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The arrival of spring is traditionally associated with allergies, but the fresh air brought on by the cooler fall weather doesn’t necessarily mean everyone can breathe a sigh of relief.
For many with allergies, fall is peak season now likely to be exacerbated by a warming planet. Allergy season is starting earlier and lasting longer, which scientists attribute to several causes, including the climate crisis.
Because temperatures stay warmer for longer and the first frost is delayed, plants that release allergens have more time to grow. Additionally, higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere due to fossil fuel use and emissions further stimulate plant growth, producing more pollen. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 1 in 4 adults in the United States suffered from seasonal allergies in 2021.
It is good to know what causes fall allergies and what symptoms people can expect. Since respiratory viruses also occur in colder weather, how can people distinguish between seasonal allergies and a virus? What can be done to diagnose specific triggers, and how can people get relief from their symptoms?
To help us answer these questions, I spoke with CNN wellness expert Dr. Leana Wen. Wen is an emergency physician and adjunct associate professor at George Washington University, and she previously served as Baltimore’s health commissioner.
CNN: What are common triggers for fall allergies?
Dr. Leana Wen: The most common culprit is a plant called ragweed. Ragweed grows wild almost everywhere in the United States. One plant can release 1 billion pollen grains. Ragweed season typically begins in August and peaks in September, but can last until November.
Other plants that can cause fall allergies include burning bush, burdock, pigweed, wormwood and tumbleweed. Mold can also cause seasonal allergies. In the fall, mold can accumulate in fallen leaves and hay bales, as well as indoors in damp places.
CNN: What symptoms should people expect?
woman: Common symptoms include a runny or stuffy nose, sniffling, sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, scratchy throat and itching and burning sensation in the nose, mouth and eyes.
CNN: With respiratory viruses also occurring in colder weather, how can people distinguish between seasonal allergies and a virus?
woman: There is no simple answer. Allergies tend to follow a seasonal pattern and worsen at certain times of the year. Symptoms last for at least a week, usually longer. Many people experience the same symptoms year after year. Some symptoms more related to allergies than to colds are itching in the nose and throat and red and watery eyes.
Respiratory infections can also follow a seasonal pattern and tend to be more common in winter than in spring and fall, which are classic allergy season. An important distinguishing factor is the presence of fever. Seasonal allergies do not cause fever. They also tend not to cause full-body symptoms such as body aches and fatigue. And while people with allergies may develop a cough, the presence of a cough should remind one of respiratory infections.
People who have had allergies before often know what works to treat them. Relief with allergy medications is a good sign that the symptoms are due to allergies. People may also undergo tests for various viral infections. There is no laboratory test for many cold viruses, but there is for flu, Covid-19 and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). Some hospitalized patients may also receive a viral panel that includes a broader range of other respiratory viruses. The US government has just made a new round of Covid-19 home tests available for free.
It’s a good idea to sign up for the free tests while we have the chance.
CNN: How can you diagnose specific allergy triggers?
woman: Some people want to know exactly what is causing their allergies. They should contact their GP for a referral to a specialist trained in allergy and immunology. That doctor may perform a skin prick test, where he applies a small drop of various allergic triggers to your skin to see if there is a reaction. They may also recommend a blood test to look for antibodies to the allergen.
CNN: What should we know about allergy triggers that can cause problems all year round?
woman: Spring and fall are usually peak allergy season because they release a lot of pollen, but there are other triggers too. One to mention are dust mites, which are microscopic organisms that feed on house dust and humidity. They are a common type of indoor allergen and can cause symptoms year-round.
I have an allergy to dust mites and a very severe allergy to ragweed. So while I have allergy symptoms year round, they get especially bad in the fall.
Another category I want to highlight is food allergies. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 6% of adults and children have food allergies. These are different from seasonal allergies and can cause serious, even life-threatening reactions.
CNN: What treatments can help people get relief from their symptoms?
woman: There are several treatments that can help control seasonal allergies. To start, people should try to reduce exposure to the allergen. If the problem is ragweed, limit time outdoors when pollen counts are high, usually in the morning through early afternoon.
Change clothes when you come in after outdoor activities. Keep windows and doors closed in your home and close your car windows when driving. Dry laundry indoors instead of hanging on a clothesline outdoors.
Medication may include antihistamine pills and nasal sprays to help with stuffiness. There are many over-the-counter options, and some are only available with a prescription. People with severe symptoms may benefit from immunotherapy, also called allergy shots.
It is always advisable to consult your doctor or other healthcare provider before starting any new medication treatment. Some people respond well to over-the-counter options, while others may need a prescription medication or a combination of therapies.
Please note that just because a medicine is available without a prescription does not necessarily mean that it has fewer side effects. Diphenhydramine, an antihistamine, has a sedative effect and can be very dangerous if taken in large quantities. And many nasal decongestants have interactions with other medications and are not intended for long-term use.
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