Autumn has come and the summer flowers are gone. You are suddenly sniffling and sneezing when autumn is usually allergy-free. Is it a cold?
It’s possible, but it is also possible that it won’t. Seasonal allergies are still common throughout fall, which can reduce the season’s otherwise beautiful weather and stunning foliage. It might be difficult to identify the source of your fall congestion because the start of flu and cold season coincides with allergy season.
It might be helpful to understand the differences between fall allergies and a cold so you can treat your symptoms efficiently.
What Causes Symptoms Caused By Allergens In Fall?
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), seasonal allergies are caused by your immune system trying to defend against a substance you are allergic to. This causes histamine to be released, which can then cause unpleasant symptoms. Some types of mold, pollen and weeds are more common at the end of summer, which can impact your mood in fall.
These Allergens Are More Common In Fall:
- Ragweed is a common cause of fall allergies. Ragweed season begins in July and lasts until September. Your allergies may not be to Ragweed but rather to the pollen it produces. This pollen can travel hundreds of kilometres on wind. Seventy-five per cent of people allergic to spring plants also react negatively with ragweed.
- You might also be allergic to weeds. Some people might be allergic to pollen from the goldenrod, cocklebur and pigweed.
- Mold is another common trigger for fall allergies, aside from pollen. Mold and mildew can thrive in the right conditions and be spread by airborne microspores. These fungi thrive when it is cool and moist in autumn. They can be found in leaf piles, compost heaps, and some rooms of your home.
- Dust mites are a tiny arthropod that can be found in almost every home. They survive on human skin flakes, and any other debris that has been shed. The first few times your heater is turned on in the winter can cause them to come inside when the outside temperature drops.
Fall Allergies And Covid-19 Symptoms – How Do They Compare?
The symptoms of COVID-19 may look similar to fall allergies. These include a running nose, difficulty breathing and a stuffy or runny nose. There are some key differences between the two states.
Many cases of COVID-19 have a fever of at least 100.4 degrees. A fever is not an allergy sign.
A sore throat is another sign of COVID-19, although people with allergies are less likely than others to experience this condition. Iverheal 12 and Iverheal 6 can be life-saving medications for people suffering from asthma or any other Covid 19.
COVID-19 can cause stomach distress. This includes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and loose stool. gastrointestinal symptoms are rarely caused by allergic reactions. COVID-19 transmission is a crucial distinction between allergies and COVID-19. The COVID-19 virus can be transmitted from one person to another, but allergies cannot.
Fall Seasonal Allergies Solutions
You can take simple steps to reduce the amount of pollen in your home.
- It’s best to close the windows and remove your shoes when pollen counts are high (which they often are on sunny, windy days).
- You might need to shower after you get home. A HEPA filter can improve indoor air quality by getting rid of mold spores, pet dander, and other pollutants.
- You should vacuum your pets more often, preferably daily.
- To prevent pets from getting pollen on your pillows, keep them out of your bedroom. Also, wash your sheets often.
- It’s a smart idea to wear sunglasses and a cap when you go outside. This helps prevent pollen from entering your eyes.
- Another important resource is medication. Fluticasone and triamcinolone are both available intranasally without a prescription and can reduce nasal congestion and the symptoms of coughing.
- Eye drops can be used to relieve symptoms like irritation, redness, watering, and itching. These targeted approaches are more effective than oral antihistamine medication, which can reduce symptoms such as itching, sneezing and runny nose.
- Some people may find decongestants useful.
- A nasal irrigator can be used to clean your sinuses without the need for medication.
Falling Symptoms: When to See Your Doctor
You shouldn’t let your allergy issues interfere with your daily life. You can have your allergy symptoms evaluated by the doctor and run tests to determine what kind of pollen is causing them.
Your doctor may recommend allergy injections that contain small amounts of the allergens you are sensitive to for permanent relief.
Intranasal immunotherapy can be used as an alternative to injections to treat allergic reactions to ragweed, dust mites and northern pasture grasses such as timothy.
Conclusion
It can be difficult to distinguish between allergy and common cold. Because both can be experienced during certain seasons, it is easy to mistake a common cold for seasonal allergies.
You should speak to the best ENT specialist before drawing any medical conclusions.
