Dry, warmer weather to contribute to allergies during fall season
SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, those are some allergy symptoms you may be noticing now. This time of year, white mold and ragweed are some allergens that could be impacting you.
Dr. Paul Judge, an ear, nose, and throat specialist with the St. Joseph Health System, says allergies are present throughout the entire year.
“I think, as we get into these longer summers, as we enjoy these long summer days, and we see this burden go up, more people are going to find that they do have an allergic response to some of this pollen and some of these triggers. Doesn't necessarily mean that they weren't susceptible before, just that the burden of disease has gotten higher,” said Judge.
He says he's seen more patients come in saying their symptoms used to be mild, and now they may have to be more intentional about rinses, changing clothes, and minimizing exposure to allergens.
Dr. Judge says some people, the impacts of allergies are so strong that they can't leave their home without a mask or filtration system, until the weather gets cold and plants die.
Lonnie Fisher, a meteorologist with the Northern Indiana National Weather Service, says colder temperatures kill off pollen-producing plants.
According to Fisher, climatologically, in the fall, the first average occurrence of 35 degrees or colder (Hard Frost) is October 8. In the past 10 years, it has averaged around Oct 18. In terms of a Hard Freeze, which is 28 degrees or colder, the first average occurrence is Oct 29. Over the past 10 years, it has averaged around November 3.
“Last year, it was November 21st that we had it. The year before was Halloween. The year before that, November 24th. So again it's going well into November,” said Fisher.
Fisher says drier, warmer patterns help everything thrive, and the allergens stay in the air. If you don't have a system that clears everything out, people suffer more, allergy-wise.
If you are finding your allergies are flaring up, here’s what Dr. Judge recommends.
“Decreasing exposure is a big thing. For most patients, just taking some over-the-counter allergy medicines to help manage their symptoms is going to be enough to help manage any exposure that they get. But as the pollen count goes up and as the burden of disease goes up, that may not be enough. So decreasing the amount of allergen burden that you're carrying around, either rinsing your nose out with a neti pot or a sinus irrigation system, sometimes washing clothes when you come inside after working outside or being engaged in outdoor activity, can also be helpful,” said Judge.
Here's how you can differentiate allergies from a sickness.
"Strong fever, something greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or something that causes muscle aches, fatigue, or something where you feel profoundly tired, that can definitely be influenza or COVID. Upper respiratory infections typically will come as a sore throat. You'll usually know where it's coming from. Kids are back in school, they bring the germs back home with them. If you find that you're having symptoms like a runny nose or runny eyes, etc, and it lasts for more than a few days, it's probably going to be more allergy. If you find that you're having high fever, general fatigue, you might wanna talk to your doctor," said Judge.
He says there are other sources of allergens present year-round–like dust mites or mold in the home. If you don't have a lot of relief, even after the plants die, he suggests seeing an allergist or healthcare provider.
According to a Purdue University study of Indiana's climate from 2018, climate change is “extending and amplifying” the growing season of plants in Indiana. This also goes for allergen–producing plants.
The study says warmer conditions and higher levels of CO2 cause plants like ragweed to grow more quickly and produce more pollen. Grass pollen also amplifies when there’s a higher concentration of CO2.