. As much as many people wish otherwise, allergies can strike and cause problems through the end of the Fall. In fact, ragweed and falling autumn foliage can contribute to outdoor mold and spore growth as fallen leaves and wood piles provide the perfect hiding place for these allergy triggers. Here are 4 tips to help fight Fall allergies:
Keep outside mold away from your house.
Outdoor molds grow in leaf piles, rotting logs, and compost heaps. Remove all dead vegetation from around the perimeter of your house and make sure that water from rain gutters can run away from your foundation. When you are outside doing fall cleanup chores, make sure to wear a mask, and shower.
Avoid indoor mold.
Indoor molds love damp areas, so basements, bathrooms, laundry areas, and kitchens are among their favorite places. Always look for any leaks under sinks and around appliances and repair them. Get rid of any old, damp carpeting. Clean any mold you find on walls or inside cabinets, and after cleaning, be sure the surface is dried.
Fall ragweed and pollen.
It’s estimated that 75% of people who are allergic to spring plants are also affected by ragweed. Pollen is the main culprit, and ragweed is the biggest producer of pollen in the Fall. In fact, it can even last through the winter and keep your symptoms going even longer. When the pollen count is high, avoid going outside as much as possible, especially in the morning and on dry, warmer days.
Spring Cleaning? What about Fall Cleaning!
Keep the windows closed and run the air conditioning to keep pollen out, but make sure you change your filters regularly. A good HEPA filter removes airborne dust, mold spores, and pollen. Cleanliness inside your house is important to preventing allergy symptoms -- vacuuming and dusting regularly makes a big difference.
Take control and learn how to manage your symptoms. Our Allergists, who work hand-in-hand with our ENT specialists, will tailor a treatment plan suited to your lifestyle and needs.
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