The only way to know for sure if you have allergies—no matter the season—is to be tested. Seasonal allergens are typically easy to test for, using a skin test where a tiny bit of allergen is poked or injected under the skin and the size of the resulting welt (typically a red bump) indicates how sensitive—allergic—to an allergen.

What are symptoms of Fall allergies?

At risk of sounding like an antihistamine commercial… Fall allergies come with the typical highly annoying symptoms that might be confused with a cold. Sneezing, runny nose, nasal/sinus pressure or congestion, watery and/or itchy eyes, cough, sore or scratchy throat, cough, dark “circles” below the eyes, and changes in senses of taste or smell, can all be allergy symptoms. [1] If you have asthma, allergies may also make your breathing worse.

Which allergens are common in Fall?

Well, it depends on where you live. Different trees, plants, and therefore pollens, are present in different geographic regions. The allergy testing done by a local allergist will be specified to the region you live in—this is why a friend and I have suspicion that I’m allergic to something in the San Francisco Bay area in Fall, but my central-Canada-Prairie-tundra allergy tests don’t show I’m allergic to anything but dust! So, it’s possible you do still have allergies to allergens in other parts of the world (or… that you’re just not allergic to stuff). Here are some common (general) allergens in the Fall-time.

The most common allergens in Fall are ragweed, other weeds, and molds. While what type, exactly, will vary from place to place, here are the most common [2]:

• Ragweed: Did you know ragweed’s pollen can travel as far as 400 miles away from the plant? So, even if you don’t think there’s ragweed allergen nearby… In fall, there probably is.
• Weeds: Weeds and their pollens can come in all different shapes and sizes, and cause fall allergies to act up.
• Molds: Molds are present both inside and outside, when dampness creeps into the environment. In Fall, those lovely leaves that fall down begin to decay. Mold spores can also travel like pollens do, and unlike pollens, they do not freeze and die. Molds often lay dormant through freezing Winter months and reappear in the Spring—double whammy.

How are seasonal allergies diagnosed and managed?

An allergy test can help you pinpoint which exact allergens you are allergic to. While skin tests are reliable, in some cases, doing an allergy blood test may also be recommended by your doctor. Often, Fall allergies may be diagnosed based on symptoms alone, but sometimes, the more information you have, the better, in assisting you in avoiding allergens if at all possible.

Seasonal allergies may be treated with medicines (like over the counter antihistamines), nasal sprays, allergy shots, and other methods. Saline sinus rinses are cheap and safe methods to deal with nasal congestion, although they often aren’t the most comfortable experience, they can help with rinsing seasonal allergens out of nasal passages. Showering and changing clothes after coming inside from being outdoors can help to rinse pollen off of your body, decreasing the time you are exposed to these allergens. Keeping doors and windows closed, as well, can help keep your home allergen-free.

If you have other allergies or asthma in addition to seasonal allergies, a food allergy medical ID bracelet or asthma medical ID may be important to wear to keep you safe in an emergency.