If your fall sniffles feel worse than usual, allergists say you are not imagining it. Several forces are making autumn allergy season longer and harsher.
Ragweed Season Is Stretching Out
Ragweed is the biggest fall allergy trigger, and researchers say its season now runs weeks longer than a few decades ago. Warmer falls delay the first frost that kills ragweed, so pollen keeps flying deep into October. One ragweed plant can release a billion pollen grains per season.
Mold Joins the Attack
Fallen leaves trap moisture and grow mold, and the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America names mold a top fall trigger. Raking launches those spores into the air right at breathing height. Allergists say wet autumns make it worse.
What Allergists Recommend
The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology advises checking daily pollen counts and keeping windows closed on high-pollen days. Showering after time outdoors keeps pollen out of bedding. Allergists say antihistamines work best when started before exposure, not after.
When to See a Doctor
Allergists warn that fall allergies can mimic colds but last for weeks instead of days. If over-the-counter options fail or you develop wheezing, the ACAAI recommends seeing an allergist about prescription options or immunotherapy. Do not tough out breathing trouble.
Sources: American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology; Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
