Most associate the sneezy, itchy skin, sore throat symptoms of allergies with the spring season. However, pollen from blooming flowers or growing grass can fog the brain, making people who suffer from allergies not even realize that they can experience symptoms in the fall season as well. While the symptoms are similar or even the same, the causes are different and can be mistaken for the flu or other cold-weather ailments. Greenville Health Care, your local urgent care Greenville NC is here to explain fall allergies. 

Causes of Fall Allergies

• Ragweed pollen- Approximately 75% of people who suffer from allergies in the spring will be affected by this type of pollen as well. According to WebMD, during its season, one ragweed plant can release a billion grains of pollen into the air, which is just waiting to make you sneeze. 

• Mold and mildew- Being able to grow and thrive inside and out, mold and mildew is the second most common cause of fall allergies. Damp and dark piles of leaves and other composite or areas in the home can be growing grounds for mold and mildew.

• Dust mites- Beware: dust mites are microscopic anthropods that live off of the dead skin cells shed by the people who live in your home. While they are habitants in your home year-round, they can become disruptive when the windows and doors begin to close during the cooler months. 

• Back to school- While the actual act of going back to school doesn’t cause allergies in the fall, the classroom can contain many irritants that children haven’t been exposed to for the past few months such as chalk, dust, and classroom pets. 

Symptoms 

The common symptoms of allergies are runny, itchy noses, watery and itchy eyes, sore throat, and sneezing. However, those symptoms don’t differ between seasons, but some do. In the fall, urgent care Greenville NC sees many skin rashes, hives,under-eye circles or swelling, and even eczema, that all are considered symptoms of fall allergies. 

Managing and Preventing Fall Allergies

Allergies can be prevented by performing a deep seasonal clean of your household, car, and any other area that may have been opened and used throughout the summer or spring. Removing shoes before entering the house, cleaning air filters and ducts, vacuuming on a regular basis, and other simple yet effective cleaning habits are all great ways to prevent or manage fall allergies. 

Showering in warm rather than scalding hot showers can help skin stay calm in the case of rashes or irritation, and applying an unscented, moisturizing lotion to the damp body afterward works wonders. Humidifiers are also a great tool to keep the air from being too dry and make sure to drink plenty of water. 

If your allergies continue to be bothersome after these preventative measures, stop by your local pharmacy and select an allergy medication that suits your needs. If your symptoms seem to worsen over time, it is always a good idea to contact your local urgent care Greenville NC office at Greenville Health Care to get your situation resolved. 

Greenville Health Care

Greenville Health Care is a Family Practice and walk-in Medical Clinic dedicated to serving the citizens of Greenville and surrounding counties with excellent, timely, and compassionate patient care. Contact us today!