“The most common allergens in both spring, summer, and fall are pollen — tree pollen in the spring, grass pollen in the summer, and weed pollen, especially ragweed, in the fall,” says Naba Sharif, MD, who is board certified in allergy and immunology and a member of the Medical Staff of Penn Medicine Princeton Health. “Mold spores from fallen leaves and humid weather are also big problems for people in the fall. Reducing exposure is the key to preventing, or at least reducing, allergy symptoms.”
Dr. Sharif recommends keeping home and car windows closed if you are allergic to pollen or mold, especially when pollen and mold counts are high or when grass is being mowed. Pollen counts are heavier in the morning, so she recommends avoiding outside activity early in the day. She also advises removing your clothing and showering immediately after spending time outdoors when pollen is high, and wearing sunglasses to help prevent pollen exposure to your eyes.
Allergies Can Develop Later in Life
While some people exhibit signs of allergies in childhood, they can actually develop at any time in life.
“As you age, symptoms of a childhood allergy may get worse, or you may develop an allergy later in life,” says Dr. Sharif. “This may be due to exposure to an allergen over time, or a change in environment; for example, relocating to a location where an allergen is more common.”
If you experience sneezing, sniffling, stuffiness, and a scratchy throat at the same time each year, or have symptoms that do not resolve within a few weeks, it is very possible that you have an environmental allergy.
An Evaluation Can Help
Whether you are allergic to tree pollen, grass pollen, weed pollen, or another allergen such as dust mites, mold, or pet dander, consulting with your doctor is an important first step. They will probably suggest you begin by trying to resolve your symptoms using an over-the-counter antihistamine and/or nasal spray, but people with some medical conditions, such as hypertension or glaucoma, may be unable to take certain medications because they can increase blood pressure or intraocular pressure.
“If home remedies are not working, if you are unsure of whether you have an allergy and what could be triggering it, or if you are looking for a long-term solution to an allergy, seeing an allergist can help,” says Dr. Sharif.
“We can conduct tests to determine what is causing your allergy so you are better equipped to protect against it. We can develop a treatment plan to help control symptoms. We can also prescribe allergen immunotherapy (shots), which are very effective in building tolerance to allergens so you don’t have symptoms anymore and, therefore, don’t have to take medications for them.”