Julia Davila-Lampe/Getty Images By Colleen Stinchcombe , SELF Nothing says fall like cozy sweaters, warm cups of tea, and, for some...
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| Julia Davila-Lampe/Getty Images |
Nothing says fall like cozy sweaters, warm cups of tea, and, for some people, a runny, itchy nose. Or swollen, watery eyes. Or other allergy symptoms. Unfortunately, autumn, that beloved season full of great activities (apple picking!) and even greater drinks (cider!) can wreak complete havoc on some people with seasonal allergies.
Allergies happen when your immune system reacts to typically harmless substances as if they’re dangerous intruders, according to the Mayo Clinic. In response, your immune system releases the chemical histamine, which gives rise to allergy symptoms, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI). These symptoms can include the aforementioned irritated nose and eyes, but they can also become dangerous if, say, you have asthma, and allergies trigger an asthma attack. This is known as allergic asthma, and it’s a beast.
The good news is that there are tons of ways to handle fall allergies. Some tips apply no matter what you’re allergic to, and others are pretty specific to certain allergens. Either way, the following expert-approved list has good ways to start getting your fall allergies under control.
1. Know which allergens are most common in the fall.
One of fall’s main culprits is ragweed, a plant that produces a massive amount of pollen in the fall, Alice Hoyt, M.D., an allergist in the allergy and clinical immunology department at Cleveland Clinic, tells SELF.
Mold is another big one because it’s especially prone to accumulating in fallen leaves during autumn, Dr. Hoyt explains. When you rake (or, ahem, jump into) leaves, mold spores release into the air and can cause allergy symptoms.
Then there are dust mites. As Dr. Hoyt explains, these microscopic, “nasty little creatures” love to live in anything upholstered in your home and feed off your dead skin flakes (delicious). They can be year-round irritants, but as the weather cools, you’re likely to spend more time indoors and increase your exposure, William Reisacher, M.D., otolaryngic allergist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medicine, tells SELF. Also, dry winter air means people often crank up their humidifiers, Dr. Hoyt adds. Dust mites thrive in warm, humid environments.
2. Make sure your symptoms are actually due to allergies.
“Many
people can have symptoms in the fall, and [they’re] not related to
allergies,” says Dr. Reisacher. For instance, high concentrations of
mold spores can cause irritation even when you’re not allergic, he
explains.
If it helps, a major sign that you’re
actually allergic to something is experiencing itchiness, says Dr.
Hoyt, whether that’s in your eyes, nose, or skin. This is because the
histamine that your body pumps out when faced with an allergen creates
an itching sensation.
Still, you won’t know
that you’re allergic for sure unless you do allergy testing, Dr.
Reisacher says. There are different ways to do this, like with a “prick
test,” where small amounts of common allergens are placed just below the
surface of your skin to see if they cause a reaction, blood drawing,
and more.
It may seem pointless to schlep
yourself to an allergist for confirmation of something you think you
already know, but if you can do it, you should, Dr. Hoyt says. Figuring
out what’s causing your allergies can help you better safeguard
yourself. Here’s everything you need to know about allergy testing so that you’re prepared.
3. Check the pollen and mold counts before you head outside.
There
are tools you can use to keep tabs on how much of these allergens are
floating around, just waiting to ruin your day. For instance, if you
search for your location in Accuweather’s database,
then click the little icon at the top right of the page that says
“allergies,” you’ll get a specific report on pollen and mold counts in
your area.
4. Wear protective accessories like a hat and sunglasses, too.
If a ton of pollen and mold spores are wafting through the air, they can get all over your hair, Dr. Hoyt says. Hence the hat.
The
same goes for eyewear: Wearing glasses or sunglasses might help prevent
airborne allergens from affecting your eyeballs as much. Just make sure
you wash the glasses off frequently, Dr. Hoyt says.
5. Use a face mask when you rake (or play in) the leaves.
No, not a skin-care face mask, although that would be interesting. Instead, Dr. Hoyt recommends that you wear an N95 mask
if you’re going to be raking leaves (or doing other yard work). These
masks help prevent tiny mold particles and other allergens from entering
your airway while you’re raking. Try finding them at your basic
hardware store or online.
6. Keep doors and windows closed when your allergens are plentiful, and use filtration systems, too.
Shutting
doors and windows unless absolutely necessary is Fall Allergy 101, and
it’s good to try to filter your home’s air on top of that. “Even a basic
air condition filter will filter out the large pollen particles,” Dr.
Reisacher says. Of course, the fall weather may be too cool for an air
conditioner. In that case, look at HEPA (high efficiency particulate
air) filters, particularly for your bedroom, he says. These are designed
to filter out really small air particles and allergens.
7. If you can, wait until after 10 A.M. to go outside.
Though this varies, pollen counts tend to be highest between 5 and 10 A.M., according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
Obviously, some activities—like going to work—may require you to leave
your home early in the morning. But if you’re able to choose when to go
out for something like errands, waiting until at least the afternoon may
be your best bet, Dr. Reisacher says.
8. Remove your “outside” clothes when you get home.
Being
outside is like being in Las Vegas: What happens there doesn’t stay
there, so pollen, mold spores, or other allergens can hitch a ride on
your clothes and into your home. With that in mind, when you’re home,
try to wear clothes you’ve designated as indoor-only, Dr. Reisacher
says.
9. Clean your home at least once a week.
Great
news for the fastidiously neat among us: Cleaning your home at least
once a week is a great way to get rid of allergens such as pollen, dust
mites, and mold spores, according to the AAAAI.
In
an ideal world, this would be a top-to-bottom clean involving every
room in your home, the organization explains. Can’t swing that?
Relatable. At least focus on your bedroom and other spaces where you
relax most often since dust mites love to burrow into items like your
bed, upholstered sofas, and other spots great for lounging. Here are some useful tips for cleaning when you have allergies.
10. Shower (and possibly wash your hair) before bed.
Cozying up with allergens doesn’t exactly lead to restful sleep,
so you should consider taking a shower before you to go bed, Dr. Hoyt
explains. Washing your hair can also be a good idea, depending on how
much your allergies are acting up and how that might affect your
hair-care routine (which we all know can be a delicate, magical
balancing act).
11. Use allergy-proof covers for your bedding, and wash your sheets at least once a week.
Allergy-proof
covers for objects like your mattress, comforter, and pillows can be
very effective in protecting from allergens like dust mites, Taha
Al-Shaikhly, M.D., an allergy and immunology fellow at UW Medicine,
tells SELF. The covers are widely available, so here’s how to choose the best ones for you.
Using
these covers doesn’t mean you can skip on laundry day, unfortunately.
At least once a week, you should wash your sheets, pillows, and blankets
in hot water, the AAAI says. Don’t hang them up to dry outdoors where they can collect allergens!
12. Get a dehumidifier for your bedroom.
If
you have a dust mite allergy, humidifiers aren’t your friend. To avoid
creating the perfect environment for those little mites, experts
recommend keeping the humidity in your home below 50 percent,
says Dr. Al-Shaikhly. Consider getting a dehumidifier for important
areas, like your bedroom. If your dehumidifier doesn’t also measure and
display the humidity in your home, you can buy a device called a
hygrometer to do just that.
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