The leaves are changing, the temperatures are dropping, the holidays are right around the corner…and, with the same punctuality of the falling leaves, you’ve started sneezing.

If the fall allergy season has got you down, it’s time to do something about it. The first step to managing your autumn allergies is determining what is triggering your symptoms. From there, you can create a strategy for surviving until winter.

What Are Common Fall Allergy Symptoms?

Fall allergies often show up in the same way as spring and summer attacks. Watering eyes, a stuffy or runny nose and sneezing are just a few signs you are suffering from an allergy attack. If you seem to have an endless cold that is triggered by going outdoors, your symptoms are likely allergy related.

What Causes Fall Allergies

The tree pollen may have calmed down, but that doesn’t mean you can expect to be allergy-free.

On the contrary, these three common fall allergies can create problems for your eyes and throat.

Mold: Outdoor molds tend to thrive after the first frost of the year, living in all manner of places outside. Mold can be found in soil and leaves, but are also airborne.

Ragweed: A full 75 percent of people who suffer from springtime allergies are also sensitive to ragweed. This clever allergen can travel hundreds of miles in the wind.

Dust Mites: Dust mites thrive in the fall because as they come alive in the summer, they set up shop in your heat ducts. The first time you fire up your heater in the fall, they make their way into your home.

How to Avoid Fall Allergy Season Triggers

While allergens are too small to be seen, there are some ways to avoid them. Clean your air ducts inside before turning on the heat and remove all dead and dying leaves from your yard as soon as possible. You may also find it helpful to plant cover crops in your yard that stop ragweed from thriving. Dry your clothes inside instead of hanging them outside on a clothesline and wear a face mask when you’re raking leaves.

Have the fall allergy blues? There’s no reason to suffer! With these helpful tips and some over-the-counter allergy relief, you can enjoy pumpkin pie season with the best of them.

If over-the-counter remedies just aren’t doing the trick, it might be time to visit the doctor.

Physicians Urgent Care can help you battle your fall allergies and get back to enjoying this beautiful season. Visit one of our locations today (no appointment necessary) and get the care you deserve.

You (and your allergies) will be glad you did.