Leaves are beginning to change, the temperatures are dropping, and pumpkin spice is everywhere. All of that can only mean one thing – fall is here! Fall is a time that people look forward to all summer long, but for asthma and allergy sufferers, fall brings a whole new set of problems. The triggers for asthma and allergy are different in the fall than they are in the spring and summer. Warmer seasons bring blooming flowers and trees, fresh cut grass, and so much more, but what triggers these irritating symptoms during autumn?
Triggers
There are a few main triggers in the fall that can irritate both allergies and asthma. Those triggers include:
- Ragweed – did you know that 75% of people who suffer from seasonal allergies during the spring and summer are allergic to ragweed? This common allergen blooms during the fall months and irritates a majority of seasonal allergy sufferers. If you don’t live in a region where ragweed grows, that doesn’t mean you can’t be affected. Ragweed travels hundreds of miles thanks to strong fall winds.
- Mold – mold thrives on moisture and darkness. While we usually associate mold with indoor spaces, fall weather creates the perfect environment for it to grow outdoors too. Those piles of leaves outside your home hold onto moisture and create a dark space that allows mold spores to thrive. When the leaves are blown around, mold spores go into the air and quickly trigger allergy and asthma symptoms for nearby sufferers.
- Dust mites – dust mites are among one of the most common triggers for asthma and allergies. Dust mites are everywhere, but as temperatures drop outside and you turn your furnace on for the first time in months, they are quickly circulated throughout your home. Dust mites build up in your furnace through the spring and summer and are then distributed throughout your home via heat vents when the furnace turns on.
Symptoms
Asthma and allergy symptoms are different for everyone, but the most common symptoms include:
- Congested or runny nose
- Watery and itchy eyes
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Itchy nose
- Sneezing
- Shortness of breath
Diagnosis and Treatment
Allergy and asthma are initially diagnosed based on your symptoms and what triggers those symptoms. When your symptoms appear suddenly and interfere with your daily life, it’s essential to get diagnosed and treated quickly. Your local urgent care center is equipped with the right tools and highly trained staff to evaluate, diagnose, and develop a treatment plan to manage your symptoms for quick relief. For long term treatment, you may be referred to an asthma or allergy specialist, but there’s no reason to continue suffering while you wait for an appointment!
Call or stop in a nearby urgent care center today to get your asthma and allergy symptoms under control this fall. Urgent care centers can also administer a flu shot and COVID-19 testing during your visit!