Common Fall Allergies You Probably Didn't Know About

When one season transitions into another, there are many changes happening in the air. This is why there are unique allergies you must think about every time the seasons change. While the spring is the most synonymous with pollen and seasonal allergies, autumn has its own irritants hiding in the air. There may even be some fall allergies you didn’t know existed.

Some of the most common fall allergy triggers include ragweed and its pollen, dust mites, mold, and mildew. Mugwort, seasonal scented lotions, and decaying leaves can also cause mild to severe fall allergies. Unseasonably warm weather can make fall allergies worse, as can keeping windows closed in the home without proper air circulation. A clean home with a good air filter can minimize many fall allergies.

When you don’t know what’s causing your seasonal allergies, it can be frustrating and downright unbearable. Below is a list of common fall allergies you might not know about, as well as situations that trigger many of them. Keep reading to help reduce your risk of allergies this pumpkin spice season.

Five Situations That Can Trigger Allergies In The Fall

1. Return To Work And School

A change in your environment is often enough to trigger some allergies. This is particularly true when the new environment is filled with people, and in an older building with questionable upkeep. 

The fall marks the return to school and work for many people. This change in routine and location can cause many allergies. Dust and mold allergies are particularly common when you return to a school or office environment. If you notice your symptoms tend to improve at night and on the weekends, your school or workplace may be to blame for your allergies.

2. Raking Leaves

Raking leaves is a fall landscaping chore that everyone living in a region with four distinct seasons knows all about. You might know the best methods for raking leaves, but few people know that raking leaves can trigger allergies.

Dead leaves, especially wet ones, harbor mold. Raking them sends mold spores, pollen, and other allergy-inducing particles into the air. If you suffer from seasonal allergies, consider wearing a face mask while raking leaves to reduce the risk of serious symptoms.

3. Unseasonably Warm Weather

Climate change is causing unstable and unpredictable weather. This is particularly noticeable during the shoulder seasons of spring and fall. It’s common to have warm snaps late in the year. These stretches of abnormal warm weather can trigger the release of pollen and make seasonal allergies more common.

If there is a fall heat wave in your future, keep an eye on the pollen counts and medicate accordingly.

4. Prematurely Closing Windows In The Home

If you don’t have an HVAC system or air purifier, then you want as much air circulation as possible. In the autumn, as cool winds enter the home, it’s normal to shut the windows. When you shut all your windows completely, however, you are left with stale air.

A lack of ventilation can make several allergies worse, including dust mite, mold, and pet hair allergies. 

To reduce allergies caused by a lack of air flow, use ceiling and oscillating fans to circulate air, and open up windows during the warmest parts of the day.

5. Lack Of Cleaning In The Home

Thorough cleaning is a great way to help alleviate allergy symptoms. Mold, pet hair, and dust mites can all spiral out of control in a dirty home. If you suffer from a dust mite allergy, wash your throw blankets and bedding weekly. 

Find ways to reduce pet hair in your home through cleaning, and wipe wet surfaces and spills to reduce the risk of mold growing in your home this fall.

Seven Fall Allergy Triggers To Watch Out For

1. Ragweed

Of all the fall-specific allergy triggers, ragweed is the most common. For many allergy sufferers, it is also the most severe. Ragweed is a common flowering plant and a member of the aster family. 

Unlike many flowers that release pollen in the early spring, ragweed releases its pollen in the late summer and early fall. Pollen from this plant can cause sneezing, watery eyes, and respiratory issues.

Avoiding nature and the outdoors in general when fall pollen counts are high is a great way to minimize your exposure to this allergen. Many who suffer from a ragweed allergy opt to use an antihistamine to reduce symptoms when pollen counts are particularly high.

2. Mold And Mildew

Mold and mildew can occur at any time of year, both indoors and outside. In the fall, mold spores are particularly common due to decaying natural materials on wet ground. Dead leaves and decaying wood can produce a great deal of mold. 

When you use a rake to pick up leaves, the mold releases spores that you can inhale, especially if you are in close proximity. 

Mold and mildew can also grow inside the home. In the fall, as you close up your home, you may experience allergy symptoms due to poor air circulation in the house.

3. Animal Hair

If you have a pet that sheds lots of hair, it’s common to start experiencing more severe allergies in the fall. Pets spend more time outside in the summer months, and air flow in the home is usually better.

As your pet sheds more hair inside the house and the windows stay closed, pet allergies quickly worsen. This is why it’s important you find ways to reduce pet hair in the home whenever possible.

4. Dust Mites

Dust mites are microscopic pests that feed off dead skin cells. They are commonly found on your bedding, in blankets, and on couches, as this is where dead skin cells collect. They can reproduce quickly, especially if you don’t wash your sheets regularly.

While dust mites can be a problem any time of year, they tend to be worse in the fall and winter. These are seasons when people spend more time indoors lounging under the covers.

The best way to reduce dust mite allergies in the home is to increase the frequency with which you wash your sheets, pillow cases, and throw blankets.

5. Mugwort

Mugwort is a lesser-known fall allergy that can cause irritating symptoms in those who are allergic to it. The mugwort plant has several medicinal benefits and is found in many natural remedies, but its pollen can be a real problem for allergy sufferers.

This perennial releases most of its pollen at the end of the summer and into the fall. Like ragweed, mugwort is a plant that causes more issues at the end of the year rather than at the start of it. 

6. Scented Soaps And Lotions

Fall is a season of smells. There are cooked apples, refreshing pine and cinnamon, and the omnipresent pumpkin spice. These fragrances find their way into hand soaps and lotions that many people use in the autumn. While these fragrances are festive, they can also cause skin allergies.

Anyone with sensitive and eczema-prone skin should avoid using perfumed soaps and lotions, especially cheap seasonal products with strong aromas. They tend to dry out the skin and can also irritate it in other ways.

7. Cocklebur

Another seasonal allergy that is particularly prevalent in the fall is cocklebur. This is an invasive plant that can quickly spread in the wild. While it has some medicinal anti-inflammatory properties, it often does more harm than good.

This plant releases wind-borne pollen in the fall, which can trigger allergies in anyone with pollen sensitivity. This plant is common throughout the Americas and thrives in wild and moist climates, particularly in regions with open space and untamed woodlands.

Final Notes On Fall Allergies You Might Not Know About

If you have seasonal allergies, then you know that spring isn’t the only season you need to worry about. Summer, winter, and even the fall present unique and annoying allergy triggers. Some common allergies people experience in the autumn include ragweed, mold, pet hair, and dust mites. Some lesser-known but equally potent allergens include mugwort and cocklebur pollen. Even seasonal scented soaps and lotions can cause allergic reactions for those with sensitive skin.

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