How to Survive Fall Hay Fever: Part 6 of 7

Follow this 7-part series to learn to better cope with Fall Allergies & Allergic Rhinitis.

Fall allergy season is on its way well underway. For those with allergic rhinitis (hay fever) life can become miserable pretty quickly. With the arrival of all that beautiful fall color and cooler temperatures comes an increase in the 17 varieties of ragweed; three out of four people who are allergic to pollen are also allergic to ragweed.

Ragweed is a hardy annual and thrives in locations where turf grasses and other perennials haven’t taken root: particularly along riverbanks, in vacant lots, and on the side of the road.

One ragweed plant can produce an incredible one billion grains of pollen. And unfortunately, it doesn’t drop harmlessly to the ground; it tends to remain aloft in the breeze. Pollen has been found hundreds of miles out to sea and 10,000 feet up in the atmosphere.

Hay fever, like all allergies, is caused by a “glitch” in the body’s immune system. When normally harmful foreign substances like bacteria and viruses enter, the body tries to attack and neutralize them.

Unfortunately, the immune system in those with allergies reacts the same way to normally harmless substances like tiny weed pollen grains. The most intense period for this excess ragweed pollen activity is August through October, until the first frost. In the Atlanta area, the season may extend a bit longer because of our mild temperatures.

With all the pollen in the air in the autumn, what can hay fever sufferers do to reduce their misery?

The mainstream thinking is that allergy sufferers should avoid going outdoors during morning hours because pollen counts tend to be higher then. But not all doctors agree with that theory: one doctor reviewed a half-century of medical literature and concluded there is no proof that hay fever sufferers can minimize their symptoms by staying indoors during certain times of the day.

There are other effective ways to curb symptoms of hay fever that include avoidance strategies and medical treatment.

Follow our six proven strategies outlined below for relief from seasonal fall allergy symptoms.

Strategy 6: Monitor Pollen Counts

Stay indoors as much as possible when the pollen count is especially high during fall hay fever season. Even if the scientists who studied this (mentioned earlier in this report) are correct, it still can’t hurt to err on the side of caution.

Most online and television weather reports include a pollen count as part of the regular forecast.

Or, just enroll at our website for pollen count advisories in the Atlanta area:
www.allergyatlanta.com/pollen-alerts

Conclusion

Our 7-part series concludes tomorrow.

Top Allergy Doctors

For a complete evaluation of your symptoms and quick relief, schedule an appointment with Allergy & Asthma Consultants. We have five convenient offices in the metro Atlanta area with a variety of available times — even same day appointments.

Our medical staff includes three award winning, board-certified allergy doctors, each with more than 25 years experience: Dr. Paul S. Rabinowitz, Dr. Mark D. Livezey, and Dr. Glen L. Nadel.

More than just a motto, we believe we are Big enough to cure, small enough to care.

Call Allergy & Asthma Consultants today for the best allergy, asthma & immunology care.

Links to Other Parts of This Series

Part 1 Intro to Series

Strategy 1: Create a Pollen Free-Environment

Strategy 2: Wash Up

Strategies 3 & 4: Eliminate Allergy Foods and Cover Up

Strategy 5: Rinse for Relief

Strategy 6: Monitor Pollen Counts

Conclusion: Plan B