Avoid Asthma Triggers This Fall

Fall brings just as many allergens into the air as Spring does. As an asthma sufferer, it’s important to take precautions to keep yourself safe and avoid as many asthma-inducing allergy triggers as possible. Read through our list of tips to help you stay healthy this coming season.

What Causes Asthma Attacks in the Fall?

While it’s difficult not to enjoy the crisp air and vivid colors of fall, if you have asthma or other allergies, you might not be as eager to embrace the season.

Pollen, which is generated by ragweed and may travel great distances in the wind, is a major cause of allergy attacks in the fall. Mold from decaying leaves and moist spots where water collects is another catalyst. For people with asthma, these seasonal allergens may be accompanied by enduring indoor allergens such as dust mites, which are more prevalent when the heat is on, cockroach/insect droppings, and animal dander.

Why Does My Asthma Flair?

The body’s immune system overreacting to a material it incorrectly perceives as harmful or dangerous is the cause of allergic disease and asthma. Histamine is released as part of this inflammatory reaction causing the production of mucous and the narrowing of nasal passages and airways. The result can be a runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, itching, coughing, wheezing and for certain individuals a narrowing of the airways or an asthma attack.

Asthma is characterized by bronchial spasms and airway narrowing brought on by these substances.

How Do I Avoid Allergy Triggers?

There are many steps you can take to help avoid asthma attacks as a result of Fall allergens. You want to layer as many preventative measures as possible to build a defense against the environment. Some of the best tips we can offer include:

Monitor your area’s pollen and mold count.

There are many resources for this as well as the newest version of Windows that will warn you when the pollen count in your neighborhood is high. Avoid being outside for any longer than you must when the pollen count is high.

Wash your clothes after spending time outside.

While this may feel tedious, your clothes attract a significant amount of pollen while you’re outside. If you live in a more suburban or rural area where there is more nature and plants, you will want to take extra care. When you return from the outside, remove your clothes and store them in a sealed hamper before you can wash them. This helps you to avoid bringing in extra pollen from outside.

Keep your home’s windows closed.

While the Fall air feels nice and refreshing after a hot summer, and it may be tempting to invite some of the fresh air into your home, it’s best to keep your windows and doors closed. This helps reduce the amount of pollen that enters your home unfiltered. Your home’s air conditioner and heating system have filters that help reduce the spread of pollen, mold, and dust throughout your home. It’s also a good idea to make sure you clean/replace these filters at the correct intervals.

Invest in a home air purifier.

Modern air purifiers have automatic technology to determine the number of contaminants in your home’s air to turn on fans and filter out pollen and mold. There are many different makes and models, depending on your needs, room sizes, and budget. Make sure to do proper research into finding the right air purifiers for you. They can make a significant impact in your overall health and wellbeing by filtering and removing the particles that cause you to have asthma.

Bathe before going to sleep.

Along with washing your clothes, if you’ve spent a considerable amount of time outside this fall, it’s a good idea to bathe and shampoo before getting into bed, further slowing down the spread of pollen, mold, and dust that can get into your sinuses.

Contact Our Team

Do you have trouble managing your asthma and allergy symptoms during the fall? While we enjoy tailgates, cookouts, campfires, and football season, it’s important to take care of your health. Asthma can be debilitating when combined with severe allergic reactions to pollen, mold, and dust. A new course of therapy could be required. You can depend on the medical professionals and board-certified allergists at Allergy & Asthma Specialists to help identify your triggers and develop a personalized treatment plan Call (866) 966-0583 to make an appointment at one of the eight accessible offices in the Philadelphia region if you’re prepared to breathe easier this fall.

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