Diagnosing and Treating Allergies During the Fall Months

Don’t Let Allergies Ruin Your Season 

As we head deeper into fall, the temperature begins to cool down, the leaves fall to the ground, and the sun fades faster into the night sky. This time of year is allergy season. You have an allergy when your immune system reacts to a foreign substance, also known as an allergen. Allergies affect almost 50 million Americans each year. Age does not discriminate against them, and they can even develop throughout your lifetime. Sneezing, a runny nose, itchy eyes: the list of symptoms goes on. To alleviate the symptoms you are suffering from, it’s important to properly diagnose them. Besides the standard over-the-counter medication, there are different treatment options for relieving allergy symptoms including allergy testing, allergy shots, and allergy drops. 

Fall Allergies

Plants emit pollen at different times throughout the year, but some allergens that can trigger your symptoms during the fall are ragweed pollen, mold, and dust mites. One of the most common triggers for allergies is ragweed, which can pollinate into October. Even if it’s not close to where you live, ragweed can still travel hundreds of miles, causing reactions you thought you could avoid. In addition to ragweed, there are leaves that fall to the ground, collecting mold as moisture hits them. This mold can then be tracked into your home. Dust mites find their way into air filters and heaters, allowing for a reaction to occur within the comfort of your own home.

Symptoms 

The most common symptoms of allergies include sneezing, an itchy, runny, stuffy nose and watery or itchy eyes. These can bring great discomfort to those who experience them, which is why finding an effective treatment is important. 

Treatment Options

Before deciding on the most effective treatment for your allergy symptoms, it is important to conduct a detailed assessment, noting all potential triggers. From there, tests may be recommended by specialists to discover more triggers and choose the best treatment plan. Allergy testing gives insights to what triggers a patient’s symptoms. The allergies are indicated by bumps on the skin and patients may feel some itchiness as a result. While some people choose to relieve their allergies with over-the-counter treatments and medications, people who wish to cure their allergies for good can opt for in-office treatments including allergy shots and allergy drops. 

Allergy Shots 

Allergy shots help to increase resistance to allergens, reducing symptoms. Doses are increased with each visit over a six month period. Patients are able to administer the shots on their own thereafter.

Allergy Drops

Allergy drops are customized to treat the allergens that affect you. The first dose is administered in-office, but can be done wherever after your initial visit. The drops are placed under the tongue and work to reduce your immune system’s overreaction to allergens. 

Find the Right Allergy Treatment With Breathe Clear Institute 

Don’t let your allergies bring you down this fall. If your symptoms are affecting your quality of life, it’s time to get the relief you deserve. Take our allergy quiz and schedule an appointment with the specialists at Breathe Clear Institute. We will diagnose your symptoms and choose the best treatment option for you.

Learn More