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How Long Do Fall Allergies Last?

Sep 12, 2017
How Long Do Fall Allergies Last?
With the end of summer comes fall and brings along the allergy season when people can suffer from fall allergies. The symptoms of allergy usually last until you are exposed to the triggers or allergens.

With the end of summer comes fall and brings along the allergy season when people can suffer from fall allergies. The symptoms of allergy usually last until you are exposed to the triggers or allergens. The relief from fall allergies also comes with the elimination of exposure to the susceptible allergens. The most common cause of fall allergies is the ragweed pollens which remain dispersed in the air roughly from August to October. Ragweed is a flowering plant and the ragweed pollens cause fall allergy exhibiting symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, watery eyes, headaches and itchy throat. The symptoms resulting from fall allergies subside when the pollen count in the air is reduced and thus the elimination of allergen brings the respite to allergic symptoms.

Pollens are the most common culprit behind fall allergies, and the crucial determining factor in predicting the acquisition of fall allergies is the innate susceptibility to certain allergens. The duration of suffering from fall allergies is thus, dependent upon pollen exposure as well as contact to the particular susceptible allergen. People who are allergic to specific pollen remain vulnerable to suffer from allergic symptoms as long as that pollen remains in the air. With the disappearance of the triggering factor from the environment, the allergic symptoms wane. A measure to determine the quantity of pollen in the air is the pollen count which can help predict the proneness to fall allergies. Checking the pollen count before going outdoors is a helpful preventive measure to avoid allergic symptoms.

The allergic reaction involves the production of various substances that try to evade the allergen and the symptoms that appear as a result of allergic response disappear with the abolition of invading allergen. The allergic response is thus dependent upon the length of exposure to an allergen which if avoided can lead to relief from the symptoms within few weeks. Allergic symptoms can last from few days to months depending upon the duration and quantity of allergen exposure. A person who is allergic to multiple allergens such as two or more types of pollens, molds and dust mite etc. can suffer from long lasting allergies or even year-round allergic symptoms. However, those who are relatively immune to acquire fall allergies get through with allergic symptoms in a few weeks.

Prevention and management strategies also influence how long the fall allergies may last. Use of anti-allergic medicines and products aide the allergic reaction to be mild and produce fewer symptoms that elude in a few days. Similarly, preventive measures that keep allergens away during the fall season, maintain the exposure to triggers minimal, and thus reduce the duration of any allergic symptoms.

Climate is one of the most important factors in determining the length of fall allergies. End of fall season and beginning of the new season changes the air quality which reduces the number of allergens responsible for fall allergies in the environment. During fall temperatures are usually below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, which favors the allergen disposal in the air. However, with the arrival of next season, when the temperature is maintained above 100 degrees for a few days, the allergic symptoms and fall allergies begin to end.

REFERENCES

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  4. Ragweed Allergy. (2017). ACAAI Public Website. Retrieved 25 August 2017, from http://acaai.org/allergies/types/ragweed-allergy
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