How to Treat and Avoid Fall Allergies

Most people think of spring and summer as the worst allergy seasons, but fall is just as bad.

One of the worst outdoor allergens in autumn is ragweed, which gives a lot of people "hay fever". Watery eyes, runny noses, itchy ears and blocked sinuses are just a few of the symptoms of hay fever. Before you go to the doctor complaining of a common cold, consider the fact that you might just have allergies.

Another common fall allergen is mold and mildew, which form on dead leaves and are blown around in the wind. Autumn's dry air is a prime carrier for mold spores, pollen and dust. The humidity is gone, so lighter particles are free to blow themselves right into your body.

Dust is a third allergen that rears its ugly head during the fall season. Heaters that haven't been used since early spring have collected dust, and central heating filters haven't been changed.

Try an over-the-counter allergy medicine like Benadryl, Claritin or Tavist; they work wonders for many allergy sufferers, and there are also over-the-counter eye drops and nasal sprays you can try. If these don't work, go ahead and consult your doctor to see if you really do have allergies. I've found that prescription Allegra works wonders, and my mom uses a prescription eye drop called Livostin.

As far as what to do to avoid fall allergies in the first place, try the following:

-- Cut down ragweed in your yard, and avoid outdoor activity when the pollen count is high, like on breezy, dry afternoons. A good time to be outside in the fall is after a rain, when the pollen and dust has been tamped down.

-- If you have to rake or blow leaves, wear one of those medical masks. You can find them at your local Rite Aid or CVS.

-- Dehumidifiers are great not only for keeping your skin healthy in dry weather, but also for keeping mold and dust at bay.

-- Don't forget about driving in your car -- keep the windows rolled up when you're driving in the country, and if you have to use the air conditioner, hit the re-circulate button so you're only breathing air from inside the car.

-- And, as always, keep your house clean and free of dust and animal dander.

If you're unsure if it's "safe" to go outside during fall's allergy season, log onto aaaai.org and click on "Pollen Counts" before leaving the house. They update it daily and you can check the "danger level" for your region (U.S. only).