I don’t know about you, but my fall sniffles have already started. Spring and fall compete for the title of Worst Allergy Season; fall has two main allergy triggers.
Allergy Trigger Number One: WEEDS
If you are a fall allergy sufferer, you’ve probably heard of ragweed. This plant is the number one cause of fall allergy symptoms in the United States! Unfortunately for the allergy folks, this weed flourishes in most parts of the country; its pollen can travel as far as four hundred miles. So even if there isn’t ragweed in your area, you can still be affected by the pollen.
Other problem weeds include mugwort, dock, sagebrush, Russian thistle, and amaranth. Most of the weed problems will disappear after the first frost; these plants do not typically survive a hard frost.
The worst time for pollen is early in the day — between five and ten a.m. If pollen is your problem, plan your outdoor activities for after ten o’clock.
Allergy Trigger Number Two: MOLDS
Mid-August starts mold spore season. Warmth and humidity help encourage mold growth in gutters, soil, vegetation, falling leaves, and rotting wood. Mold spore counts typically peak in the afternoon, so if mold is your problem, plan your outdoor activities for before noon or in the evening.
Molds can actually survive the first frost! Most molds simply go dormant during the winter and wake back up in the spring.
You can also find molds inside the home. Check your attic, basement, bathrooms, refrigerator, carpets, and upholstery for mold regularly to help keep your allergies in check.
Allergy Trigger Number Three: TREES and GRASSES
Yes, there is a third allergy trigger for fall; trees and grasses aren’t quite as bad as the molds and weeds. You may have allergy problems thanks to pollinating cedar elms, Chinese elms, September elms, and eucalyptus. Grasses like fountain grass and wild mustard are also making pollen in the fall.
So how do you keep the fall allergy triggers at bay? Wear a face mask when doing yard work, especially mowing the lawn and raking leaves. Keep leaves, grass clippings, and compost away from the house. And resist the urge to open your windows to air out the house — run your air conditioner until the first frost comes.