Why are my allergies so bad this fall?

The transition from summer to fall means back-to-school time for many people, but for allergy sufferers, the seasonal switch means an unwelcome change in their symptoms. For those feeling the impacts of fall pollens such as ragweed and mold, you're not alone. According to the CDC, symptoms from allergic rhinitis, including sneezing, runny nose, and congestion, affect as many as 60 million people a year in the United States.

If you're in Indiana and Ohio, these effects can be compounded by weather patterns that alternate between wet and dry periods, triggering the release of allergens into the air. Dr. Thomas Huth, Vice President of Medical Affairs, mentioned in a recent interview with WHIO that "allergies may be aggravated by the dry weather as it dries out the ragweed plants and releases the pollen in large amounts this time of year."

In addition to ragweed, mold has been high for most of summer and into the fall. Dr. Huth explained that "at times we have had a lot of rain and the moisture will encourage mold growth, but then when we get into prolonged dry spells, that causes release of mold spores into the air."

As leaves dry out, die, and fall this season, that process also will release mold into the air, making it likely allergy season will continue to ramp up as we near fall.

What is ragweed?

According to Dr. Huth, ragweed is a daisy-like weed that peaks in its production of pollen in dry seasons. Ragweed is common in rural areas, particularly in midwestern states. Its pollen production reaches a high point in mid-September, spreading after drier weather patterns.

How do I know I'm experiencing allergy symptoms and not something more severe like COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a viral infection, and seasonal allergies are your body's immune response to allergens such as ragweed and mold. Although some symptoms might be similar, there are some key differences.

Symptom	COVID-19	Allergy
Cough	Usually (Dry)	Sometimes
Fever	Usually	Never
Muscle Aches	Usually	Never
Fatigue	Usually	Sometimes
Itchy nose, eyes, mouth, or inner ear	Never	Usually
Sneezing	Rarely	Usually
Sore Throat	Usually	Rarely
Runny or stuffy nose	Usually	Usually
Pink eye (conjunctivitis)	Sometimes	Sometimes
Nausea or vomiting	Sometimes	Never
Diarrhea	Sometimes	Never
New loss of taste or smell	Usually - sometimes not accompanied by runny or stuffy nose	Sometimes

Good news! Relief is coming.

Although it might feel like forever, Dr. Huth reassures us "allergy sufferers should see some relief when we see our first cold spell, which is when temperatures fall below freezing for at least 24 hours."

If you find you're struggling with the impacts of fall allergies, Reid Allergy is available to assess, test, and provide recommendations for your symptoms. Dr. Jason Casselman is a certified Allergist and Immunologist who specializes in testing for inhalant allergies. Request an appointment and find relief from your symptoms.