Every fall you walk outside, admire the beautiful colors, kick around a few leaves with your feet and breathe in that warm, earthy scent. And then – you sneeze.

Fall allergies are a common affliction for millions of Americans and can cause unnecessary suffering. Apart from the sneezing and congestion, some allergy medications have side effects of drowsiness and foggy thoughts.

What Are the Symptoms of Fall Allergies?

Symptoms can include:

• Itchy, watery eyes
• Sneezing
• Congestion
• Wheezing
• Itchy skin
• Rash
• Headache

What Causes Fall Allergies?

Fall allergies are most commonly caused by ragweed , mold or dust mites. Ragweed is by far the most common cause of fall allergies, as it is produces millions of particles that can travel hundreds of miles. All the leaves on the ground can get moldy when it rains in the fall. Mold both inside and outside can trigger allergies and asthma. When you turn your heat on in the fall be sure to clean out your air filters and vents to prevent dust mites from flooding into your house.

How Can I Avoid Fall Allergies?

You can avoid seasonal allergies by limiting your exposure to the outdoor air and pollens.

• Keep your windows closed in the house and car.
• Wear a face mask if you must be outside for long periods of time doing yard work or exercising.
• Remain inside on especially windy days.
• Use your central air system.
• Wash bedding and curtains often. Don’t hang them outdoors to dry.
• Shower at night to avoid transferring pollens onto your bedding.
• Vacuum frequently and use a vacuum with a HEPA filter
• Install a HEPA filter in your house.
• If you have an outdoor pet, bathe in frequently or start keeping it inside.

How Do I Relieve My Fall Allergies?

There are many ways to relieve allergy symptoms. Antihistamines and decongestants can relieve itchiness and congestion. Eye drops can relieve itchy, watery eyes. Be careful of over the counter nasal sprays as they can cause a physical dependency, making you need more and more. For severe allergies, your doctor may want to give you a shot on a regular basis. Steroids can be taken orally, as a nasal spray, eye drops or inhaled, and would be prescribed by a doctor. Natural treatments often contain no negative side effects and can be beneficial for your seasonal allergies.

http://www.webmd.com/allergies/guide/default.htm

Written by Gloria Price for MicroNutra Health™

This entry was posted on Sunday, January 13th, 2008 at 10:30 am and is filed under Allergies, Seasonal Allergies. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.