FALL ALLERGIES

 

Though the flowers are no longer blooming and the air has turned crisp and cool, many allergy sufferers get no reprieve during the fall months. The allergy triggers might be slightly different, but they can be just as misery-inducing as the flower pollen that fills the air in the spring and summer.

 

WHAT CAUSES FALL ALLERGIES?

Male plants release tiny cells called pollen into the air n order to reproduce. When these pollen or other allergy triggers get into the noses of certain people, their immune system mistakenly sees them as foreign invaders and releases antibodies - substances that normally identify and go after bacteria, viruses, and other illness-causing organisms. The antibodies attack the allergens, which leads to the release of chemicals called histamines into the blood. Histamines trigger the runny nose, itchy eyes, and other symptoms of allergies.

 

During the fall season, ragweed is the biggest allergy trigger. Though the yellow-flowering weed typically begins pollinating in August, it can linger well into the fall months. About three-quarters of people who are allergic to spring pollen-producing plants are also allergic to ragweed. Ragweed pollen can travel for hundreds of miles on the wind, so even if it doesn't grow where you live, it can still make you miserable if you're allergic to it.

 

Mold is another culprit, because its spores can easily get airborne. Mold thrives in damp areas, both indoors and outdoors. The piles of damp leaves that line yards and streets in the fall are breeding grounds for mold, as are damp basements and bathrooms at home.

 

Dust mites - microscopic, spider-like insects - are yet another common indoor allergen. They are most prevalent during the humid summer months, but can get stirred into the air the first time you turn on your furnace in the fall. From the air, dust mites can make their way into your nose, triggering sneezes, wheezes, and runny noses.

 

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF FALL ALLERGIES?

Allergy symptoms caused by ragweed, pollen, or mold are called allergic rhinitis (hay fever). These symptoms include:

 

1. Runny Nose

2. Watery Eyes

3. Sneezing

4. Coughing

5. Itchy eyes and nose

6. Dark circles under the eyes

People with allergies to ragweed can also develop an itchy throat and mouth - a condition called oral allergy syndrome (OAS) - when they eat banana, cucumber, melon, or certain other fruits and vegetables.

Airborne allergens also can trigger asthma, a condition in which the airways narrow, making breathing difficult and leading to coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.

Food reactions can lead ot hives, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and coughing. Sever reactions - called anaphylaxis - can cause the lips, tongue, or throat to swell and make breathing difficult.

 

HOW ARE FALL ALLERGIES TREATED?

To treat a runny nose, watery eyes, and itchiness, you can try one of these medications:

1. Prescription corticosteroids, usually given in the form of a nasal spray, reduce inflammation in the nose.

2. Antihistamines reduce sneezing, sniffling, and itching by blocking the action of histamine in the body.

3. Decongestants clear mucus out of the nasal passageways to relieve congestion and swelling.

4. Antihistamine/decongestants combine the effects of both drugs.

5. Antihistamine eye drops block the histamine that leads to the allergic reaction.

6. Allergy shots expose your body to gradually increasing doses of the allergen until you become tolerant to it.

 

Even though you can buy some allergy medications without a prescription, it's a good idea to to talk to your doctor first to make sure you choose the right medications. Some antihistamines can make you feel sleepy, so you need to be careful when taking them during the day. Read the packaging label - some of these products are only meant to be used for a few day.

 

source: www.webmd.com